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.