University: Laurentian University, Sudbury, Ontario
Degree program: PhD Natural Resources Engineering
Hometown: Sudbury, Ontario
Award: $2500
Pedro Pablo Vasquez is currently in his second year as Ph.D. student of Natural Resources Engineering at Laurentian University, Sudbury, Canada. His research is focused on the development of an intelligent autonomous mining system. This research will improve large-scale mining operations, being supervised by intelligent systems.
He has worked many years in the mining industry, participating in different projects at different stages of the mining industry, visiting mines around the world. He has participated actively on the mine expansion of Ticlio Mine in Peru, changing the mining method from conventional to sublevel stoping, increasing mine production from 400 tons/day to 1800 tons/day. As part of a supervisors’ team of previous mine, the group was awarded with Plaque of Honor at the National Mining Safety Competition, for having the best safety indicators and zero fatalities for two consecutive years.
In Sudbury, during his time at Laurentian University, Pedro Pablo Vasquez participates as a volunteer of the Mental Wellness Student Support Program, which helps students to manage their mental health and to participate in academic activities.
Finally, he loves riding his bike in the morning, traveling outdoors, and spending time with his family.
University: Laurentian University, Sudbury, Ontario
Degree program: 4th year Bachelor of Engineering (Chemical)
Hometown: Lively, Ontario
Award: $2500
Kolter Weaver is a fourth-year chemical engineering student attending Laurentian University, specializing in extractive metallurgy. He aims to apply the knowledge gained while attaining his bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering to the extractive metallurgy industry. Kolter has already worked two summer placements with Sudbury Integrated Nickel Operation’s, A Glencore Company. One placement was with the process engineering department at the Sudbury Smelter Complex, and the other was with the metallurgy department at the Strathcona Mill.
Finally, he loves riding his bike in the morning, traveling outdoors, and spending time with his family.
University: Queen’s University, Kingston, Ontario
Degree program: 3rd year Bachelor of Applied Science (Mineral processing)
Hometown: Kingston, Ontario
Award: $2500
Muyoya was born in Kitwe, Zambia. Kitwe is in the Copperbelt, a mineral-rich province with numerous metals ranging from base metals to gemstones. Living in an area heavily influenced by mining and coming from a family who owned a mine increased his interest in mining, minerals, and geology. He moved to the capital, Lusaka, where he completed my secondary school education. After high school, he moved to Halifax, Nova Scotia, for his undergrad in mining engineering.
He graduated with a diploma in mining engineering from St Mary’s university in Halifax and took a few years off school to gain some experience in mining. He lived in Alberta and later moved to northern Ontario where he did a number of odd jobs not related to engineering. He later got accepted at Queens University where he is currently doing his studies.
His hobbies include soccer, tennis, and chess. He started playing tennis at age six and took part in a few competitions up until age 17. He started playing chess at eight and won a chess tournament at age 15. Once his younger sister started winning their chess matches, Muyoya says he knew it was time to move on to other things.
University: University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia
Degree program: 4th year Bachelor of Applied Science (Mining Engineering)
Hometown: Surrey, British Columbia
Award: $2500
Blake Lapadula is a 4th year UBC Mining Engineering student eager to continue his career in mining. Having gained co-op experience at open pit mines and consulting, Blake has a wide range of skills and tools at his disposal for any task thrown his way. He has achieved many accomplishments in his academic career such as being Secretary and Academic Rep for the UBC Mining Undergraduate Society, 2021 UBC Mining Games Co-Captain, winning first place in Mine Design at the 2020 Canadian Mining Games, achieving Dean’s Honour List twice and completing many projects related to mine site optimization, including his final year capstone on shovel sensor integration and feasibility.
University: Acadia University, Wolfville, Nova Scotia
Degree program: 1st year Bachelor of Engineering (Electrical)
Hometown: Hammonds Plains, Nova Scotia
Award: $2500
Kyle MacPherson is a first year Electrical Engineering student at Acadia University. He plans to work within Canada’s mining industry by working on control systems, improving efficiency and reliability. As an honour’s student in high school, Kyle has participated in various school sports such as basketball and volleyball.
University: Carleton University, Ottawa, Ontario
Degree program: 3rd year Honours Bachelor of Science (Geophysics)
Hometown: Ashton, Ontario
Award: $2500
Kaitlyn de Moree van Lierde is currently a 3rd year Geophysics student Carleton University. She has always had a keen interest in geology, which began with the collection of her first rock sample at 3 years old. In her 1st year of university, she began working with Dr. Richard Ernst and the Large Igneous Provinces Commission. To date, she has been part of projects of a wide range of topics, from the Commission’s large igneous province geochronology database to paleomagnetic reconstructions. She has begun working on her Honour’s thesis, which involves gravitational and magnetic modelling of mafic and ultramafic intrusions. As the Vice-President of Finance for Carleton’s Geological Society, she is working to improve the financial situation of the club. In her spare time Kaitlyn enjoys rock climbing, maintaining and repairing her 2005 4Runner, hiking, camping, weightlifting, running, travelling, and adding rocks to her ever-growing collection.
