Rob Winton has been replaced as head of Hudbay’s Manitoba operations.
Andre Lauzon, who currently works as technical director, mining, base metals, for nickel miner Vale in Sudbury, Ontario, will succeed Winton effective Aug. 1.
“Hudbay is at a critical juncture in Manitoba,” Hudbay president and CEO Alan Hair told The Reminder. “The challenge is to deliver production, manage the 777 and Reed transitions, maximize the opportunities for Lalor and Snow Lake and plan for the years ahead in a weak metal price environment.
“It’s an unusual number of competing priorities and problems at once. So we are fortunate to be bringing Andre Lauzon on board, who will take on the role of vice-president, Manitoba Business Unit, in early August. He brings more than 20 years experience in technical, operating and leadership roles, most recently at Vale in Sudbury, Ontario, and we think that positions him very well to lead the Manitoba business with a focus on safety, economics and strategy.”
According to his LinkedIn.com profile, Lauzon has also worked for Kinross Gold Corp and Barrick Gold Corp.
Winton’s departure took effect Tuesday. He had been the Flin Flon-based senior vice-president, Manitoba Business Unit, for nearly two years.
Originally from New Westminster, BC, Winton joined what was then HBM&S in 1997, fresh off earning a chemical engineering degree from the University of Saskatchewan.
In July 2014, Winton, then 42, took over as head of Hudbay’s Manitoba operations, succeeding Brad Lantz. Lantz had accepted a position at Hudbay’s head office in Toronto.
“Rob is a veteran of our Manitoba operations; rising through nine roles at the mill, zinc plant and former smelter before his promotion to leader of the business unit,” read an internal Hudbay memo issued July 21, 2014 and shared with The Reminder by the company.
The Reminder will have more on Hudbay and its plans going forward on Friday.
