Huron Mining has a new leader, following the retirement of founder and long-time president Guy Chenard.
The mine development company, which is based in Blind River, will now be led by Guy’s son, Alain Chenard. The company made the announcement in a pair of recent social media posts.
An engineer by training, Alain has more than 25 years of experience in the mining industry, starting out as a mine surveyor in Red Lake before moving up the engineering ranks to senior mine planner.
He worked as project engineer for the Snap Lake Mine while with Procon Mining and Tunnelling, and later joined Cementation, where he worked as project engineer, superintendent, and project manager, gaining experience with lateral development shaft sinking, and underground construction.
Alain additionally worked for Redpath on the Red Lake Cochenour shaft-sinking project as field shaft engineer.
He joined the family company in 2016, most recently serving as operations manager, a position he held for seven years before moving into the president’s role.
Alain takes over from his father, Guy, a long-time mining industry stalwart with more than 50 years in the industry.
Guy’s career in mining began at INCO in the 1970s before he shifted his focus to mine contracting.
“His hard work ethic and natural aura of leadership rapidly propelled him to the high paying roles of the mining contractor of the times,” the company notes in a statement.
Over the years, Guy has worked as a jumbo operator, Alimak miner, shaft sinker, supervisor, superintendent, and raise bore supervisor. He left his mark with companies including Redpath, RamRaising, Canadian Mine Enterprise, and Dynatec.
Guy launched his own contracting business, which was later renamed to Huron Mining, in the 1990s.
“Within a few short years, Guy became the go-to contractor to help on new shaft startups, specializing in shaft collars, giving Huron Mining more than 25 shaft collars completed across Ontario, Manitoba, Quebec,” the company notes.
After announcing Guy’s retirement in early 2023, the company’s ownership now shifts to his son, Alain, and Celeste Bodson.
Initially a drilling and blasting company specializing in shaft collar excavations, Huron Mining now offers an extensive list of services covering underground and surface mine construction.
