Pierre Lebel is named Mining Person of the Year for 2012

The chairman of Imperial Metals has been contributing to, building and supporting B.C.’s mining industry for more than 30 years

by Karen Kornelsen — May 29, 2013

a woman and two men in business attire; the older man at centre , Pierre Lebel,is holding an award

Pierre Lebel (centre) receives the MABC's Mining Person of the Year Award for 2012; also pictured are Karina Briño, president and CEO of MABC, and Scott Broughton, vice-chair of MABC and president and CEO of Roca Mines. — Flora Gordon photo courtesy www.floragordon.ca

On April 30, 2013, the Mining Association of British Columbia (MABC) recognized Pierre Lebel as the Mining Person of the Year for 2012 at the Mining Week opening gala held in Vancouver, B.C.

Lebel, the chairman, director and past president of Imperial Metals, was recognized for his demonstrated exceptional leadership in advancing and promoting the mining industry in British Columbia.

"Pierre’s many activities and achievements span more than three decades of contributing to, building and supporting B.C.’s mining industry," stated the MABC in a release. "From his early days with E&B Exploration to Chairman of Imperial Metals with two operating base metal mines in B.C. (Mount Polley, Huckleberry), Lebel continues to invest and grow the mining industry at the helm of four advanced projects (Red Chris, Ruddock Creek, Catface, Sterling). Lebel is also Past Chairman of MABC (2006-2007) and a long-serving member of the executive committee."

The MABC went on to acknowledge Lebel’s commitment to growing the understanding of the industry in society through encouraging industry, government and communities to engage and work in a collaborative and positive manner.

"Pierre has made considerable contributions to community and business entities including Canada Place, Lions Gate Hospital, Business Council of B.C. and the Mining Association of Canada," stated the release.

Mining & Exploration asked Lebel how it feels to be named Mining Person of the Year and what it has taken for him to achieve such recognition.

First of all, how does it feel to be named Mining Person of the Year for 2012 by the MABC?

I felt surprised and deeply honoured. But it comes with mixed feelings about receiving a personal recognition, given that nothing worthwhile gets done in mining except by good teams. Quite often awards are given to an individual but recognize the team. That was certainly the case for this one.

How did you first enter the world of mining? Why did you choose this industry?

I grew up in Sudbury, Ontario, where I had family in the business and had worked during my student days at Clarabelle Mine as a surveyor’s assistant. So I was quite comfortable with the industry. As I thought of the bigger picture with Canada’s resource-based economy and expertise in mining—arguably the best in the world—it seemed like a good fit for me. So I took a job with an exploration company soon after graduating from university and went from there.

What are some highlights from your career?

The merger with Bethlehem Resources, though not outwardly remarkable, installed the building blocks for what would come next. That transaction was really about recruiting a mining team to Imperial Metals led by Brian Kynoch, who then built Mount Polley through financing relationships that were Bethlehem’s with a team led by Henry Ewanchuck. Mount Polley came in under budget and ahead of schedule, cementing Imperial’s reputation as a capable and reliable mine builder and operator. Brian went on to identify Red Chris as an ideal acquisition target for Imperial. It took three tries to acquire Red Chris, but miners are nothing if not persistent.

What are you most proud of when you look back on your 30-plus years in the industry?

My job is mostly about execution and planning—so I try not to look back except to avoid making the same mistake twice. When I start feeling pride, I’ll know it’s time to quit.

How have you worked to grow the understanding of the mining industry in society?

We must be focused as much on the social acceptance of our projects as on the projects themselves. As much as I’d like to think the benefits of resource development in a country like Canada are self evident, the ever-changing political and social landscape in which we live means that our messages of responsible resource development, community benefits, jobs and environmental stewardship must be constantly renewed and demonstrated.

Opposition to development is ever present and increasingly effective. We won’t ever achieve unanimous acceptance of our projects, and so we must be ever more effective in delivering our message to society’s true decision-makers: the people who hold down jobs, raise families, pay taxes and volunteer in their communities.

We do this through our environmental stewardship practices, our efforts in education and training, our industry-wide support of Children’s Hospital, our support of charitable causes and cultural events, in our public pronouncements and undertakings, as volunteers and coaches, on panels, in government round tables, by participating in the political process, and generally accepting that we have an important role to play in society. We must always strive to do things better today than we did yesterday.

What do you most look forward to in the coming years, both personally and professionally?

I really feel connected to the people I work with and love the adventure and challenge of building things. Why not try to build a major Canadian mining company?

The Mining Person of the Year Award is an initiative of the MABC to publicly recognize an outstanding individual who has shown leadership in advancing and promoting the mining industry in British Columbia. The award is presented annually during Mining Week.