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THE NORTHWEST TERRITORIES MINERALS INDUSTRY OFFERS MANY MINING AND EXPLORATION EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

NWT Minerals Industry Career Catalogue Mining North Works! | Career Catalogue - I

TABLE OF CONTENTS

DIAMOND MINES GENERATE BIG BENEFITS...... 2 MINING’S AN OPPORTUNITY...... 3 DIAMOND MINES IN CANADA’S NORTHWEST TERRITORIES...... 4 OTHER ADVANCING PROJECTS...... 5 MINERALS INDUSTRY – OFFERS A VARIETY OF CAREERS...... 6-8 COMMUNITIES ADVISER, Winter Bailey...... 9 COMMUNITY LIAISON, Shirley Tsetta...... 10 CONTROLS AND COMMUNICATION, TEAM LEADER, Mark Steinwand...... 11 DRILLER BLASTER, Daniel Acton...... 12 ELECTRICAL SUPERINTENDENT, Mark Campbell...... 13 ENVIRONMENT COORDINATOR, Kyla Gray...... 14 ENVIRONMENTAL OFFICER, Shawn Taylor...... 15 ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNICIAN, Justin Grandjambe...... 16 GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS (GIS) TECHNOLOGIST, Julia Merola...... 17 HEAVY EQUIPMENT OPERATOR, Trudy Beaulieu...... 18 HUMAN RESOURCES OFFICER, SENIOR, Courtney Arychuk...... 19 LOGISTICS AND EXPEDITING SPECIALIST, Branko Babic...... 20 MAINTENANCE MACHINIST, Nickolus Minde...... 21 MAINTAINER, PRODUCT SORTING FACILITY, Justin Mager...... 22 METALLURGIST, Charu Singhania...... 23 MILLWRIGHT, Andrew Weyallon...... 24 MOBILE MAINTENANCE PLANNER, Dennis Nolting...... 25 MOBILE MAINTENANCE SUPERINTENDENT, Darcy Sinclair...... 26 OCCUPATIONAL HYGIENIST, Cara Benoit...... 27 OPERATIONS CONTRACT PERFORMANCE MANAGER, Andrea Sluggett...... 28 PERMITTING SUPERINTENDENT, Lynn Boettger...... 29 PROCESS PLANT LEAD HAND, Aaron Campbell...... 30 PROJECT GEOLOGIST, Dave Cox...... 31 SAP MASTER DATA SPECIALIST, Steven Walsh...... 32 SECURITY INVESTIGATOR, Winnie Corneille...... 33 UNDERGROUND OPERATIONS SUPERINTENDENT, Philip Lewis...... 34 RESOURCES...... 35 MINING NORTH WORKS! PARTNERS ...... 36 DIAMOND MINES GENERATE BIG BENEFITS

SINCE 2003 234 trained trades journeypersons 234

68 trades apprentices including 46 northern, 68 20 Indigenous

15% $12 million ~ 1,500 of total workforce is invested annually comprised of women in community northern jobs development 48% northern employment

ENORMOUS EMPLOYMENT BENEFITS SINCE 1996 Over 1,000 northern jobs each year for over 25 years 48% Nearly 30,000 northern Person years northern employment Over 60,000 Person years total employment

Source: Mines’ socio economic monitoring reports 2 - Mining North Works! | Career Catalogue One person year equals 2,184 hours of work MINING’S AN OPPORTUNITY Education and training key to career success In the Northwest Territories, mining includes over 100 careers! Most of the industry’s jobs require high school, college, university, trades apprenticeship training, or years of experience. Northern residents need to be aware of the opportunities and prepare.

North’s young population are job seekers In the Northwest Territories, by 2030, 11,000 youth will complete their education journey and be looking for employment. In its Skills4Success 15-year forecast, the Government of the Northwest Territories reports there will be several thousand territorial jobs openings including many in mining. Mining is the Northwest Territories largest private sector employer of Indigenous peoples and young Indigenous populations in the North live in the same areas where resource companies operate.

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Mining North Works! | Career Catalogue - 3 DIAMOND MINES IN CANADA’S NORTHWEST TERRITORIES CREATING CHALLENGING CAREERS Companies are committed to hiring northern and northern Indigenous peoples and to gender diversity The territory’s diamond mines strongly believe local residents should be first in line for employment opportunities and the mines have been very successful hiring and training northerners. These are large mines and together they employ over 3,000 people, far exceeding the total number of jobs originally predicted. But northerners only fill 48 per cent of the total. Mines are striving to improve local employment but raising the percentage has been difficult as many of the jobs require technical skills, trades training, post secondary education, and experience. The mines are also working to increase the number of women they employ. Currently, women comprise only 15 per cent. For northerners who pursue an education and get the skills needed, these gaps represent major career opportunities and should encourage northerners and women to pursue mining jobs.

