Sarah Heffernan

Biography

Growing up, Sarah developed a passion for the outdoors, mathematics, and sciences. While exploring career options in Grade 11, she discovered the field of mining engineering, which piqued her interest. After considering nursing as an alternative, Sarah made an early decision to pursue engineering, enticed by the prospect of traveling to remote locations for work and the promising job opportunities after graduation. This led her to study Mining and Mineral Engineering at the University of Toronto, where she successfully graduated in 2017.

Sarah began her career at Barrick Gold’s corporate office in Toronto as an Investment Analyst. Due to limited availability of mining engineering graduate positions at the time, she was thrilled to secure a position with one of the world’s largest gold miners right after completing her studies. During her tenure at Barrick, the company underwent a decentralization process that required the centralization of their data systems. It was then that Sarah joined the Value Realization team, assuming the role of project manager for the data visualization team. In this capacity, she assisted in the development of a digital analytical platform aimed at promoting continuous improvement and enhancing data transparency throughout the organization.

Seeking new challenges, Sarah decided to relocate to Marathon, Ontario, and joined Barrick’s Hemlo operation. It was here that she acquired valuable experience in underground drill and blast techniques, as well as paste fill design. Immersed in the role, Sarah developed a deep passion for operational excellence and had the privilege of contributing to the implementation of a management operating system, sharpening her skills in people and process management. The camaraderie among the onsite engineers and geologists added to the positive experience she had at Hemlo.

After two successful years at Barrick, Sarah followed her instincts and moved to the United Kingdom to join SRK Consulting. This highly technical position allowed her to assume the lead engineer role for numerous open pit and underground mining studies. Her responsibilities included supporting scoping, pre-feasibility, and feasibility studies, encompassing crucial aspects such as mine design, scheduling, financial modeling, and strategic planning.

In pursuit of further on-site mining experience, Sarah returned to Canada and joined Alamos Gold’s Island Gold operation in Duberville as a Project Engineer. However, shortly after starting her role, an intriguing opportunity presented itself when she was approached by BDO Canada. Making the decision was challenging, as she had to consider her aspirations for the future, especially regarding starting a family. With her fiancé in the process of relocating to Canada, Sarah realized that a fly-in, fly-out position would not align well with their desired family life. After careful consideration, she chose to follow her passion for operational excellence and joined the BDO Lixar Data Advisory team as their Mining Technical Lead. In her current capacity, she closely collaborates with mining companies, assisting them in digitizing their operations.

Presently, her focus remains on helping mining companies streamline their operations through digital transformation, enabling them to make data-driven decisions that drive efficiency and enhance overall performance. With BDO, she has had the opportunity to travel to visit sites, which has also given her the opportunity to learn about new cultures. One such example was a site visit in Egypt, which allowed her to also visit Luxor and Giza to see the pyramids and the Valley of the Kings.

Sarah aims to leave a lasting impact and legacy for the next generation of women in the mining industry, contributing to a more inclusive and equitable industry where women have equal opportunities, representation, and recognition. She wants to inspire young women to pursue careers in mining, breaking through barriers and stereotypes. By advocating for inclusive policies, mentorship programs, and networking opportunities, she aims to support the professional growth and advancement of women in the mining industry.