Advisory Board

Mr. Simpson is a seasoned mining executive and engineer with nearly three decades of experience in operations leadership, project construction, and mining engineering. He has served as Orla Mining’s President & Chief Executive Officer and a director since November 12, 2018.

Before joining Orla, Simpson was Chief Operating Officer at Torex Gold Resources, overseeing the construction and operation of the ELG Mine in Mexico. Prior to that, he spent 11 years at Vale, rising to General Manager of their Labrador Operations. Mr. Simpson also worked at McIntosh Redpath Engineering on mining studies for companies including Barrick, Freeport-McMoRan, CVRD, Rio Tinto, and Falconbridge, among others, where he gained global multi-commodity experience and perspective. Mr. Simpson holds dual degrees in Mining Engineering from the Technical University of Nova Scotia and in Physics from Dalhousie University.

Mr. Cormier has over 30 years of experience in the mining industry and was previously the Vice President of Development and Construction at Alamos Gold Inc. for the past seven years. Prior to that, he served as Project Manager at AuRico Gold, where he advanced development of the Young–Davidson mine.  During his career, Mr. Cormier has worked for Noranda Inc, Barrick Gold Corporation, SNC-Lavalin and Cambior Limited.  He graduated with a B.Eng. degree in Extractive Metallurgical Engineering from Laurentian University and received a Diploma in Technology, Management and Entrepreneurship from the University of New Brunswick. He is a licensed professional engineer in Ontario.

Bob Barclay graduated with a Bachelor of Engineering degree in Mining Engineering from McGill University in 1981.  Following graduation, he worked at the Con Mine, an underground gold mining operation in Yellowknife, which was then part of the Cominco Limited group of operations. At the Con Mine, he oversaw the mine ventilation system, worked in short and long range mine planning, served as production engineer, and worked on several projects involving infrastructure improvements to one of the mine’s shafts.  He was also a member of the mine rescue team at the Con Mine and served on the mine’s joint health and safety committee.

After five years at the Con Mine, Bob returned to McGill University to pursue a Master of Engineering degree in Mining Engineering, with specialization in applied rock mechanics.  Upon the completion of his master’s degree, he joined the Mining Health and Safety Program of the Ontario Ministry of Labour, now the Ontario Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development, in Sudbury, where he spent the next eight years serving in various engineering and program manager positions.  In 1995, Bob left the Ministry to join Trow Consulting Engineers Limited in Sudbury, where he oversaw several important materials testing, soil and rock mechanics projects.  In 1996, he joined the Ontario Operations of Inco Limited, now Vale Limited, in Sudbury, where over the next thirteen years, he served in several engineering and managerial roles in the areas of ground control, mines research, mines technical services, business systems and occupational health and safety.

In 2009, Bob returned to the Ontario Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development in Sudbury where he served as Provincial Coordinator of the Mining Health and Safety Program, as a member of the Mining Health, Safety and Prevention Review Secretariat, as a Mining Engineer, and as Senior Manager, Provincial Mining Health and Safety.  He retired from the Ministry in early 2022 and has since undertaken contract work for various Mining Sector firms.  Bob has been an active member of Professional Engineers Ontario since 1988.  Since 2023, he has served on the Advisory Board for the School of Engineering at Laurentian University and on the Board of Health for Public Heath, Sudbury and Districts.

Trang Tran-Valade is an award-winning, entrepreneurial executive with over 20 years of expertise in mining innovation. She holds a Bachelor of Applied Science & Engineering (Computer Engineering) and is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP) and Professional Engineer (P.Eng.) in Ontario.

Trang is known for building world-class technology management and product development teams, specializing in both start-up and scaled growth environments. Her proven fundraising and networking skills have enabled her to forge fruitful partnerships and deliver multimillion-dollar growth for organizations.

Her leadership journey includes serving as Director of Strategic Innovations and later President of the INOVINTA Group, where she led the creation of technology companies. Her focus has been on delivering advanced solutions for the mining industry, including inbound supply chain automation, energy and greenhouse gas reduction, and real-time air quality monitoring. Trang’s international mining experience spans North and South America, Africa, and Asia.

Currently, Trang is the Sector Leader for Energy & Resources at Stantec, overseeing the Mining, Minerals, and Metals practice globally. In this role, she leads the development and execution of growth and diversification strategies, provides guidance and project sponsorship on strategic initiatives, and works collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams to deliver optimal solutions for clients. Trang is recognized for her exceptional client relationship management, lead generation, and her commitment to fostering a culture of collaboration, integrity, and follow-through.

