Canadian Land Reclamation Association

ontario CHAPTER

CLRA | ACRSD

ontario CHAPTER

clra ONtario

Board of Directors

If you are interested in participating as a Board Member (Director) with the Ontario Chapter, please contact Quentin Smith (Quentin.Smith@vale.com) or Sarah Barabash (sbarabash@ecometrix.ca)

Dr. Sarah J. Barabash is an environmental scientist with EcoMetrix and has more than 8 years of combined experience in research and consulting and is currently responsible for managing a geochemistry laboratory for specially designed testing and evaluation of mining wastes and materials.

Dr. Barabash has been involved in a number of geochemical, site assessment, risk assessment and closure planning projects for industrial clients throughout Canada. Her expertise includes all phases of contaminant release studies from the design of laboratory and field programs to data analysis and assessment and the development of source terms and geochemical models. Her experience includes investigations at base metal mines, gold and uranium operations. Dr. Barabash is currently involved in the detailed closure planning for gold mining facilities that include the completion of laboratory programs for mine waste assessments, the quantification of source terms and the determination of transport and mobility of metals and other constituents. She has been involved in the development of environmental assessments, including the ecological risk and effects assessments, for proposed uranium mine projects through the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act (CEAA) process, including the Key Lake Mill extension and the Millennium Project. She has also developed modelling tools for the environmental assessments for base metal mines, including the Sudbury Area Risk Assessment and the Port Colborne Soil Investigation and Human Health Risk Assessment.

Dr. Sarah J. Barabash

Co-President
Etobicoke, ON

Quentin Smith has been Project Engineer with Vale Canada Limited’s Environment department since 2004. In this role, Quentin is responsible for 17 closure plans held by Vale in Ontario, managing Vale’s Biosolids Revegetation Program, overseeing operations of decommissioned sites as well as playing an important role on major projects related to environmental restoration, decommissioning and land rehabilitation. Quentin earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering from the University of Guelph in 2003. He has recently accepted a position on the Board of Directors for the Canadian Land Reclamation Association (CLRA) and has been a member of the City of Greater Sudbury’s Vegetation Enhancement Technical Advisory Committee (VETAC) for several years. Quentin also instructs several post graduate courses at Cambrian College and is a member of Program Advisory Committee for this program. Quentin was born and raised in Sudbury where he lives with his wife and three children.

Quentin Smith

Co – President
Sudbury, ON

Acting Secretary - Lesley Hymers is the Manager of Education and Outreach at Mining Matters, a national, informal Earth science education organization. She is an established Earth Sciences and mineral resources specialist with professional experience in the Natural Resources Sector, and in Higher and Informal Education. She has worked in the stone, sand and gravel industry where she was introduced to pit and quarry rehabilitation by celebrated pioneer Sarah Lowe; in government relations and mining and environmental policy analysis; in post-secondary education in the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning, Instructional Development, Course Design and as a Sessional Lecturer; and in Informal Education, providing Earth Science and mineral resources education to students and the public and professional learning programs to Educators. Lesley is a former member of the Ontario Biodiversity Council and the National Orphaned and Abandoned Mine Initiative .

Lesley has Undergraduate and Graduate Degrees in Earth Sciences, from the University of Guelph and an Ontario Master Naturalist Certificate from Lakehead University.

Lesley Hymers

Acting Secretary
Toronto, ON

Rebecca Van Kempen works in the Mineral Development Branch of the Ministry of Mines recently taking the role as Issues Management Coordinator. Since 2019, Rebecca worked as a Mineral Exploration and Development Consultant, in this role Rebecca was the lead for over twenty-five mine closure plans in Ontario, leading their review to ensure regulatory compliance. Always having a passion for sustainable natural resource development, Rebecca has worked for the Ministry of Mines and previously with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry since 2012. Rebecca also has a Bachelor of Science in Aquatic and Terrestrial Ecology from Laurentian University. This is her first year as a member of the Canadian Land Reclamation Association (CLRA).

