Who are we

Our Team

Meet the team

20+ year experience

Central to our mission is the recognition that successful initiatives must harmonize environmental preservation, community success, and broad-based benefits.

Our core offering is our fractional Chief Sustainability Officer (CSO) service, designed to support junior miners and project developers in navigating ESG complexities without the overhead of a full-time executive. With our experienced professionals, you can address sustainability challenges effectively while staying focused on your core business.

At CWS, our mission is clear: to champion sustainability, promote social responsibility, and pave the way for a future where resource development coexists harmoniously with environmental conservation. Join us as we navigate the path to responsible resource development together.

Amiel Blajchman, MES, P.Ag.
Amiel Blajchman, MES, P.Ag.
President and CEO

For nearly 20 years, Amiel Blajchman has brought environmental and social risk expertise to natural resources and energy projects around the world.

His work has included executive and advisory positions, project development, operations and closure/rehabilitation in Canada, the United States, Africa, South America, the Caribbean and Asia. Amiel is an auditor/verifier under Towards Sustainable Mining, Copper Mark, and Responsible Gold Mining Principles audit programs.

In addition to his professional work, Amiel contributes his time and experience as a board member of various community-based organizations and chairing risk and governance committees.

Malcolm Downie
Malcolm Downie
Senior Associate
Malcolm Downie, a seasoned Environmental Professional (EP), brings over 30 years of expertise in corporate environmental management, environmental and social impact assessments, and community engagement within the mining sector. With extensive experience in both public and private mining companies, Malcolm has held senior roles overseeing projects across Canada, the USA, and Mexico, from early exploration to production stages. His field experience spans gold, base metals, and diamond exploration projects nationwide. Malcolm's proficiency in site permitting, closure planning, and managing environmental assessments in multiple countries establishes him as a trusted liaison between corporations, government agencies, contractors, and local stakeholders.
Andrea Christina Berenkey, M.Env.Sc
Andrea Christina Berenkey, M.Env.Sc
Senior Associate

With over ten years experience consulting in both the public and private sectors, Andrea specializes in providing strategic expertise related to the environment, public policy, consultation, relationship building, stakeholder management and environmental sustainability. Her fields of experience have included the extractives, transportation, power, and public infrastructure in Canada.

Andrea brings a proven track record working in environmental policy, regulation and compliance including environmental impact assessments and reviews, investigations, risk assessment, due diligence and auditing, sustainability reporting, corporate training, and community and indigenous capacity building.

Amiel Blajchman

President and CEO

With over 20 years of experience, Mr. Blajchman is a seasoned professional in mineral exploration, mine and energy project development, and ESG matters. He holds credentials as a professional Agrologist (PAg.) and auditor/verifier under various industry standards. Mr. Blajchman has collaborated with national and subnational regulators and engaged with over 45 indigenous communities globally. Notably, he played a pivotal role in the early development of the Ring of Fire in Northern Ontario and led environmental assessments and indigenous consultation for Greenstone Gold Mine and the Magino Mine in Ontario, both achieving commercial production. He also shares his expertise as a sessional instructor at the University of Toronto and has developed courses in ESG for various institutions. Additionally, Mr. Blajchman is actively involved in industry committees and associations such as the PDAC’s Sustainability Committee and the Mining Association of Canada’s Environment Committee.

Malcolm Downie

Senior Associate
Malcolm Downie, a seasoned Environmental Professional (EP), brings over 30 years of expertise in corporate environmental management, environmental and social impact assessments, and community engagement within the mining sector. With extensive experience in both public and private mining companies, Malcolm has held senior roles overseeing projects across Canada, the USA, and Mexico, from early exploration to production stages. His field experience spans gold, base metals, and diamond exploration projects nationwide. Malcolm’s proficiency in site permitting, closure planning, and managing environmental assessments in multiple countries establishes him as a trusted liaison between corporations, government agencies, contractors, and local stakeholders.

Andrea Christina Berenkey, M.Env.Sc

Senior Associate

With over ten years experience consulting in both the public and private sectors, Andrea specializes in providing strategic expertise related to the environment, public policy, consultation, relationship building, stakeholder management and environmental sustainability. Her fields of experience have included the extractives, transportation, power, and public infrastructure in Canada.

Andrea brings a proven track record working in environmental policy, regulation and compliance including environmental impact assessments and reviews, investigations, risk assessment, due diligence and auditing, sustainability reporting, corporate training, and community and indigenous capacity building.