Former Noranda researcher occupies Queen’s Mine design chair

Queen’s University’s $1 million Chair of Mine Design has been filled by Professor William Bawden, a former researcher with Noranda Inc.

The chair, funded by the Ontario Ministry of Northern Development and Mines, complements the mining chairs established at Laurentian, Queen’s and University of Toronto.

Bawden, a 1970 Queen’s engineering geology graduate, expects his new position to draw the mining industry and the university closer together to meet common needs and interests.

“The three professors appointed to these chairs have a mandate to work together to do industry- sponsored and directed co-operative research,” says Bawden. “We have the potential to create a truly world-class mining research network here in Ontario.”

That network expects to work through the mining research directorate of the Mining Association of Ontario. Participating with the Ministry of Northern Development and Mines in establishing the chairs are the Ministry of Co lleges and Universities and the Ministry of Labor.

Queen’s Dean of Applied Science David Bacon says the three chairs take advantage of each university’s particular strength; at Queen’s a well developed comprehensive mining program; at Toronto, a strong civil engineering emphasis on soil and rock engineering; at Laurentian, an excellent proximity to the established mines, which often serve as laboratories for mining research.