Technical Program
Three days of expert insights, practical strategies, and real solutions driving operational performance, innovation, and measurable impact across mining.
Technical Program Schedule
75+ sessions | 225+ presentations | 14 panels | 5 special sessions | 4 main stage events
Operator-led insight. Real-world impact.
CIM CONNECT 2026 delivers three days of technical sessions built for professionals who make performance-critical decisions. From automation and productivity to sustainability, risk management, and digital transformation, every session tackles real operational priorities with practical takeaways you can apply immediately.
If you drive results, this program is for you.
Please note: the program is subject to change.
Special Sessions
Venture Capital and the Race to Deploy Innovation in the Mining Industry
Monday | May 4 | 11:00 | Room 203
Speakers:
Liam Hilder, Associate Director, Creative Destruction Lab Minerals Stream Lead.
John Slaven, CEO, MineSense Technologies Ltd.
Sarah Applebaum, Partner, Pangaea Ventures
Mike McPhie, Managing Director and Chief Projects Officer, Regeneration Enterprises, Inc.
Moderator:
Don Duval, Principal, Head of Mining, Evok Innovations
Canadian Mining Education Forum
Monday | May 4 | 14:00 | Room 203
Building the next generation of mining leaders.
Speakers:
Hani Mitri, McGill Professor of Mining Engineering.
Mark Adams, Vice President, North America West, Sedgman.
Davide Elmo, Associate Professor, University of British Columbia.
Moderator:
Lesley McGilp, Executive Director, International Minerals Innovative Institute.
The Silicon Valley Model: Rethinking Mining Investment
Tuesday | May 5 | 10:30 | Ballroom A
Smarter capital. Stronger returns.
Speakers:
Bruce Leak, Co-Founder and General Partner, Playground Global.
John Mern, Co-Founder and CEO, Terra AI.
Ian Robinson, Investor at Khosla Ventures.
Randy Allen, Co-Founder and CEO, Still Bright.
Gary Agnew, Co-Founder and CEO, Ideon Technologies
Moderator:
Doris Hiam-Galvez, Founder and author, Designing Sustainable Prosperity (DSP).
Beyond Dialogue: Measuring Sustainability & Soft-Landing in Indigenous Partnerships
Tuesday | May 5 | 10:30 | Room 203
Turning partnership commitments into measurable outcomes.
Speakers:
Rory O'Connor, Director, Social Performance, Orla Mining Ltd.
Carly Bielecki, Manager of Sustainability, Teck Resources Limited.
Krista Maydew, MA Vice President, External Affairs, IAMGOLD Corporation.
Monique Fry, Manager of Indigenous Strategy, Procon.
Nalaine Morin, Skeena Resources
Jacynthe Lafond, External Relations Coordinator, Dhilmar Éléonore.
Howard MacDonald, Director of Environment, Cree Nation of Wemindji.
Moderator:
Mary-Carmen Vera, ESG Practitioner.
Sponsored by:
Mining for Inclusivity Panel. The Next Frontier: Women Investing in Mining
Tuesday | May 5 | 15:30 | Room 203
Expanding women’s influence on the financial future of mining.
Speakers:
Jackie Przybylowski, vice-présidente, marchés des capitaux, Gold Royalty Corp.
Candace MacGibbon, présidente de l’ICM
Beth Borody, Founder & CEO, The Femina Collective & Maven Exploration.
Neo Mooki, Chair, Botswana Stock Exchange.
Moderator:
Angelina Mehta, Global Mining Executive, Independent.
Sponsored by
Mine Water Strategy Forum
Wednesday | May 6 | 14:00 | Room 203
Managing water risk. Protecting asset value.
Speakers:
Rodney Guest, Senior Specialist Development Advisor, Operational Improvement & Support Services, Suncor Energy.
Bjorn Weeks, PhD, MSc, Director, Closure, Teck Resources Limited.
Kevin Ramsay, General Manager USA Legacy Assets, BHP.
Amanda Alaica-Ciosek, Industrial Water Engineer, Hatch Ltd.
Moderator:
Lesley Warren, Director, Mining Futures; Professor, Civil and Mineral Engineering, University of Toronto.
Sponsored by