EKATI DIAMONDS Dominion Diamond Mines

• Employment 1,625 • Mine life 1998 - 2034 DIAVIK DIAMONDS Rio Tinto/Dominion Diamond Mines

Employment 1,113 • Mine life 2003 - 2025 •

GAHCHO KUÉ DIAMONDS De Beers Canada/ Mountain Province Diamonds

Employment 483 • Mine life 2016 - 2028 •

4 - Mining North Works! | Career Catalogue OTHER ADVANCING PROJECTS Even more career opportunities In addition to the three operating diamond mines, the Northwest Territories has several well advanced projects that could become operating mines – bringing potential new career opportunities for northerners who develop skills to meet the demand. Prior to becoming operating mines, these projects will also create several hundred construction jobs. Mine construction employees can potentially transition to full-time jobs in the operating phase.

Some projects, including NICO, Prairie Creek, and Pine Point, have projections for employment and mine life. Other projects with the potential to become mines include Kennady North (diamonds), Indin Lake (gold), Courageous Lake (gold), Selwyn (zinc- lead), Nechalacho (rare earth elements), Mactung (tungsten), and Yellowknife Gold. Advanced projects are those that have measured deposits and/or have completed or are in the environmental approvals process.

MACTUNG HOWARD’S PASS INDIN LAKE TUNGSTEN LEAD, ZINC GOLD YT/NT border Selwyn Chihong Nighthawk Gold NWT government owned Yukon-based with NWT access

NICO COBALT, GOLD, BISMUTH, COPPER Fortune Minerals Employment 150 | Mine life 20 years

COURAGEOUS LAKE GOLD Seabridge Gold Mine life 15 years

YELLOWKNIFE CITY GOLD GOLD TerraX Minerals

NECHALACHO RARE EARTH ELEMENTS Avalon Advanced Materials

KENNADY NORTH DIAMONDS PINE POINT Mountain Province Diamonds PRAIRIE CREEK LEAD, ZINC Osisko Metals LEAD, ZINC, SILVER Employment 331 | Mine life 13 years NorZinc (formerly Canadian Zinc) Employment 363 | Mine life 15 years

Mining North Works! | Career Catalogue - 5 EXPLORATION JOBS Hunting for treasure! Before mining, comes exploration. Prospectors and explorers are enormously important to the resource development industry.

With an entrepreneurial spirit, and a sense of adventure, role to play when it comes to clean technology. Industry prospectors and geologists use a combination of field work produces raw materials for renewable energy products, like and technology to identify potential deposits. Behind every wind turbines, solar panels, and electric cars. The North can discovery there is a lot of expertise, perseverance, and become a source for the raw materials the world needs to science. It also takes financial resources to explore, stake a transition to a low carbon future. Measuring the success of the claim, study, and diamond drill a target. mining industry will include how innovatively and responsibly it produces metals and minerals to fuel the green economy The North has vast untapped potential and exploration’s and incorporates the resulting technologies in its operations. footprint is tiny and often brief. Only about one in a thousand exploration targets become a mine, but when they do, they It begins with exploration. Mining, and the benefits that come create jobs, business benefits, improve community well-being, from it, is sustained by a healthy exploration environment. and contribute to governments through taxes and royalty Keep in mind, it takes years, even decades for an exploration payments. target to become a mine.

Mines produce the minerals and metals for the global market. In today’s operating environment, mining has a clear

6 - Mining North Works! | Career Catalogue JOBS IN EXPLORATION INCLUDE:

• Administrator • Geochemist • Logistics Coordinator

• Camp Cook • Geologist • Mechanic

• Camp Manager • Geophysicist • Geotechnician

• Claim Staker • Geophysical Surveyor • Medic (Aerial and Ground) • Cook Helper • Prospector • Geoscientist • Driller • Project Geologist • Geoscience Field Assistant • Driller Foreman • Safety Officer • GIS Technologist • Driller Helper • Support Staff • Helicopter Pilot • Expeditor • Surveyor • Helicopter • Fixed Wing • Surveyor Helper Aircraft Engineer Aircraft Pilot • Wildlife/Environmental • Ice Engineer • Fixed Wing Monitor Aircraft Engineer • Ice Road Building Crew

Mining North Works! | Career Catalogue - 7 MINING JOBS Huge variety! If you are looking to explore your career options in mining, there’s a wide range of job opportunities.

