TMU CSR Institute zoom session: Mining Personnel Safety/Security Risks - Addressing Evolving Challenges (a conversation with Ross Gallinger)

From a personnel standpoint, the extraction of natural resources is an inherently dangerous activity, involving as it does the deployment of and interaction with heavy complex equipment, constantly evolving worksite conditions, and variable supporting infrastructure. When extraction is taking place in jurisdictions associated with significant societal conflict (including terrorism and high levels of organized crime), there are security implications for workers, in addition to the more conventional occupational health and safety (OHS) risks. Given that extractive sector personnel employed both in Canada and abroad continue to experience serious risks of harm and death, the key question explored in this session is: are current due diligence approaches to identifying, managing and responding to occupational safety and security risks adequate, or is there value in revisiting and improving them? This could potentially involve changes in training, processes, technology, as well as programs, standards and laws. Ideally positioned to shed light on this subject, via a TMU CSR Institute "in conversation" session, is veteran mining executive Ross Gallinge

About the Speaker

As a now-retired mining executive with significant sustainability responsibilities in several companies and at a major Canadian industry association, Mr. Gallinger is uniquely qualified to shed light on the navigation of corporate environmental, social and governance issues. He has over 35 years of experience in managerial and operational roles in the mining industry in the Americas with extensive responsibilities in health, safety, environment and community relations portfolios. In addition to operations and managerial roles, Mr. Gallinger had executive roles at Yamana Gold, IAMGOLD Corporation and Placer Dome Inc and was the Executive Director for the Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada. Mr. Gallinger holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture from the University of British Columbia, and is a Professional Agrologist.

About the Moderator

Dr. Kernaghan Webb holds Bachelor's, Masters and Doctorate degrees in law, and is an Associate Professor in the Toronto Metropolitan University Department of Law and Business. He is also the Founding Director of the TMU Institute for the Study of Corporate Social Responsibility. Prof. Webb's extensive law and regulation research and publications have among other things been cited and quoted  (external link) by the Supreme Court of Canada. Dr. Webb has also been employed by or advised governments and inter-governmental bodies, and he has been on the board of directors or otherwise assisted private sector, civil society organizations on regulatory matters. Professor Webb was appointed Special Advisor to the UN Global Compact regarding the development of the ISO 26000 social responsibility standard, he has played leadership roles in the development of international and national social and economic standards, and received international and national recognition for his leadership.

--------

Upcoming TMU CSR Institute Talks

See TMU CSR Institute website.

-------

Recent TMU CSR Institute News

December 2, 2025 -- TMU Law & Business Grad Using CSR & Law Skills in David v. Goliath Courtroom Victory, click here.

December 4, 2025 -- CSR Institute Collaborators Publish IBA Article on Global Threats to the Rule of Law, click here.

--------

For more information concerning past TMU CSR Institute events, videos and related information, click here.

To be included or removed from the TMU CSR Institute event email list, please email kernaghan.webb@torontomu.ca with "subscribe" or “unsubscribe” in the subject heading.

Follow TMU CSR Institute on X (@torontomu_csr) and Bluesky (@torontomu-csr.bsky.social).