Job Specification

Purpose :

To support the Regional Mineral Development Co-ordinator in the monitoring, stimulating and facilitating of advanced exploration and new mine development projects in an environmentally and socially sustainable manner.

To ensure the effective and efficient implementation of legislated and regulatory requirements associated with mineral exploration permitting, mine development and closure.

Key Responsibilities :

1. Mineral Development
- Provides advice and guidance to stakeholders on government permitting requirements for advance exploration and new mine projects as defined by the Mining Act & Regulations, potential economic development opportunities, market/supplier contacts and other aspects of mineral development (e.g. mining economics, incentive programs, methods, equipment & mineral processing)
- Liaises with federal authorities, in particular the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency (CEAA), and provincial ministries to effectively harmonize the applicable environmental assessment process for Mine Production and Advanced Exploration projects (NEW).
- Coordinates the review of project descriptions, environmental baseline work plans, exploration plans, exploration permits, closure plans, closure plan amendments and MNDM Class Environmental Assessments and assists Mine Rehabilitation and Compliance Section with site inspections and associated reports to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements.
- Reviews exploration plans and permit applications, as well as closure plans and closure plan amendments to ensure all requirements have been met; consults with Aboriginal communities to ensure their concerns are identified; works with companies and First Nations in an effort to mitigate any concerns; evaluate potential impacts to treaty and Aboriginal rights and potential accommodation of rights; and recommends appropriate terms and conditions for inclusion in exploration permits
- Conducts research, manages and implements projects and initiatives. Obtains information, reviews and assists in the evaluation of proposals to enhance mineral development services. Develops promotional tools (e.g. pamphlets, articles and presentations) and speaks at conferences, meetings and public education forums to promote region's mineral development to stakeholders and interest groups.
- Determines appropriate First Nations to be notified of exploration plans, permits and closure plans and closure plan amendments; assesses requests for withdrawals of mineral rights from lands identified as sites of Aboriginal cultural significance; and reviews Aboriginal Dispute Resolution applications.

2. Program Delivery
- Prepares a variety of reports, minister letters, issue notes and briefing materials. advises and makes recommendations to decision makers on matters associated with mineral production, development and processing.
- Participates in conferences and scans publications (e.g. company reports and trade magazines) and data bases for related information such as legislation changes, developments, innovations, trends and technological advances in order to stay current and at the forefront of trends and developments in these areas.
- Monitors, stimulates and facilitates mineral development in an assigned area, including maintaining general information and data on mining company activities and mining service industries in designated areas.

Knowledge / Skill :

- Discipline related to mineral exploration and development (e.g. mining, engineering, metallurgy & geology degree), mineral economics and investment, mining technology, mining environmental practices, mining sequence and related experience in the mining industry or mining regulatory environment to provide advice and recommendations to and liaise with mineral sector clients, decision makers, regulatory agencies, government staff and other stakeholders.
- Ministry strategic directions, mineral development programs, policies, related municipal, provincial and federal legislation and regulations having impacts on mineral development and designated area's mineral development activity to provide expertise and facilitate mineral development.
- Aboriginal peoples in Ontario including history, culture, Aboriginal & Treaty rights and mining related issues to broker mineral development projects.
- Region's mineral sector stakeholders (egg. mining companies, suppliers & regulatory agencies) mineral development activities and issues to provide expertise information to clients and make recommendations to decision makers.
- Regional and global mineral sector activities and issues to provide advice and expertise to stakeholders, clients and internal decision makers.
- Project management and research to assist in the implementation of implement initiatives, obtain information, review and evaluate information/proposals and monitor project deliverables.
- Recommend and apply risk assessment and risk management principles to provide authoritative advice and make recommendations with respect to the region's mineral development.
- Assist with program planning and administration to coordinate the Mineral development program in assigned regions.
- Computer applications and systems (e.g. GPS, internet, word processing, graphics, spreadsheets & specific ministry information systems) for communication, research, data management, presentations and positioning during field trips.
- Communication to exchange information, provide advice and recommendations, prepare reports, presentations and supervise staff.
- Safe travel to remote/bush field work locations and promote safe work techniques and methods (e.g. navigation & sampling)and conduct field inspections, provide on site advice and services to clients, undertake primary research and assist in mine rehabilitation activities.
- Multidisciplinary social and technical issues (e.g., environmental, sustainability, social responsibility), to provide industry, internal and external clients with advice and information.
- Regulatory and compliance issues and practices of the ministry, other federal and provincial agencies, in order to provide advice to industry and support the ministry's compliance and enforcement program.