There are dozens of different types of jobs in mining. Here’s a list of many of the jobs available in mining. With this kind of variety, there’s an exciting and challenging career waiting for you in the North! Nationally, mining jobs are among highest paid in Canada, averaging $115,000 per year. Mining Industry Human Resources (MiHR), the council for the Canadian minerals and metals industry, projects there will be 116,000 mining job openings nationally over the next decade.

A G P

Accountant Geologist Payroll Adviser Administrative Adviser Geoscientist Permitting Superintendent Airport Technician Physician Assistant H Pipefitter B Plumber Health and Safety Adviser Process Plant Lead Hand Biologist Heavy Equipment Operator President and Chief Operating Officer Buyer Human Resources Officer Purchasing Supervisor

C I R

Chef Information Technologist Receptionist Communications Adviser Inventory Analyst Reliability Technician Communities Adviser Risk Analyst Community Liaison L Controls and Communication, Team Leader S Construction Labourer Lab Technician Legal Counsel SAP Master Data Specialist D Logistics and Expediting Specialist Security Investigator Site Services Superintendent Diamond Sorter/Cleaner M Surface/Open-pit Miner Dispatcher Surveyor Driller/Blaster Maintenance Machinist Document Controller Maintainer, Product Sorting Facility T Metallurgist E Millwright Technical Services Manager Mine Manager Trainer Electrical Superintendent Mobile Maintenance Planner Engineer Mobile Maintenance Superintendent U Environment Coordinator Environmental Officer/Technician O Underground Operations Superintendent Executive Assistant Underground Miner Occupational Hygienist F Operations Contract Performance Manager W

Financial Analyst Warehouse Superintendent/Supervisor Financial Reporting Manager Welder Fixed Plant Maintenance Superintendent

8 - Mining North Works! | Career Catalogue JOB GOALS • Engaging with community groups and representatives to support and participate in community activities • Planning, delivering, and managing site and community events • Responding to stakeholder and community inquiries and providing WINTER BAILEY feedback • Maintaining compliance registers Communities Adviser and documents including stakeholder lists DIAVIK DIAMOND MINE (Rio Tinto/Dominion Diamond Mines) • Monitoring and tracking community investment programs • Writing and producing As the communities adviser for the Diavik Diamond Mine, Winter interacts communication material for print with a variety of stakeholders including participation agreement signatories, and online community organizations, and community, territorial, and federal governments. SKILLS THAT PLAY A PART • Strong background in a She makes sure that Diavik’s commitments to the stakeholders are met community relations or and reported on. Winter takes pride in building strong relationships with communications role communities located near the Diavik Diamond Mine. • Strong verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to work effectively as Through its community agreements, known at Diavik as participation part of a team as well as liaise with and build relationships with agreements, the company builds stronger relationships. The agreements include stakeholders training, employment, and business spending commitments. • Strong organisational skills and ability to manage multiple projects and priorities Winter also manages the mine’s employee apprenticeship program and the • Be available to support Rio Diavik scholarships program. Scholarships are distributed by the company and Tinto in community events and activities outside of business its community partners. hours • Ability to be adaptable and Being a good corporate citizen is embedded in the values of Diavik Diamond flexible with proven ability to deliver results Mine and Winter shares this responsibility with all other mine workers and corporate office employees. EDUCATION AND TRAINING NEEDED • A tertiary qualification in community relations/development and/or communications, journalism or marketing • Desktop publishing experience

TRAINING RESOURCES • Northern Leadership Development Program

Mining North Works! | Career Catalogue - 9 JOB GOALS • Work with the mine and the communities to achieve 50 per cent Indigenous employment at Gahcho Kué and to meet 100 per cent of the mine’s training and other commitments under the impact benefit agreements and socio-economic agreement SHIRLEY TSETTA SKILLS THAT PLAY A PART Community Liaison • Diplomas in management studies and social work GAHCHO KUÉ DIAMOND MINE (De Beers Canada/Mountain Province Diamonds) EDUCATION AND TRAINING NEEDED As a community liaison with De Beers Canada, Shirley Tsetta has the crucial role • A good understanding of community politics and of making sure the company holds up to its commitments to local communities Indigenous history in the North with which it has impact benefit agreements. The include Indigenous (land claims, elected chiefs/ leaders, history of treaties, governments and communities near where De Beers operates. cultures, language, etc.), negotiating skills, experience in working and dealing with social, As a link between the mine and the community, Shirley has an active role justice, environmental, and in fostering and maintaining positive relationships with community leaders, social/cultural issues community members who are employees, and leadership at the mine. TRAINING RESOURCES • Aurora College leadership She has a breadth of experience in this field, having been elected for three terms development program as a councillor for the Yellowknives Dene First Nation and has served on the • Management, social work, and cultural studies board of directors for two community organizations representing Indigenous • High school diploma women and Indigenous small businesses. • Indigenous history/studies • Management/leadership classes Her role as a councillor and director gave her valuable skills in listening to others and making effective decisions, which she puts in practice in her role with De Beers.

