Meet the Board: Bill Burton
Bill Burton, Vice President of Geological and Geotechnical Engineering at BGC Engineering Inc., brings over 25 years of experience in resource development to his role on the Board of Directors at the Bradshaw Research Initiative for Minerals and Mining (BRIMM). Throughout his career, Burton has contributed to every stage of the mining lifecycle—from discovery and design to construction, operations, and the transition to post-development landscapes. Alongside his primary responsibilities, Burton also leads BGC’s Horizon 3 Research & Development, focusing on emerging technologies to tackle modern engineering and environmental challenges in mining.
With this breadth of expertise, Burton has a holistic view of the technical and environmental challenges facing today’s mining industry. “Having been involved from preliminary economic assessments to closure,” he explains, “I have visibility on what the technical challenges are in the mining industry and can bring that perspective to BRIMM.” His background in both the fundamentals of geotechnical engineering and the strategic needs of the industry makes him a valuable asset in guiding BRIMM’s research themes and identifying collaborative solutions.
For Burton, BRIMM’s real power lies in its ability to support applied research by bridging academia and industry—two worlds that he sees as having a shared commitment yet different operational languages. “BRIMM is a powerful force for applied research,” he says. “It facilitates the connection between industry and academia, but it doesn’t stop there. It also supports the collaboration needed to make those connections productive. Collaboration between academia and industry is hard work. There are different languages, and it takes time. BRIMM gives them the space to work together, where those interactions can actually lead to outcomes.”
Burton’s own journey to BRIMM reflects the importance of personal connections within the industry. A graduate of the University of British Columbia (UBC) with a degree in Geological Engineering, he has built a career in Vancouver’s mining sector and developed connections with many of BRIMM’s leaders. “One of my mentors was Ian Bruce, and I got to know Peter Bradshaw through him,” Burton shares. “As Peter was setting up the foundation, he reached out, and I was very happy to bring my perspective to BRIMM.”
Burton envisions BRIMM addressing a critical need in the mining industry: increasing mineral production to meet global demand while minimizing environmental impact. “The needs for minerals are reaching a peak, especially with the push for sustainable development and alternatives to fossil fuels,” he explains. “Now, the challenge is, how do we get those minerals and solve those other problems without causing entirely new ones?”
Burton sees the solutions to these problems lying in interdisciplinary collaboration, with BRIMM connecting experts across fields, from biotechnology to social sciences. “We need all those different disciplines,” he emphasizes, noting that BRIMM’s project-based model allows relationships to develop, paving the way for future collaborations. Burton remains passionate about the opportunity to foster these meaningful, multi-disciplinary connections that drive innovation. “I hope BRIMM will continue to build relationships across projects,” he says. “Each time, these groups get better at working together, and that’s where new solutions emerge.”