** This is the event that charges US dollars. If you want to pay in Canadian dollars, please search for the 2025 Mine Backfill – Design & Operation Course CAD event on Eventbrite.ca or follow the USD link on our brochure at PatersonCooke.com**

The course. presented by Paterson & Cooke, is designed for all professionals involved in backfill applications, including:
- Mining and geotechnical engineers
- Chemical and mineral processing engineers
- Mechanical engineers
- Operational staff
- Project and/or study managers
- Business decision makers
- Government legislators and policy makers

Objectives

Participants will gain an appreciation of the requirements for designing and operating a safe, cost-effective and reliable backfill system. The course objectives are to:

Introduce the fundamental concepts of geo-mechanics and material properties;

Examine the various elements that go into engineering a backfill system, including testing, plant and process design, reticulation and barricades;

Relate to operational aspects of a backfill system including quality assurance, cost reduction, operational management plans, risk control and new technology.

Content and Program

The intensive course consists of 3 days of technical lectures, case studies and laboratory demonstration sessions, followed by an optional site visit (surface and underground) to Agnico Eagle’s Macassa Mine to examine it's paste backfill system. The course will be delivered in English.

Presenters

The course is presented by Paterson & Cooke senior staff, with contributions from guest speakers. All key lecturers will be available throughout the week for discussion and questions.

Rob Brown Director, (Mining) Engineer, leads P&C’s global backfill group and specializes in pastefill and system design, construction and commissioning.

Maureen McGuinness Director, (Process) Engineer, specializes in pipeline wear and adds direct operational experience from years managing the Kidd Mine pastefill system.

Dr. Ben Thompson Senior Geomechanics Specialist, an expert on backfill in-situ behaviour focused on optimizing paste strength design, barricade design and placement strategies based on underground operational needs.

Bruno Salvoldi Senior (Civil) Engineer, has over 15 years’ experience combines civil engineering with backfill design. He specializes in the application of geochemistry to binder selection in backfill applications.

Stephen Wilson Director, (Mining) Engineer, adds international expertise from mining in Europe and CIS countries and integrating tailings management and backfill technologies.

Dates and Location

The course will be held from Monday, July 28th through Thursday, July 31st, 2025. The first three days will be held in Sudbury, Ontario at the Laurentian Executive Learning Center with lab demonstrations held at Paterson & Cooke's backfill laboratory. The optional fourth day is a site visit to the Macassa Mine, an Agnico Eagle Operation, in Kirkland Lake, Ontario; a 3.5 hour drive from Sudbury, requiring an overnight stay on Wednesday. Transportation by bus, one nights’ accommodation, dinner on Wednesday, and lunch on Thursday is included in the site visit fee.

Fees and Registration

Space is limited for the site visit and therefore registration for the site visit will be on a first come, first served basis.

The sponsor reserves the right to cancel the course or the site visit and return registration fees if enrollment is insufficient.

Personnel substitutions may be made up to 5 days prior to the beginning of the event without penalty. Cancellation and refund policy is as follows:

Full refund – If cancelled before July 14th and the seat can be filled.

50% refund - If cancelled before July 14th but the seat could not be filled.

No refunds will be made to attendees who cancel after July 14th.

Contact

Registration and Wait List Inquiries: Alexandra Hiles, Alexandra.Hiles@PatersonCooke.com

Technical Inquiries: Backfill-Course@patersoncooke.com

Paterson & Cooke Canada Inc., 3161-B Herold Drive, Sudbury, Ontario, Canada P3E 6K9
Tel: +1 (705) 222-1720

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2025 Mine Backfill – Design & Operation Course USD