Yukon University announces new CNIM Governing Council chair
Rob Yeomans of Parsons Corporation has been appointed chair of Yukon University’s Centre for Northern Innovation in Mining (CNIM) Governing Council. Yeomans replaces longstanding Chair, Paul West-Sells, of Western Copper and Gold’s Casino Mining Corporation, who served the Council from 2012 until his retirement in 2024.
“We congratulate Rob for assuming this important position, and look forward to leveraging his wealth of knowledge of the mining sector, including the challenges and opportunities,” said YukonU Provost Shelagh Rowles. “I also want to thank Paul for his dedication to education over these past 12 years. His contributions helped build up our training programs to meet the needs of Yukon’s mining sector and workforce at large.”
Yeomans is a socio-economic leader in Canada’s North, and manages Parsons’ office in Whitehorse. He played a key role in implementing the Yukon Environmental and Socio-economic Assessment Act, and led the assessment board’s communications during operations. Throughout his career, Rob has built relationships with assessment and regulatory practitioners, Yukon First Nations, stakeholders, and government entities. He has experience with socio-economic delivery and community consultations. Yeomans is a former adjunct faculty instructor at Yukon University, an experienced dispute resolution leader in northern fish and wildlife conflicts, and an active member of the Canadian Rangers.
“The CNIM Advisory Council makes an important link between industry and the university to help address needs for training and education, and conduct applied research to provide solutions to industry issues,” said Dan Anton, Executive Director of CNIM. “Rob brings a wide view with experience with environmental assessment and the Faro Mine remediation project.”
About CNIM
Part of Yukon University, CNIM is an industry-driven organization working with mineral resource companies to improve and enhance the industry. CNIM offers a suite of training programs for students and corporate clients that leverage state-of-the art facilities, mobile classrooms and high-tech simulators. Programs include commercial driving, Earth Sciences, Environmental monitoring, multi-trades for mining, and the Yukon Water and Wastewater Operator program.
About the CNIM Governing Council
The CNIM Governing Council consists of 15 members that include Yukon University senior leaders, industry partners, and Government of Yukon. The Council meets quarterly and provides strategic direction to CNIM.
The group next meets at AME Roundup in Vancouver. CNIM is a gold sponsor of Yukon Night at and will be part of the tradeshow January 20-23, 2025.