MINING PEOPLE: Vale, Cassius Ventures, Minera Alamos, and Rubicon Minerals

Samantha Espley, Vale's general manager of mines and mill technical services (Ontario operations), has won the 2015 award for Support of Women in the Engineering Profession from Engineers Canada. She received recognition for hr achievements as an engineer and significant contributions in support of women in the industry. The award was made in Calgary on May 21, 2015.

Vancouver-based Cassius Ventures says Steven Dean has resigned, leaving John A. Thomas to take over those duties as well as his own as president and CEO.  Joining the board is Chris Batalha, the company's CFO and secretary.

Minera Alamos of Toronto has named Darren Koningen its new president, and Christ Frostad will continue as CEO. The company also appointed Bruce Durham to the board with responsibility for the audit committee.

Bill Shand is the new VP operations at Rubicon Minerals Corp. of Toronto. He was until recently the VP of operations and maintenance strategy for Goldcorp. Shand holds a bachelor of metallurgical engineering (honours) from the Technical University of Nova Scotia. He will be based in Red Lake, ON.