Blazing new trails in the mining industry

Faculty of Arts and Science researcher Jean Hutchinson has been honoured with the Women in Mining (WIM) Canada Trailblazer award that recognizes women who embody the trailblazing spirit, which refers to the leadership mindset needed to make extraordinary personal strides to navigate the Canadian mining industry.

“I am humbled to join the group of inspiring and incredible women who have won the award in previous years, including a mix of geologists, mining engineers, environmental advocates and advocates for diversity in the mining industry,” Dr. Hutchinson (Department of Geological Sciences and Geological Engineering) says.

“The award is significant because it recognizes the challenges, opportunities and substantial work required to make the mining industry more equitable, diverse and inclusive. I have seen a significant increase in the number of women working in the mining industry over my career, but we are far from gender parity currently, and we still have substantial challenges to inclusivity to address.”

Dr. Hutchinson got her start in Geological Engineering through her undergraduate degree. In Grade 13, this program appealed because it aligned with her love of math and science and gave promise of substantial time working outdoors and in many different locations.

“My degree was hard work, but very fulfilling, and my summer jobs gave me broadly based experience, to help direct my future goals. Key experiences at that time to start my career long focus and interests were a fourth-year course on Rock Mechanics, which I found fascinating, and the opportunity to return to University of Toronto for a PhD in Rock Engineering supervised by Dr. Evert Hoek, one of the most eminent global scholars and practitioners in this field.”

Now, Dr. Hutchinson works on protecting safety and enhancing linear infrastructure resilience (railways primarily) against the effects of natural hazards and managing the risk of slope instability in open pit mines. This is based in part on rock slope instability assessment using remote equipment. She compares detailed 3D models to examine change in the slope geometry and relate that to the geological model and to the potential for future instability and failure.

Dr. Hutchinson notes there are two main activities relevant to this Trailblazer award. “The first is my work to promote inclusivity for all diverse members of our profession, which has included leading by example, creating opportunities for women in numerous national and international professional societies and at conferences, and in carrying out real life scenario-based workshops with students to develop awareness and allyship amongst the newest members of our profession.”

“The second is my work to promote the idea of progressive rehabilitation and the circular economy for mines through creating and teaching field schools to both undergraduate and graduate students for more than 20 years. The inspiration for these trips came from my early career work in consulting as a member of the team creating the first closure plans for Inco’s Canadian operations, starting in the early 1990’s.”

Dr. Hutchinson was nominated for the awards by her role model Dr. Heather Jamieson, a Professor Emeritus from Queen’s University and the 2019 Rick Hutson Mentorship Award.

“Her stellar career, inclusive and thoughtful engagement with her colleagues, students and the research and industrial teams she collaborates with, are fantastic examples of WIM’s ‘Educate, Elevate and Empower’. She has developed a research program founded on field and laboratory work, forging new understanding and assessment procedures for many complex and long-standing mine waste impacts on the environment and health.”

To learn more about the award, visit the Women in Mining website.