
Schedule
8:00am to 9:00am |
Registration and breakfastpresented by Assinck, Ltd. |
9:00am – 9:45am |
Keynote Speakerpresented by Ault, Progressive ReclamationWilliam Gowdy, a geologist with 35 years in the industry, will speak about progressive reclamation and its increasing importance. Reclamation is not only a legislative requirement in most jurisdictions, but it is frequently an important part of companies’ social license to operate. Progressive reclamation represents a “blank canvas” to become creative in developing alternative land uses and configurations. |
9:45am-10:15am |
Value driven technology – What it means to your operationSpeakers: Craig Rutherford, Technical Sales Manager at the Wirtgen Group and Brad Neville – Territory Manager Mineral Technology – Brandt Group of Companies. |
10:15am - 10:45am |
Networking Break |
10:45am - 11:30am |
Screening Problems from the field: Working Through Case StudiesSpeaker: Alex Caruana, P.ENG, National Manager – Canadian Aggregates, Polydeck |
11:30am - 12:15pm |
The Canadian Mining Skills Development Strategy (CMSDS)Speaker: Dana Imbeault, Senior Director, Operations, NOS and CMCP, The Mining Industry Human Resources Council (MiHR) |
12:15pm – 1:30pm |
Lunch |
1:30pm – 2:15pm |
Attracting and Retaining PeopleSpeaker: Mark Nesbitt - Founder, Nesbitt Training |
2:15pm - 2:45pm |
Maintenance and extending the life of your equipmentSpeaker: Kevin Ruppert, Global Training Manager for MPP GlobalFocusing on hard rock operations, Kevin Ruppert will discuss how planned downtime and regular maintenance can extend the life of your equipment and save you money. |
2:45pm - 3:15pm |
Networking Break |
3:15pm - 4:00pm |
Appealing to younger workersSpeaker: Jonathan Clark, CRH Canada Group IncFormer Rock to Road Top 10 Under 40 recipient spent the first part of his career bouncing around, trying to find the right fit for him, before finally landing in successful roles in the aggregates sector. Clark will discuss what made him choose aggregates and how his experience can help owners and operators attract and retain younger employees. |
Speakers
Alex is a Civil Engineer with nearly two decades of experience in the industry. With a passion for variety and travel to different plants, Alex has been with Polydeck for more than a decade, growing the brand’s recognition in Canada. Recognized as “Top 10 Under 40” by Rock to Road in 2014, and “Member of The Year” by the Ontario Stone, Sand & Gravel Association for 2020, Alex has grown to be a valuable resource to his customers any time they have process and screening issues.
Brad Neville is the Territory Manager Mineral Technology for the Brandt Group of Companies.
He is a Geotechnical Engineering Technologist who has been in the aggregate industry for 26 years, holding positions in quality control, plant management, and technical sales. He has worked in a Limestone Quarry that produced 4-5 million tonnes per year and has run a sand and gravel operation that produced 1.2 million tonnes per year.
Craig Rutherford is the Technical Sales Manager at the Wirtgen Group, overseeing the Canadian market for Kleemann crushing and screening products. Craig has more than twenty-five years of mechanical and sales experience in the mineral processing industry and specializes in application, optimization, quality assurance and industry specific technical advancements.
Dana ensures the effective and efficient operation of MiHR programs and activities. She leads a team in the development of a suite of National Occupational Standards, used by industry to help develop the required skills and competencies of its workforce, and leads the implementation of MiHR’s Canadian Mining Certification Program – a national program that recognizes the expertise of the industry workforce. Dana also provides oversight and guidance on the implementation of MiHR’s essential skills training, including Mining Essentials and Mining Potential, essential skills and work readiness training program for Indigenous peoples, women, youth and newcomers, and occupational training programs that teach the foundational and technical skills needed to be safe and effective in various mining occupations.
Jonathan Clark was a Rock to Road Top 10 Under 40 recipient in 2021 after he proved himself to be an exceptional leader as a foreman with Dufferin Aggregates, a division of CRH Canada Group Inc. As his career continues to grow, Clark will relate his personal experiences to help others find a place in aggregates that fits their goals.
Bringing in thirty-years as a veteran in the aggregate, construction, and trucking industry, Mark has fostered a passion for helping people develop many personal and professional assets as they strive to grow and improve upon themselves. Our people are our greatest asset, so our people skills need to be our greatest strength, and this is the focus of Mark’s leadership training, coaching, and speaking services.
William Gowdy, a geologist with 35 years in the industry, will speak about progressive reclamation and its increasing importance. Reclamation is not only a legislative requirement in most jurisdictions, but it is frequently an important part of companies’ social license to operate. Progressive reclamation represents a “blank canvas” to become creative in developing alternative land uses and configurations.
Venue/Accommodations

Holiday Inn & Suites
101 Kanata Avenue Ottawa, ON K2T 1E6
Direct: (613) 271-2390
Are you a sponsor or attendee joining us from out of town? Please take advantage of our special guest room rate of $199.
To make reservations, please call Hotel Reservations at (613) 271-3057, or Central Reservations Department at 1-800-465-4329. Please refer to QuarryTech and quote group code “QTE” when making or amending reservations. You may also go online at www.hisottawa.ca and use the same block code.
All rooms are required to be guaranteed by a credit card.
All reservations must be made by September 29, 2023.