Lessons learned--What history can teach us about the future

摘要

The route to my entry into the mineral engineering program at the University of Toronto can best be described as circuitous. I spent four years working for a construction company, three years at a community college and four years in engineering consulting before I began attending classes in 2006. Although I do not claim to be an expert in any particular field, the experiences I have had on that winding road have provided me with some valuable insights into how the mining industry - and industry in general - works. We tend to measure the value of mining and exploration companies in terms of resources and reserves, but I have discovered that the best measure of any company is the quality of the personnel that it recruits and retains. We have recently entered a time of economic uncertainty, which has caused many companies to take a step back and re-evaluate their business practices, including their hiring policies. Many companies may not be in a position to hire new graduates as readily to fill expected openings in accordance with forecasted ramping up of production, as exploration and production projects come to a halt.