Much of her work focuses on implementing the six impact benefit agreements between NWT First Nations and Métis and the Gahcho Kué Mine. This includes coordinating funding to community projects, organizing visits to the mine for the agreement groups, and visiting communities to give updates on the mine and on De Beers Canada’s socio-economic agreements.

10 - Mining North Works! | Career Catalogue JOB GOALS • The main goal is to keep all Ekati mine systems running smoothly

SKILLS THAT PLAY A PART • Be able to wear different hats to achieve desired results MARK STEINWAND • Be motivated to work hard Controls and Communication, EDUCATION AND TRAINING NEEDED Team Leader • Math, science, chemistry, and physics are critical to the tasks EKATI DIAMOND MINE (Dominion Diamond Mines) • Learn about mining laws and regulations

As team leader for controls and communication, Mark is responsible for running TRAINING RESOURCES a crew of six instrumentation technicians and four communications technicians. • NAIT offers certification in Together they are responsible for all the controls at the Ekati mine. This includes industrial instrumentation everything from the underground ventilation system to the security camera system. All the systems are important, but the controls in the process plant, where the ore is processed, are most critical to the running of the mine.

Mark works a two week on/two week off rotation. When he is at the mine, his focus is keeping the process plant running and the communications channels open. Another key concern for his team is maintaining and improving the efficiency of the x-ray machines. The x-ray machines are an integral part of the diamond recovery process. Ensuring they are sorting the concentrate efficiently is important to optimizing the running of the mine.

When asked about what he likes most about his job, Mark said, “There is nothing I dislike, but the best part of my job is that every day is different.” His advice to a young person trying to pursue a career in the mining industry is to be open to learning different things and not be afraid to fail.

Mining North Works! | Career Catalogue - 11 JOB GOALS • Safety is first. Every member of the team looks out for each other on the blast pattern, there are buddy checks, and they always section off the work area • They work as a team and safely provide blasted rock to keep the mining tools digging and the process plant processing DANIEL ACTON Driller Blaster SKILLS THAT PLAY A PART • Teamwork is key when out in GAHCHO KUÉ DIAMOND MINE the field, Daniel’s team is a small (De Beers Canada/Mountain Province Diamonds) team that look out for each other so that everyone returns home safe at the end of each rotation Daniel is a member of Gahcho Kué’s drill and blast team, organizing, setting up • Communication is also important, and safely detonating daily blasts to keep the process plant running. Each day making sure everyone is aware of the blast time, telling other begins with a safety meeting where the plans for the day are laid out. The team departments of where the blast then arrives at the blast pattern and checks hole depths to make sure they blast zone is and using a series of checks and sirens to ensure that to the desired grade. Daily blasts help provide ore for the process plant. the blast area is clear and that once complete the ‘all clear’ is given Once the bulk explosives truck arrives from the emulsion plant, Daniel primes the charges and measures the explosives for each hole. Once every hole has EDUCATION AND been loaded, they pour crushed rock into the collar of each hole to contain TRAINING NEEDED the energy in the ground. He will then instruct the crew on how to connect • High school (grade 12 diploma) the delayed surface blasts and then, once the blast area has been cleared and • Workers’ Safety and Compensation Commission everyone is safe, the blast is detonated. explosives ticket • Heavy equipment training, loaders are used for stemming After the blast, the team returns to check for dangerous gases and to confirm all (placing aggregate in the top of the explosives have detonated, before allowing the mining crew to come in and blast holes) start digging. TRAINING RESOURCES • Workers’ Safety and Daniel got into mining after his father worked at a mine, so he applied when he Compensation Commission was 19 and started working underground at an NWT mine. explosives course • Heavy equipment operator training – NWT Mine Training Over the years, he moved from blaster’s helper up to his current position on the Society blast crew. He said he is happy to work with a great crew and looks forward to each rotation.

