Advisory Board

Mr. Simpson is a mining executive with over 28 years of experience in operations leadership, mining engineering and project construction. Most recently, he was Chief Operating Officer of Torex Gold Resources where, over his nearly 6-year tenure, he oversaw the successful construction and operation of the ELG Mine in Mexico.

Prior to Torex, Mr. Simpson spent 11 years at Vale in various roles of increasing responsibility ending his tenure as General Manager of the Labrador Operations (Voisey’s Bay) in 2013. 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.

As a Co-Chair of JLR’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee, Laura endeavours to support her colleagues, both current and future, as JLR continues to grow and evolve in meeting the needs of those that identify with protected classes.