Trang is actively engaged in professional development associations and community groups. She serves as Central District Vice-President for the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum (CIM), Chief Warden for the Corporation of the Seven Wardens – Camp 22, and Advisory Board Member for the Laurentian University School of Engineering and Computer Science. She is also a long-time volunteer with Women in Science and Engineering. Honoured for her professional achievements and volunteer efforts, Trang has been recognized as one of Sudbury’s “40 Under 40” Award recipients, received the CIM President’s Role Model Medal for her outstanding example and early career accomplishments, and was most recently awarded the Bedford Canadian Young Mining Leaders Award.

Laura Grover, P.Eng., graduated from the University of Western Ontario in 2002 with a Bachelor of Engineering Science, Civil Engineering, with a concentration in Structural Engineering.  Since graduation, Laura has worked for J.L. Richards & Associates Limited (JLR) in their Sudbury office, where she is now a Principal Associate and Senior Structural Engineer. Her past positions at JLR include that of Manager of the Sudbury Industrial & Mining Department (2015 to 2018) and serving as a member of the company’s Board of Directors (2016 to 2023).  Laura’s role as an Executive Director included being the Director in Charge of both the Structural Engineering Discipline and JLR’s Mining Market.

For six years, Laura volunteered on the City of Greater Sudbury’s Downtown Farmer’s Market Working Group.  By the end of that term, the Group had worked with the City to successfully create an independent Non-Profit Organization to run the Sudbury Market.  Laura served as a member of the inaugural Board of Directors of the Sudbury Market.

Laura is also passionate about outreach initiatives to help students understand the opportunities that a career in engineering can offer.  She has participated in events such as the WISE Science Olympics and Take Your Kid to Work Day, as well as various opportunities to speak to students of all ages one-on-one and in other group settings.

Following a two-year term as Co-Chair of JLR’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee, Laura continues to support the work of JLR’s DEI committee to ensure that her colleagues, both current and future, that identify with protected classes have the supports they need to thrive as part of the JLR team.

Simon 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.

Robert Yeamans has been with Technica Mining since 2011, initially serving as Project Manager for mine development and construction projects across Northern Ontario. In 2019, he transitioned to corporate development, driving geographic expansion, new service offerings, and the establishment of offices in Val d’Or and Timmins. He also spearheaded the creation of an engineering team and assisted with the entry into surface mining.

Robert plays a key role in building partnerships with Indigenous communities in Ontario and Quebec, supporting Technica’s reconciliation initiatives. His prior experience includes engineering and operations roles with Cementation, Vale, and Hudson Bay Mining and Smelting.

He holds a BSc from Mount Allison University (1995) and a BEng in Mining from the Technical University of Nova Scotia (1998). Robert serves on the Board of Directors of the Ontario Mining Association, is Warden for Camp 22, and sits on the advisory board for Laurentian University’s Bharti School of Engineering.

Jon is President of Automate Mining, where he works as an independent consultant transforming mining for a sustainable future. Jon has dedicated his career to improving mine operations all over the world by bringing his passion for sustainability and his technical expertise together to help mining clients succeed.

Jon also led the Mining Business of Stantec consulting for over 5 years. During that time he grew the mining business from 300 people in 4 offices to over 1000 people in 20 offices and 6 countries. Through acquisitions and organic growth, he positioned his team to better assist clients based on services and geographies.

In operations he held many roles, such as GM Ontario Operations and GM Mines & Mill for Vale and Manager at different mines including Creighton. Jon demonstrated his commitment to his teams by consistently listening to and coaching them to success.

Mark is currently the President & CEO, and a Director, of Aurelius Minerals Inc., a TSX Venture Exchange listed gold exploration company with assets in Nova Scotia and Northern Ontario. He is also currently a director of Moneta Porcupine Mines Inc. and Maritime Resources Corp. Prior to this, Mark was the President & CEO and a Director of Stonegate Agricom, a phosphate development company from 2008 until 2014, which was successfully listed, in 2010, on the Toronto Stock Exchange with a $51.75 million initial public offering. From 1999 to 2008 Mark worked in mining finance at financial instituions in London, New York and Toronto. Following graduation from Laurentian, in 1996, Mark worked in Mines Technical Services at Inco Limited’s Ontario Division, where he qualified as a Professional Engineer in Ontario. From 1990 to 1996, through his undergraduate studies, Mark was fortunate to work in various operating roles in North and South America and Australia.

Mark holds his Bachelor of Engineering (Mining) from Laurentian University and a Master of Science (Finance, Regulation and Risk Management) from the ISMA Centre of the University of Reading.