12 - Mining North Works! | Career Catalogue JOB GOALS • Ensure electrical systems run smoothly • Ensure productivity • Provide WSCC compliance for electrical systems • Provide compliance and reporting on business targets MARK CAMPBELL • Work collaboratively with all departments to achieve mine plan Electrical Superintendent • Create operating and capital EKATI DIAMOND MINE (Dominion Diamond Mines) maintenance plans that integrate into an overall fiscal budget

As the electrical superintendent for the Ekati mine, Mark works in the processing SKILLS THAT PLAY A PART and asset optimization division. Mark works a schedule of four days on site, three • Scheduling and prioritizing maintenance activities days off. • Budgeting • Training and management In his role, Mark is responsible for leading a multi-discipline team of electricians, • Problem solving abilities for instrumentation technicians, communications technicians, and power house power and process systems operators. He also organizes and executes a training curriculum for 50 certified staff and needs to schedule and prioritize week-to-week maintenance activities EDUCATION AND TRAINING NEEDED to ensure continued mine productivity. • Journeyperson certification • Red Seal Interprovincial Another important part of his role is to develop a budget for both short-term and Certification (RSE) • Proficiency in MS Excel, Power long-term operating and capital expenditures for the mine site, as well as plan a Point and Project long-term budget for the life of the Ekati mine. • Proficiency in reliability maintenance practices A key factor to Mark’s success in his role is being able to promote a safety culture • Proficiency in power systems maintenance of zero harm and manage a large team and complex schedule. • Proficiency in algebra and trigonometry When asked about his favourite part of the job, Mark said, “I enjoy watching • Business-based courses in budget preparation, planning, and my team succeed and all individuals within the team. We foster growth within estimating our team from the trainee level to the experienced journeypersons. It is • Computer skills for data analysis very rewarding to see a multicultural team elevate themselves and execute and trends complicated work with a great safety culture. I am proud to enable that type of TRAINING RESOURCES performance.” • WSCC Level 2 supervisor certificate • St. John’s Ambulance first aid ticket • Energy and Mines Congress membership • Mine Safety Round Table membership • Canadian Institute of Mining (CIM) membership • NAIT or SAIT trades program

Mining North Works! | Career Catalogue - 13 JOB GOALS • Support the preparation of annual reports for regulatory boards, understand and be familiar with environmental licensing requirements and management plans • Conduct in-house laboratory tests in CALA certified laboratory KYLA GRAY • Fulfil internal and external data requests for superintendent, supervisors and contractors Environment Coordinator • Collection of environment DIAVIK DIAMOND MINE (Rio Tinto/Dominion Diamond Mines) samples and field and laboratory measurements, entering data and conducting quality assurance/ As Diavik’s environment coordinator, Kyla’s work ‘environment’ is very dynamic. quality control on data “There is always something new on the go. I love being part of the environment • Conduct and document onsite inspections to ensure team, they are all great individuals and coworkers,” she said. environmental compliance and reporting issues to supervisor Much of the work focuses on wildlife, including monitoring bears, wolves, and • Maintenance and calibration of field sampling equipment birds at the mine site. “I enjoy working outside, in places that are very remote • Daily monitoring and and only accessible by boat, helicopter or snowmobile. I am lucky to work with documentation of wildlife different colleagues and community members on environment programs here,” SKILLS THAT PLAY A PART she added. • Ability to work both in the field and in an office environment, Working at Diavik is a great experience and there are plenty of opportunities to interacting with other departments and outside make it a great second home, with facilities for relaxation and recreation while organizations we are not working, she adds. “Doing my part to ensure the environment and • Being a team player while wildlife are being cared for is a rewarding experience.” working in a dynamic environment • Be technologically proficient in Kyla studied environment science at the University of Lethbridge and the use of MP5, GIS, Microsoft Office Suite environment and natural resources at Aurora College.

EDUCATION AND TRAINING NEEDED • Northern Leadership Development Program

14 - Mining North Works! | Career Catalogue JOB GOALS • Ensure proper stewardship of the land and wildlife which includes making sure the Snap Lake Mine, now in care and maintenance, is properly monitored and that there is zero harm to the environment and surrounding wildlife

SHAWN TAYLOR SKILLS THAT PLAY A PART Environmental Officer • Light vehicle operation (snowmobile, truck), watercraft SNAP LAKE DIAMOND MINE (De Beers Canada) operation, wildlife deterrent use, proper sampling techniques, report writing, supervisory skills, Shawn’s job as an environmental officer is to make sure the land is taken care of and knowledge of the land and that there is zero harm to the environment and wildlife. Shawn’s role focuses EDUCATION AND on work at De Beers’ Snap Lake Mine, which is currently on extended care TRAINING NEEDED and maintenance. He is part of a team that ensures the mine site environment • Environmental studies degree remains protected and monitored. or a related field and on the job training as an environmental officer Snap Lake, constructed between 2005 and 2007, operated until it was placed on • High school grade 12 extended care and maintenance in December 2015. Over that time, it generated over 2,500 person years of employment for northerners and invested $2 billion in TRAINING RESOURCES the North’s economy. • Training through university or college in environmental studies • On the job training and Shawn said each day is different, and responsibilities can range from data entry experience and tracking, to being in the field conducting environmental monitoring, talking to community members about monitoring and hosting visits to the mine, and reconciling the collected data in reports.

