A managerial shakeup has brought Hudbay a new Manitoba boss.
Rob Winton has been appointed vice-president, Manitoba Business Unit, at the company, replacing the recently promoted Brad Lantz.
“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 and shared with The Reminder by the company.
A graduate of the chemical engineering program at the University of Saskatchewan, Winton joined what was then HBMS in 1997.
Corporate office
Meanwhile, Lantz is headed to Hudbay’s corporate office in Toronto after being named vice-president, business development and technical services.
“Brad has been an excellent and insightful leader of the Manitoba Business Unit with more than 30 years of experience in mine operations and development,” read the company memo.
Lantz, who holds a bachelor of science in earth sciences from the University of Waterloo, joined HBMS in 1987. He was named head of Manitoba operations in mid-2012 following Tom Goodman’s retirement.
In his new position, Lantz succeeds Pat Merrin, who will fill Hudbay’s new position of vice-president, Arizona Business Unit, as the company plans to launch a copper mine in Arizona.
In a 2012 interview with The Reminder, Lantz said the trials and tribulations of mining appeal to him.
“I always like challenges and it’s always changing,” he said. “I think mining, in the number of years that I’ve been in [it], there have been remarkable improvements. We’ve come a long ways in safety – tremendous improvements there. And generally, mining in itself, with technological advances, there have been lots of improvements and I can see that coming again in the future. So lots of change, lots of growth and lots of opportunities in mining.”
Neither Winton nor Lantz could be reached for comment as of press time.
In other changes at Hudbay:
* Patrick Donnelly has been promoted to vice president and general counsel. He joined the company in 2008.
* Eugene Lei has been promoted to vice president, Corporate Development. He succeeds Ken Gillis, who is retiring. Lei joined Hudbay in 2012.
* Hernan Soza, vice president, Exploration, will retire from Hudbay effective Sept. 5. At that time, Hudbay’s corporate exploration group will begin reporting to Lantz.
“Each move reflects Hudbay’s commitment to offer our people the opportunity to move into roles that change and challenge,” read the memo, “and where they can put their experience and talent to best use in contributing to our success.”
