​Donald S. Jones is a professional mining engineer, with a career spanning mine operations, mine engineering, project management, regulation, academia and research. A native of Gander, NL, he earned his B.Eng. from Memorial and NSTC (now Dalhousie), followed by an MBA from Western and a Ph.D. from Dalhousie.

Don began his career with the Iron Ore Company of Canada in operations and engineering, later joining General Motors of Canada in a project management role. He then spent 20 years as professor and researcher at Dalhousie, focusing on mining methods, ventilation, rock mechanics, mineral economics and mine valuation. He also served 17 years in a regulatory role as director of mineral resources management with the Nova Scotia Department of Natural Resources.

Don is an active member and longtime council member of the Mining Society of Nova Scotia (MSNS).

Dr. Stephen Hardcastle has had a passion for mine ventilation for over 40 years that has served industry, regulators and governments alike. His career comprises 32 years with the federal government, CanmetMINING, before migrating to consultancy with BBE. He has always been driven by the need to protect workers while making mines more efficient, and by the conviction that decisions should be based upon sound science and economics. Throughout his career he has focused on providing quality and understanding to drive change in developing mine ventilation simulators, improving measurement and monitoring methods, and advancing technology in ventilation management and control systems. To this end he has led major collaborative research programs and application projects, and has become an authority on controlled recirculation, ventilation on demand (or for production), diesel particulate monitoring, and heat stress among others. Today he focuses on bringing ventilation and cooling expertise and solutions to mines throughout the Americas.