Remote monitoring of Snap Lake presents unique challenges and Shawn has been part of creating innovative ways to monitor the land. With a degree in geology and part of De Beers Canada’s mine professional-in-training program, Shawn said it was always his goal to work in mining. He has been with De Beers Canada for four years.

Mining North Works! | Career Catalogue - 15 JOB GOALS • Meet environmental/land use monitoring and mitigation commitments • Meet environmental/land use licensing commitments • Reporting of environmental data • Environmental sampling of water, air, vegetation JUSTIN GRANDJAMBE • Safely and respectfully monitoring and managing wildlife Environmental Technician • Ensuring all spills are DIAVIK DIAMOND MINE (Rio Tinto/Dominion Diamond Mines) documented and addressed

SKILLS THAT PLAY A PART Justin Grandjambe is an environmental technician at Diavik Diamond Mine, the largest • Interest in science producing mine in the Northwest Territories. • Managing time to meet extensive reporting requirement Originally from Fort Good Hope, he now calls Yellowknife home along with his family. • Passion for ‘working outdoors’ He helps ensure the mine is operating at the highest environmental standards. He said EDUCATION AND he chose to work in the mining industry because of the opportunities it offered. TRAINING NEEDED • Environmental monitoring “After working a number of jobs in Yellowknife, the mining industry seemed like a place certification through the GNWT Apprenticeship and Occupational in which I could pursue a career,” he said. He found the opportunity he was looking for as Certifications program an environmental technician. • ArcGIS technology specialty certification program through the Northern Alberta Institute of Since his initial training in environmental sampling, Justin’s many years at Diavik have Technology been marked by a steady progression of professional development and career growth. “I

TRAINING RESOURCES have had the chance to access many training opportunities.” • Leadership development program offered with Southern Alberta He believes his new profession has also opened doors in his personal life. “My job comes Institute of Technology with an excellent income and great benefits. Soon after I started working at Diavik, my wife decided she wanted to go back to school. She completed her degree in education and I was able to support her and our family though the entire process. I don’t think we could have done that with the kind of work I was doing before Diavik.”

Beyond the direct and immediate benefits of a well-paying job, he believes that NWT mines are helping his territory in other ways as well. “They make donations to local organizations, support educational and literacy initiatives and help fund community sports and events. These are all things that make our communities better places to live.” For Justin, the decision to be a part of the NWT’s mining industry has been a positive experience. “I’m lucky. I get to work outdoors with great people, learn new things all the time and take home a good paycheque,” he said.

“I went into the mining industry to provide a better life for my family, and so far, I feel like I’m doing just that.” Courtesy GNWT Unlocking Our Potential, January 2018 (edited)

16 - Mining North Works! | Career Catalogue JOB GOALS • Be a part of a team that makes public safety and the safety of employees a top priority • Ensure highest quality of data and cartographic maps of the North • Use some basic programming to automate the repetitive tasks JULIA MEROLA required to achieve quality data and maps Geographic Information SKILLS THAT PLAY A PART Systems (GIS) Technologist • Proficiency with spatial software programs, specifically ArcMap, AURORA GEOSCIENCES LTD. QGIS, Oasis montaj and Target • Basic programming skills with Python to help automate As a GIS technologist, Julia is responsible for ensuring the geological spatial repetitive tasks and eliminate data that has been collected is standardized and at its highest quality. To do so, human error she uses file conversion methods to make sure all spatial files are in the same • Education related to the geological/geophysical sciences format and in their appropriate coordinate system. She is also responsible for data creation, manipulation and analysis as well as creating cartographic maps EDUCATION AND of mineral exploration activity in the North. TRAINING NEEDED • Post graduate advanced diploma in Geographic Information Systems Daily, she receives requests for topographic maps overlain by other datasets. (GIS) These datasets can be data collected recently or they can be public or private • Bachelor of Science (BSc.) degree historical data. Both instances usually require conversion from one file type to with a major in geological sciences another, conversion from one coordinate system to another and/or analysis. Once the data is in a format that can be presented on a map, she displays it on the maps requested. These maps are typically made for reports or presentations. Julia began her job in Yellowknife with the aspiration to be a part of increasing usable data collection in the North.

“There is so much of northern Canada that hasn’t been explored. The more public data that can be available, the better it is for everyone. I am grateful to be in a position where I can be a part of that,” she said.