Interpersonal / Influencing Skill :

- Consultation and facilitation skills to provide clients, decision makers, staff and other stakeholder with advice and to assist in advancing mineral development in assigned region.
- Consensus building and persuasive skills to resolve disputes and to facilitate stakeholder collaboration.
- Presentation skills to communicate mineral development, regulatory and policy information and concepts in order to provide advice and recommendations and attain consensus.
- Networking skills for establishment of stakeholder contacts to expedite communications and resolve issues.

Analyzing / Problem Solving Skill :

- Assist with operational needs, prioritize, respond to pressures, resolve routine administrative issues, monitor and evaluate staff activities and deal appropriately with client service issues.
- Review and assess legislative, scientific, technical and/or economic documents/databases to ensure regulatory compliance, make authoritative recommendations on programs, projects, proposals, policy and closure plans.
- Research and evaluate information, determine impacts, identify priorities and recommend solutions when providing expert advice, writing minister letters or briefing notes and communicating with decision makers.
- Facilitate the mine development process, address stakeholder concerns or disputes and determining alternative approaches to mineral development issues.

Decision Making / Responsibility :

- Assisting in the implementation of Mineral Development Program operations in assigned region.
- Providing mineral development information, advice and recommendations to clients, decision makers and other stakeholders.
- Determining which issues to refer to the Regional Supervisors, and when to provide briefing notes regarding potential contentious issues.
- Providing input to mineral development research projects, closure plans, policy and management initiatives.

Has latitude to make decisions with respect to implementing regional operations within delegated authorities (e.g., spending limit); to help determine priorities and direct staff; conduct site visits, interpret legislative, scientific, technical and/or economic information; provide expert advice and recommendations to clients and other stakeholders.

Decisions are guided by legislation, program mandate, administrative policies and practices, code of conduct and best practice guidelines.

Contacts / Stakeholder :

- Ministry decision makers and specialists/professionals to provide regional advice, exchange administrative or technical information, provide direction and/or recommendations.
- Mineral sector stakeholders (e.g. prospectors, senior/junior exploration and mining companies, consultants, professional organizations, agencies, academic community, investment companies & aboriginal community) to exchange information, provide advice, resolve issues and facilitate mineral development.
- Government agencies (e.g. OPS ministries, Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency (CEAA), federal and municipalities) to collaborate on initiatives, share information, review issues resulting from mineral development activity and expedite the regulatory permit process.
- Aboriginal communities to exchange information, provide technical advice, develop relationships, resolve issues and facilitate mineral development and provide consultation to assess and accommodate Aboriginal and Treaty rights.

Guidance / Supervision :

- Provides technical guidance and recommendations as region's authority on mineral development, aboriginal related issues and regulatory requirement knowledge to OPS mine rehabilitation, incentive programs, projects and management initiatives.
- Provides advice/guidance and training to Resident Geologists, students, Mine Rehabilitation and support staff, as required.

Demands / Pressures :

Work Demands :

- Frequent changes to deadlines and work demands, concurrent requests, conflicting demands and priorities.
- Frequent requirement to respond to urgent requests for information (e.g. briefing notes, comments regarding region related issues) within tight deadlines.
- Frequently required to travel beyond work hours to evening meetings with clients and/or stakeholders.
- Overnight travel and travel to remote locations including far north aboriginal communities and mineral development field sites.

Mental / Sensory :

- Frequent requirement to concentrate when analyzing closure plans, undertaking research, long-distance or bush road driving, responding to tight deadline requests, preparing administrative reports and briefing notes.

Conditions / Environment :

- Work is conducted in an office or the field.
- Frequent exposure to inclement weather, long distant and bush road driving, wild life and insects and abandoned/active mine dust, noise or hazards.
- Occasional exposure to irate clients, public forum participants and/or remote area safety concerns.