Jim Popowich Mining Endowment grant for New Technologies
Calling all mining professionals in any facet of the mining industry with 5 years of experience or more: Here’s your opportunity to receive recognition for your dedication and hard work!
Jim attended the University of Saskatchewan, where he earned his bachelor's degree in Mining Engineering and a Master of Science in Mining. This was the beginning of his 4-decade career in the mining industry. It was while attending university he met his wife, Laverne. Jim began his mining career with Cominco's (now Teck Resources) at Potash operations near Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, then on to Pine Point NWT at a lead-zinc open-pit mine, Trail BC at a smelter plant, then joining Fording Coal Ltd at Elkford, BC and promoted to their head office in Calgary. He continued to the Edmonton area at Genesee coal power plant and the Whitewood open-pit coal mine. He remained employed with Teck Resources at the head office in Calgary again, until retirement at the year-end of 2006 to Vernon, BC. After retirement a member for 11 years on the Mosaic Board in the Compensation & EHS (Environment, Health & Safety) and Sustainability Committees.
Jim was a dedicated proponent of excellence in the Canadian mining industry and is recognized for his dedication to sustainable development issues. His exceptional mining industry experience was a match for his active participation in numerous engineering and mining organizations as CIM, APEGGA, Coal Association Canada, and several other environmental groups in the province of Alberta. (Source – The Vernon Morning Star, December 7, 2021)
Jim’s legacy with the CIM Foundation continues with his wife, Laverne Popowich, who has generously established an Endowment in his memory. Our grant for mining professionals is intended to help advancing individuals career paths so that their years of education, training and actual work experience are not lured by and lost to another industry. Thanks to the Jim Popowich Memorial Mining Endowment, a grant of $3,000 to study new Technologies will be given to a mining professional interested in enhancing their skills by exploring new challenges within our field to advance their mining careers. This annual grant will be offered in perpetuity!
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