Mining North Works! | Career Catalogue - 17 JOB GOALS • Safely haul waste rock and ore from the open pits • Being on time for work rotations and shifts and working hard and safely on the shift is important to meeting production goals

SKILLS THAT PLAY A PART TRUDY BEAULIEU • Focus on safety • Class 1-3 drivers’ licences Heavy Equipment Operator • Willingness to learn GAHCHO KUÉ DIAMOND MINE • Good communication (De Beers Canada/Mountain Province Diamonds) • Patience • Attention to detail Trudy always knew she wanted to be a truck driver, so she started working her

EDUCATION AND way up through the Class 3, Class 2 and Class 1 driving programs in her home TRAINING NEEDED town of Behchoko, Northwest Territories. • Class 1-3 driver training • NWT Mine Training Society heavy After some training through the NWT Mine Training Society in Yellowknife, equipment operation course Trudy was hired on to drive heavy equipment underground at Snap Lake • On-the-job experience Diamond Mine. She then moved to Gahcho Kué and started operating 40-tonne TRAINING RESOURCES haul trucks, working her way all the way up to the largest truck on site – the • NWT Mine Training Society 200-tonne 830E haul truck. • Government of the Northwest Territories Department of Transportation training courses With a safety-focused team that feels like family, Trudy said she loves what she • On-site training for different does, and has been operating heavy equipment since 2010. For those looking to pieces of equipment get into the mining industry she said it is important to be ready to work and work hard toward your goals, and the goals of your team.

“When you work hard to get where you are and follow your dream, that’s when you find yourself in a job that you love,” she said.

18 - Mining North Works! | Career Catalogue JOB GOALS • Ensure northern residents can secure jobs in the mining industry, particularly those who are members of impact benefit agreement partners • Provide support to employees to ensure they are successful and achieve positions that influence COURTNEY ARYCHUK how the company moves forward Human Resources Officer, Senior SKILLS THAT PLAY A PART EKATI DIAMOND MINE (Dominion Diamond Mines) • Knowledge of labour laws and regulations, as well as human resource best practices • Understanding the unique Courtney Arychuk knew from an early age she was going to work in human circumstances of northern resources. Studying at Vancouver Island University was the first step to achieving Canada and any barriers to employment her goal. The next step was landing a summer student position with Dominion Diamond Mines, operator of the Ekati Diamond Mine. She feels fortunate to have EDUCATION AND been placed with Dominion as a summer student for three years in a row. TRAINING NEEDED • Post-secondary education

After graduating from university with a bachelor of business administration TRAINING RESOURCES degree, Courtney started working full time in the human resources department • Northern Leadership of Dominion. Since joining the company, she has held several positions. Most Development Program (NLDP) through Aurora College recently she was promoted to senior human resources officer.

Courtney works in the Yellowknife office and travels to site on a regular basis. Her role supports a full range of human resources responsibilities. According to Courtney, “My days never look the same; on an average day I could be working to fill a variety of job openings, responding to employee inquires about further education or benefits, or liaising with other department to roll out projects designed to support our workforce.”

The best part of her job is working on projects designed to develop a strong northern workforce. “Our goal is to have a 62% northern workforce and 31% Indigenous representation in our workforce and I love using my analytical skills to develop solutions to achieve this goal.”

Mining North Works! | Career Catalogue - 19 JOB GOALS • Coordinate year round transport of all goods to the remote mine site • Plan, execute successful logistics for winter road program; the transport of a years’ supply of fuel, equipment, explosives, and the many other materials needed until the next year’s winter road BRANKO BABIC Logistics and Expediting Specialist SKILLS THAT PLAY A PART • Good communicator DIAVIK DIAMOND MINE (Rio Tinto/Dominion Diamond Mines) • Ability to coordinate multiple suppliers in a working environment Branko has been working as a logistics specialist since 2014, although he is which has a variety of challenges and constraints certainly not new to mining – he has been in the industry since 1988. Branko • Ability to work under pressure plays a very important role in the overall functioning of the mine. due to time lines and seasonal challenges As a logistics specialist, his duties include, organizing the transport of all the goods destined for the Diavik site from all over the world, whether it be by air, sea or ground transport, including coordinating the supply for the mine during the winter season over the winter road, which can be a challenging task. The ice road can be very difficult to deal with as it is only open for part of the year. He said, “The loads change depending on the ice thickness. You must plan for when the ice can take more and when it will shut down. There are a lot of loads that must make it to the site in a small window of time. It can be very hectic – operations must run 24/7 – but could be shut down due to severe weather conditions at any time. This creates a back log of loads which then have to be transported later.”

It is a very detailed process that takes significant experience to be able to coordinate.

He must create strong relationships with all the suppliers and be able to communicate effectively with his team to make sure things happen safely and effectively. “I supervise all of the dispatch coordinators and administrators. It is important that everyone understands their role in the process.”

