Mining’s critical role in Canada’s future

Q&A with WSP’s Andy Haynes, WSP Canada’s senior vice-president

For more than 30 years, Andy Haynes, WSP Canada’s senior vice-president, mining, has been immersed in the sector. Now, as the mining industry reaches a critical time in its history, striving to meet the demands for materials for a clean energy future, while trying to significantly reduce its own environmental footprint, Haynes reflects on the impact of WSP’s acquisition of Golder, the industry’s challenges ahead, and the path for success for mining in Canada.

The acquisition of Golder allowed WSP to expand its footprint in the Canadian market. How has the combined expertise from both companies allowed you and your team to better serve your clients?

> Golder brought strong client relationships in western Canada and Ontario that complemented the WSP relationships in Quebec. The combined client portfolios are now strong across Canada and are well-linked through a global mining platform.

Golder brought the industry’s best capabilities and capacity in several areas including mine waste management, water, and underground rock mechanics. Combining these and other areas of mutual capabilities in the mining sector and linking to WSP’s expertise in mineral processing and mine infrastructure has enabled us to assist clients to solve a broader portion of the challenges they face today and those they anticipate facing in the future.

Adding in the recently acquired environment and infrastructure team from Wood has further enhanced our teams, including environmental expertise to deliver industry-leading solutions for environmental protection and restoration measures.

Where have you seen the recent introduction of technologies and innovations that are improving operational efficiency?

> I think there are a few areas where we have seen new technologies that improve operations. The introduction of digital tools, such as 3D site mapping, has been an important development. It allows us to share operational designs with clients, identify risks, and create better overall site plans from an energy, transportation, and environmental perspective.

Advancements in water conservation, including tailings dewatering, has allowed the sector to take an important step forward in reducing the amount of water needed to mine.

We are seeing more and more electric vehicles utilized on mining sites throughout Canada in both surface and underground applications. This is allowing some operations to create a notable reduction in carbon emissions.

The progress the sector has made with deep and mass mining, including block caving, is also worth noting. This can bring significant improvements in operational efficiency, while also significantly reducing the surface disturbance compared to open-pit methods.

We have seen a real commitment from the mining sector to reduce its overall environmental footprint. What steps is the industry taking to continue that effort?

> Two things mentioned earlier that have been real areas of focus: water conservation and electrification. Mining companies have significantly minimized the impact their operations have on water resources, both in and around the mine, using new technologies and advancing the state of practice in water stewardship. Electrification brings obvious reductions in fuel use and carbon generation. Many companies are changing or exploring ways to reduce the impact of the transport of the mined products, largely through substitution of fuel types.

An ongoing emphasis on the life cycle impacts, including reclamation costs and end land use, means early decisions are made with the eventual closure of the mine in mind. We are seeing that mine design options with the lowest total environmental footprint are getting strong consideration during the project planning process.

There is a real commitment to ESG at the highest levels, including many companies linking executive performance to ESG performance. That is really the next step, looking beyond just the environment, and adding in social and governance factors as well. Leaders across organizations are expected to work diligently to improve the ESG performance of mine sites, finding ways to reduce impacts, and risk at all stages of project development and execution, but also to identify opportunities for improvements – thinking net positive, not just net zero.

The demand for mining in Canada is growing, as the need for critical minerals to supply low emissions technologies is rapidly increasing. Is the mining sector poised to meet this increase in demand? What is still needed?

> Canada is a resource rich nation, hosting many of the critical minerals and metals required for the green transition. The mining sector in Canada is well-positioned to support the growing needs of society through the responsible mining of these resources, following progressive protocols such as the Mining Association of Canada’s Towards Sustainable Mining or International Council on Mining and Metals (ICMM).

We recognize that the development of new resources is a choice that Canada makes, and our country’s permitting and review processes are intended to assist with making appropriate choices, such that new developments are those which are performed responsibly, and which provide appropriate long-term value to communities. However, many would argue that the permitting process is arduous, which can be a deterrent to potential developers who feel that the timeline between identifying a feasible resource and developing that resource can be so extensive and/or uncertain that development of resources outside Canada may become more attractive. Obviously, we desire a good balance between a process that protects the environment and provides long term societal value to Canada with timelines that are reasonable.

We have seen greater integration of Indigenous communities in mining projects across Canada. How does the sector continue to ensure that it is having a positive social impact on communities affected by mining operations?

> ESG frameworks, which focus on environmental, social, and governance factors, are critical to ensuring that projects have positive social impacts. The environmental aspect is well-advanced and understood, and now we are seeing an increasing focus on the social aspects of mining projects, which have the potential to create positive opportunities. Many mining companies have developed advanced community partnership models with Indigenous communities. These take various forms, but often include mechanisms where the local communities are active participants in the development and operation of mining projects. In fact, the mining industry is the largest private sector employer of Indigenous People, according to MAC’s 2021 Facts and Figures report. However, there is no doubt that this aspect is never a simple or standard approach. Only through direct involvement and consultation, aligning with United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), can we determine what constitutes a positive social impact for local communities.