Virginia Heffernan
Science & Business Writer
Toronto-based writer specializing in science and business. She provides research and writing services to both corporate and government entities and is a contributor to several publications.
Virginia holds a BSc in earth sciences from Queen's University, an MSc from the University of Toronto's School of the Environment, and an MFA in creative non-fiction from the University of King's College. She has been nominated for two National Magazine Awards for "Best Profile of a Company" and was a 2019 Tabbie Award finalist.
Her book, Ring of Fire: High Stakes Mining in a Lowlands Wilderness, was published by ECW Press in Spring 2023.
Background
Virginia Heffernan worked internationally as a field geologist and then as a staff writer for The Northern Miner. She went on to complete an MSc in environmental science before launching GeoPen Communications. She received her MFA in creative non-fiction in 2021 and in 2023 published Ring of Fire: High Stakes Mining in a Lowlands Wilderness (ECW Press) to critical acclaim.
Virginia provides research and writing services to a broad range of international clients including newspapers, magazines, book publishers, government ministries and corporations. Her areas of expertise include mineral exploration, mining finance, green technology and renewable energy.
A reputation for accuracy and punctuality, combined with the ability to translate complex scientific and financial concepts into lively prose, has allowed Virginia's business to flourish.
Education
Volunteer Work
Research & Writing Services
With her background in exploration geology and a solid grounding in securities, Virginia can decipher the language of geoscientists and investors alike to provide compelling articles about the science and business of mineral exploration & mining.
Her postgraduate education in environmental science gives her a unique understanding of the risks and benefits of resource extraction and the science behind CSR initiatives.
Virginia provides a range of writing services to magazines, government, and corporate clients including:
- Articles
- Blog posts
- Company & personal profiles
- Press releases
- Substantive editing
- Research reports
Virginia is also an avid hiker, hockey player and XC skier and sometimes writes about her experiences on the trails and rinks.
Selected Client Work
International Council on Metals and the Environment (ICME)
Edited Case Studies on Tailings Management, a report prepared by technical experts from around the world to illustrate approaches used in managing the risks of tailings containment systems.
Ontario's Investment Office
"Success" stories of companies working in Ontario, from a junior explorer in Sudbury to a mining equipment design firm that landed a contract with the Canadian Space Agency.
Mergermarket US
Comprehensive report on the state of global mining mergers & acquisitions in 2017.
Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada (PDAC)
Annual profiles of 2018 PDAC award winners.
Clients
- Canadian Mining Hall of Fame
- Financial Times Energy
- Epiroc
- Firmex
- Geosoft
- Health Canada
- Int'l Council on Metals & the Environment
- Mergermarket US
- Mining Family Matters (Adelaide)
- Ontario Investment Office
- Ontario Mining Association
- PricewaterhouseCoopers
- PDAC
- The Nickel Institute
Books & Reports
Writing Samples
Periodical Credits
- Canadian Consulting Engineer
- Canadian Mining Journal
- CIM Magazine
- Diamonds in Canada
- Earth Explorer
- Engineering & Mining Journal
- Explore
- Financial Post
- Investment Executive
- Literary Review of Canada
- Maclean's
- MinerAndina Comunicaciones (Lima)
- Mining Markets
- National Post
- Nickel (Brussels)
- Nunatsiaq News
- The Globe and Mail
- The Northern Miner
Testimonials
This, like Eiseley's meditations, is nature writing with supersized skill.— David Marks Shribman, Literary Review of Canada
Earth Explorer is becoming a credible voice, and the credit for that goes largely to you. I can't thank you enough for your efforts.— Carmela Burns, Corporate Marketing Director, Geosoft Inc.
I'm so happy you're writing for CCE. Your research is sound and your writing is excellent.— Bronwen Parsons, Editor, Canadian Consulting Engineer
I just wanted to congratulate you on doing such a tremendous job with the financial incentives story: not an easy topic, and it looks fabulous.— Nadim Kara, Senior Program Director, PDAC
That was very good work you did for us. All your reads were well-written, interesting, & informative.— James Walker, Former Managing Editor, Investment Executive
I think you did an excellent job on the property valuation assignment. It's a tough topic to get your arms around, but you did a masterful job of weaving the various trends and developments together.— Russell Carter, Managing Editor, Engineering & Mining Journal
I wish to compliment you on your Black Hawk piece. It is refreshing to see attention to the details.— Michael Gareau, Former Vice-President Exploration, Black Hawk Mining
Thank you for the copies of From the Ground Up. I take pride in the fact that we have achieved something beneficial for Canada. For this, I pay tribute to ECW Press and to Virginia Heffernan.— Robert Evans, Executor of Viola MacMillan's Estate
Your article on Monroe Minerals was very, very nicely done. Your lead was one of the most vivid I've read in The Northern Miner for a long time. The other key point is that you had all the facts straight, which is often the toughest thing in this kind of writing.— Olav Svela, Former Editor, The Northern Miner
Bloody hell, this is fantastic Virginia.— Lainie Anderson, Editor, Mining Family Matters
Useful Links
Organizations
Publications
Contact
Virginia welcomes enquiries from editors, publishers, and corporate clients.