Rebecca Van Kempen

Director
Sudbury, ON

Ashlee Zelek is Director of Environment and Education at the Ontario Stone, Sand & Gravel Association (OSSGA). Ashlee manages and promotes the environmental and educational objectives of the aggregate industry for its members, monitors and reports on environmental progress in the industry, and works to ensure the timely delivery of important changes to legislation with respect to non-renewable resource management. Ashlee is also responsible for coordinating OSSGA’s annual Rehabilitation Tour, bringing together industry experts to discuss first-hand knowledge on new and upcoming best practices in land rehabilitation. Before joining OSSGA, Ashlee worked as a consultant assisting resource industries achieve environmental compliance, and in the mining industry where her role as Environmental Coordinator was to coordinate environmental programs, conduct extensive environmental monitoring programs, analyse and communicate environmental performance, and oversee mine reclamation reporting. Ashlee has a degree in Biology from McMaster University and a master’s degree in Environmental and Resources Studies from the University of Waterloo.

Ashlee Zelek

Director
Mississauga, ON

Helga Sonnenberg is an environmental consultant with technical expertise in aquatic biology, ecotoxicology, and water science. For over 25 years, Helga has worked with industrial clients, water users, engineers and scientists to develop science-based solutions and positive environmental outcomes. She and her team have worked at all project phases from baseline to closure, with pre- and post-reclamation, planning and implementation being an ongoing focus.

In addition to providing technical and regulatory expertise to the mining, power, and municipal sectors; applied research and development of novel innovative solutions, is key to our approach. Ms. Sonnenberg has been an active member of MAC and OMA for over 15 years, providing advocacy and expertise through various working groups.

Helga Sonnenberg

Director
Guelph, ON

Samantha McGarry is currently a Site Rehabilitation Specialist, with multidisciplinary experience in mining and the environment. She completed a B.Sc. and M.Sc. at Laurentian University, and has been a member of CLRA since 2009.

She is experienced in environmental management for all phases of the mining life cycle, and promotes the importance of strong environmental planning and performance throughout. She develops and implements Closure Plans for active and legacy sites; from permit acquisitions to execution of the associated projects and studies.

Sam is passionate about research and innovation, collaboration, and connecting with the community. As a VETAC Member supporting the Greater City of Sudbury Regreening Program, she enjoys contributing to the ecological enhancement of our local landscapes. She continues to partner with academia and government across Canada on a variety of research programs, while promoting student success and broadening the understanding of mining and the environment.

Samantha McGarry

Director
Sudbury. ON

Bill Mackasey’s career spans over 40 years working for government agencies and mining companies that started with exploration and mining geology, and progressed from site-specific earth science projects, to broader studies of land-use issues at the regional, provincial and national level. Close to 30 years were spent with the Ontario government in the field of mining geology, abandoned mines, mine reclamation, land-use planning and policy development. He served as a mine environment advisor for the Assistant Deputy Minister of Mines, Ontario, and for the Brazilian Government. Bill also represented the Ontario Mining Association on the Great Lakes – St. Lawrence Round Table of the Ontario government’s Lands for Life land-use planning exercise. He has produced over 40 technical papers on geology, mineral potential, abandoned mines, mining policy and land-use planning. In 2011 he was the recipient of CLRA’s Noranda Land Reclamation Award. Bill received a B.Sc. in Geology from St. Francis Xavier University and a M.Sc. from Carleton University. He is a Registered Professional Geoscientist for the Province of Ontario.

Mr. Mackasey established his own Sudbury-based company, WOM Geological Associates Inc. in 1996 and served as a consultant on mineral potential assessment, policy development, restoration of land values, and for solving land use problems in regions affected by mining. Bill retired to Lindsay, Ontario in 2015.

Bill Mackasey’s

Director
Lindsay, ON

Chris Hey is a mining and environmental engineer who is a passionate advocate for ecological conservation and sustainable mining. He currently works as a mining and environmental engineer with Okane Consultants, providing mine closure and reclamation solutions to clients worldwide.

Chris Hey

Director
Ottawa, ON

Dr. Holly Gray is an environmental scientist affiliated with the Mining Department at Ecometrix Incorporated. With over 10 years in research and consulting, Holly has garnered expertise in the areas of water treatment, wastewater, and industrial process water. With M.Sc. and Ph.D. degrees in the fields of aquatic chemistry and civil and environmental engineering, respectively, Holly’s research focused on nutrient removal, mineral precipitation, surface complexation, and nutrient recovery in the context of wastewater treatment.

