Simon Nickson graduated from McGill University in 1983 with a Bachelor of Engineering - Mining and subsequently worked for 7 years in various engineering and operational roles at mines in the Lynn Lake, Manitoba area. He completed a Master of Applied Science - Mining Engineering degree at the University of British Columbia in 1992 with a thesis on Cable Bolt Support Guidelines. Simon joined Noranda Inc. in 1993 and spent 9 years at the Noranda Technology Centre in rock mechanics, mine design and technology roles. In 2002, he moved to Vale’s Ontario Operations in Sudbury and spent 22 years in mines technology, business planning, operations and engineering supervision roles, including 6 years at the frood-stobie complex as engineering supervisor for the sublevel caving areas of the mine. Simon is currently retired from Vale after several years as principal engineer – mining with a corporate mining technology group.

Jim Gray has his roots in mining, being born and raised in Trail BC in the shadow of Cominco’s Lead Zinc smelter. He graduated with a BApSc in Mineral Engineering from UBC in 1975 and spent 27 years with Cominco subsidiaries. The first two were at underground operations as a contract miner, a shift boss, and a mine planner. Back in Canada, he joined Fording Coal Operations, and later to Fording’s Calgary office as manager of engineering, and in 2000 consulting with Cominco Engineering as principal engineer. After Cominco, Jim set up as an independent consultant.  

Since starting as an underground stope miner through to international consulting he has worked on a multitude of projects and seen several from exploration into production, most recently the formation of Moose Mountain Technical Services, a Co-Op of technicians and professionals. This has been his most rewarding experience, which provides camaraderie from building a successful team, and the opportunity for mentoring, coaching and encouraging others in their careers.