Denison Mines and Schulich ExecEd: Shaping the Future of Mining Management

On July 24, 2024, Schulich ExecEd and Denison Mines proudly celebrated the graduation of the Schulich Mini-MBA: Essentials of Mining Management, a customized program designed specifically for Denison Mines’ management and leadership team. This event, held in Elliot Lake, Ontario, the birthplace of Denison Mines, marked a significant milestone in the company’s 70-year history and highlighted the importance of leadership development in the mining industry.

Addressing Critical Challenges in the Mining Sector

71% of mining leaders report that talent shortages are hindering their ability to meet production targets and achieve strategic objectives. In Canada, the mining industry is facing significant labour shortages, with an estimated 80,000 positions to go unfilled by 2030. Additionally, Deloitte’s Global Mining and Metals report highlights that the goals of reducing carbon footprints and achieving net-zero are creating an uncertain business environment for the industry.

Denison Mines is redefining mining by Powering People, Partnerships and Passion. Cognisant of the talent shortages and skills gaps that challenge the mining industry, Denison Mines growth trajectory necessitated a robust leadership development strategy to ensure continued success and competitiveness in support of advancing its Wheeler River Project in northern Saskatchewan. Denison Mines recognized the need for strategically engaged leaders to motivate and guide employees through these exciting times while continuing to foster a culture of continuous improvement, leading to the partnership with Schulich ExecEd to create a tailored Mini-MBA program.

Customized Education for Strategic Leadership

The Schulich Mini-MBA: Essentials of Mining Management program, designed specifically for Denison Mines, covers a comprehensive range of topics essential for high caliber management and leadership. Participants engaged in subjects such as project management, finance, ESG, strategic planning, leading change, HR, creating teams and business negotiations. This program aims to enhance business acumen, decision-making capabilities and strategic insights, equipping Denison’s leaders to navigate the dynamic and evolving business landscape. It is also structured to be completed within a practical timeframe, accommodating the schedules of busy, working professionals at Denison Mines, while providing opportunities for applied learning throughout the program and beyond. “This program is designed to power up our people for the future, fuelling our success through empowered and capable leaders that can and will continue to create an engaging workplace where talent thrives, innovation flourishes, and people have fun along the way,” shares Mary Jo Smith, Vice President, Human Resources at Denison Mines.

A Celebration of Heritage and Growth

The graduation event in Elliot Lake was more than just a ceremony; it was a community-based celebration of Denison Mines’ past, present and future. Commemorating the company’s enduring legacy in the community of Elliot Lake, program participants had the opportunity to connect with former employees of what was the longest continuous uranium mining operation running from 1957 to 1992, sharing Denison’s future-forward vision of an innovative climate positive ISR approach to mining. With a turnout of over 250, attendees connected, reminisced and celebrated over food, festivities and a lake-side fireworks display.

Industry-Focused Solutions

Schulich ExecEd’s expertise of the mining sector were pivotal in designing a program that met Denison Mines’ specific needs. The partnership highlights Schulich ExecEd’s commitment to providing impactful learning experiences that drive organizational success and industry advancement.

“At Schulich ExecEd, we believe in the transformative power of customized education programs. Our recent collaboration with Denison Mines exemplifies how strategic leadership development addressed critical industry challenges, such as skills gaps and sustainability goals in the mining sector, thereby ensuring long-term success and competitiveness for Denison Mines,” shares Rami Mayer, Executive Director of Schulich ExecEd. “Through this partnership, we empowered these leaders with essential skills crucial to Denison’s business strategy and competitive edge.”

Looking Forward

Denison Mines and Schulich ExecEd are committed to continuing their collaboration, ensuring that Denison’s leaders are equipped with the skills necessary to thrive in a volatile business environment. This strategic approach will enable Denison to maintain its competitive edge and achieve sustained growth.