Throughout her time in consulting, Holly has been involved in diverse projects, notably including her integral role in geochemical studies conducted to support mine closure plans. Her contributions extend to closure planning options analysis, periodic updates to closure plans, and addressing regulatory closure plan review comments. Holly has actively participated in various initiatives such as in-pit water treatment, water quality modeling, and the maintenance of comprehensive databases. Dr. Gray's multifaceted involvement underscores her dedication to advancing environmental science within the framework of responsible and sustainable practices.

Dr. Holly Gray

Director
Waterloo, ON

Jenny Fortier, a seasoned biologist and CEO of Northern Wildflowers Inc., brings over 15 years of expertise in habitat restoration. Armed with a Master’s Degree in Science specializing in Watershed Ecosystems, she is not only a dedicated Master Gardener but also an adept science communicator. At the helm of Northern Wildflowers, Jenny has cultivated the company into a premier North American producer of native forb seed, all the while developing a supply chain of Canadian native seed growers and wild collectors. With a focus on seed-based restoration tailored for the mining sector, the company holds proprietary, all-natural seed coating formulations that play a crucial role in revegetation projects across North America. Beyond her leadership in the ecological realm, Jenny has actively contributed to economic development, notably in enhancing food security and promoting agricultural growth in Northern Ontario. Her past role as the treasurer for Eat Local Sudbury underscores her commitment to these initiatives. Northern Wildflowers' significant accomplishments encompass receiving the RT Foundation Award in 2021 and the Desjardins GoodSpark Award in 2023, acknowledging the company's leadership in both social and ecological spheres.

Jenny Fortier

Director
Greater Sudbury Area, ON

Jenny-Lou Campbell, a member of Serpent River First Nation, works as a Mining Policy Analyst at the Anishinabek Nation in the Lands and Resources Department. In her role, Jenny supports First Nations to enhance their natural, technical and financial capabilities in the mining sector. She provides in-depth policy analysis, technical support and resources, dialogue facilitation between government and industry, and advocacy for responsible and sustainable mining practices. She is a dedicated steward of the land, drawing on inspiration and strength from the natural world to ensure the long-term vitality of lands and resources for future generations.

 

Prior to joining the AN, Jenny worked at Hatch for five years in the Project Controls group and gained experience working on a number of major projects throughout Canada and the US. Jenny also spent close to a decade with Vale's Manitoba Operations in the Mines Engineering department in various on-site roles.

Jenny is a graduate of Lakehead University and received her B.Sc. in Natural and Environmental Sciences in. She currently resides in Sudbury.t.

Jenny-Lou Campbell

Director
Greater Sudbury Area, ON

Daniel Campbell is an environmental scientist with over thirty years of experience in academia and consulting. He is a graduate of University of Guelph (BSc), University of Waterloo (MSc) and Université Laval (PhD) and conducted research in the bayous of Louisiana before settling down in Sudbury. He was an assistant professor at Laurentian University, but now runs his own consultant Company, Birchbark Environmental Research. As a professor, he taught environmental sciences and completed extensive research on the reclamation and restoration of mining sites in northern Ontario, focussing primarily on aspects related to soils, native seeds, wetlands, and revegetation. As a consultant, he provides environmental expertise to diverse companies and organizations. He is very interested in promoting high norms for ecological reclamation and restoration in Canadian mining. He strongly believes that safe, sustainable and ecologically integrated landscapes can return after mining. We must plan for it.

Daniel Campbell

Director
Greater Sudbury Area, ON

Peter Beckett has a Ph.D. in wetland ecology from King’s College, London. Now a Professor Emeritus, he was a Professor of restoration/reclamation ecologist and wetland specialist at Laurentian University in Sudbury, Ontario, Canada for more than 30 years. Peter is Chair of VETAC, an Advisory Panel to The City of Greater Sudbury that oversees the local landscape restoration projects and the transformation of the image of the City. Peter is a Director of the Canadian Land Reclamation Association and holds a Noranda Award for "outstanding achievements in reclamation". He is Co-Chair of the Sudbury International Mining and Environment Conferences He teaches courses in plant ecology, restoration ecology, reclamation, wetland ecology as well as leading many field trips to local wetlands, forests and restored/reclaimed sites.

Peter Beckett

Director
Sudbury, ON