Safer Together: Lessons from an Industry Leader
Date/Time: Wednesday, November 3 | 11:30am
Location: Hudbay Stage
Abstract: Safety Framework to Safe Actions: Transition from Legacy Silos to Platform Unity
Speaker: Taylor Thiessen, Hudbay Minerals and Gus Minor, Sofvie Inc.
Hudbay’s Lalor mine in Manitoba partnered with Sofvie Inc. to digitize its paper-based safety processes, moving away from fragmented spreadsheets, paper forms, and delayed hazard reporting. An initial study framed by the Bradley Curve showed Lalor operating in a reactive state, highlighting the need for stronger feedback loops and shared accountability.
Led by Lalor’s Continuous Improvement Lead and a Sofvie Client Success Specialist, the team implemented the sofvie platform to digitize field risk assessments, hazard reporting, and peer recognition—all while maintaining ISO 45001 compliance. Through regular working sessions, they integrated site technology, resolved technical hurdles like single sign-on, refined workflows based on user feedback, and built tailored features like an “all submissions” supervisor view.
Early outcomes include streamlined audit compliance tracking, eliminated manual data entry, and faster action-routing. Centralized data, such as time-stamped photos, now informs site production and planning discussions. The project provides practical lessons for operator-technology partnerships as Hudbay prepares for a broader rollout to drive safety culture and operational performance across its Manitoba Business Unit. Canadian injury trends and Mining-relevant examples, participants will explore why high-risk activities fail even in compliant environments and how a safe-to-fail mindset and layered controls can better protect workers, patients, and critical infrastructure.
Speakers
Taylor Thiessen, Hudbay Minerals
Taylor Thiessen is the Continuous Improvement Lead at Hudbay Minerals, where he focuses on improving operational performance and strengthening safety practices at Lalor Mine in Manitoba. He brings more than a decade of experience in the industry, with a background that spans both technical and frontline operational roles.
After graduating from the University of Saskatchewan in 2015 with a B.Sc. in Geology, Taylor began his career in exploration and production geology. He quickly moved into leadership roles in the field, gaining hands-on experience in development, production, construction, and longhole supervision. This range of experience has given him a practical understanding of the day-to-day realities of underground mining and the broader operational challenges that come with it.
In his current role, Taylor is leading the implementation of Sofvie across Hudbay Snow Lake operations, currently supporting more than 750 personnel. His work focuses on integrating digital tools into daily operations in a way that is practical for crews and supervisors, helping teams capture better information from the field and use it to support safer and more efficient work.
Gus Minor, Hudbay Minerals
Young tech entrepreneur who after 15 years working on commercial networks, who then took some time to learn the mining sector for a decade starting with hands-on experience to later project superintendent in underground projects now COO of Sofvie Inc. Gus has a passion for challenges and working with teams to create the best outcomes possible. Sofvie has now been able to help leaders create world class safe production environments with its safe performance platform.
Chair
Ashton Crone, Hudbay Minerals
Ashton is a seasoned mining professional with a 19-year career at Hudbay Minerals, commencing in 2007. His extensive experience spans various operational and management roles, including General Foreman, Superintendent, Manager, and most recently, Director of Business Planning. With a focus on Milling and Processing Plants, Ashton brings extensive expertise in safety, operations, and project management, consistently driving continuous improvement and operational excellence. Notably, he led the successful commissioning and ramp-up of Hudbay’s New Britannia Gold Mill refurbishment project in 2021, and the Stall Mill phase 1 upgrades in 2023, solidifying Hudbay’s position as a leading gold producer in Manitoba.
Ashton’s vision lies in fostering the growth of Manitoba’s mining sector through the development of skilled labor, strategic infrastructure investments, strong government alignment, and the advancement of cutting-edge technology. He is committed to ensuring Manitoba remains a leading mining jurisdiction for years to come.