20 - Mining North Works! | Career Catalogue JOB GOALS • Responsible for repairing key components in process equipment in a safe, environmentally friendly, and cost-effective manner to ensure equipment availability is maximized • Fabricate customized parts at NICKOLUS MINDE the mine site including new parts, remakes broken parts, or Maintenance Machinist duplicates old parts for machines so that the mine equipment can DIAVIK DIAMOND MINE (Rio Tinto/Dominion Diamond Mines) continue to function

Nickolus works two weeks on and two weeks off rotation. When he is at the mine SKILLS THAT PLAY A PART site, he is the only machinist so this can keep him very busy, especially in the • Be able to read blueprints, work with tools, and be imaginative winter months when more parts get broken and need to be made and replaced. and creative when there is a need It’s a sub-arctic location at 64 degrees and frigid temperatures take a toll on to engineer new parts • Safety is another important part equipment. “It is important to always be thinking about your safety and the of his learning safety of others,” he said. EDUCATION AND Nickolus was first accepted as an apprentice, then after nine months, and 900 TRAINING NEEDED • Journeyperson red seal hours work, he was able to take the trade entrance exam. He passed and then certification was able to go to school for his trade through a company program. • Interprovincial certification While off site, work is completed by his cross-shift. Every day is a new challenge • Valid driver’s licence and that is what Nickolus enjoys most about his job. Nickolus is also a role model • Proficiency in English for Indigenous youth in his community. • CNC experience preferred

TRAINING RESOURCES “I never expected to be a role model, but I take it very seriously. People that are • Apprentice close to my age tell me that they look up to me. I feel very honoured and can see • Trades entrance exam and training that my hard work is paying off.” His advice to any young person trying to pursue • Company trades training support a career in the mining industry is to be positive and never give up.

Mining North Works! | Career Catalogue - 21 JOB GOALS • Complete daily maintenance at the product sorting facility • Keep equipment working properly and minimize downtime

SKILLS THAT PLAY A PART • Knowledge in electrical, mechanical and building JUSTIN MAGER management systems is an asset • More specifically, knowledge Maintainer, Product Sorting Facility of exhaust scrubbing and mist DIAVIK DIAMOND MINE (Rio Tinto/Dominion Diamond Mines) eliminator systems as well as programmable logic controllers and pneumatics is very valuable “The work is constantly changing, planning and performing regular • Strong personal skills to regularly interact with people maintenance, organizing construction projects as well as addressing issues as they arise and making repairs to the equipment,” said Justin, a maintainer at TRAINING RESOURCES Diavik’s product sorting facility. • Aurora College leadership development program “I like my job because I get to use a wide variety of my skills from completing paperwork at my desk to troubleshooting and making repairs, all of which keeps my work very interesting. One of the biggest challenges at work is scheduling contractors and performing maintenance repairs around the very busy production schedule of the product sorting facility.”

At the facility, diamonds are cleaned and sorted for the mine’s joint venture partners, Rio Tinto and Dominion Diamond. The product is also valued for government royalty purposes.

“As we have no real scheduled shut downs in our process, it is imperative that maintenance work is well organized and efficient.”

My job gives me a lot of satisfaction when I am able to help a colleague with a repair that allows them to continue to complete their work or troubleshoot and repair a problem that keeps production up and running. The skills I have acquired over the years in my work have also equipped me to live a happy balanced life with my family!

22 - Mining North Works! | Career Catalogue JOB GOALS • Keep project cost and schedule as per approved plan • Prepare project plans (cost, schedule, procurement, risks) • Coordinate review and approval of engineering designs by different disciplines CHARU SINGHANIA • Make sure all the engineering, construction, certificates and Metallurgist safety plans are in line with site standards and appropriate EKATI DIAMOND MINE (Dominion Diamond Mines) approvals are in place before work at site begins

As a project metallurgist at the Ekati mine, Charu manages all the sustaining SKILLS THAT PLAY A PART capital projects for the process plant. A metallurgist uses chemistry, physics, • Be able to manage different and mathematics to extract diamonds from the ore. things at the same time • Have an understanding of technical aspects, finance, Charu is always thinking about the best way to solve a problem. Typically, procurement, and most projects start with a project case. Charu meets with stakeholders and develops a importantly people management summary that provides relevant information on the need for the project. EDUCATION AND TRAINING NEEDED Charu works with external firms to develop the detailed engineering design • Chemical Engineer based on the scope of work. Once the design has been approved, it is sent • Certified Project Management Professional (PMP) by Project for cost estimations for construction. Charu monitors the progress of the Management Institute (USA) construction and how it compares to the schedule and the budget. After • Basic knowledge of Microsoft construction is complete, all the stakeholders meet to discuss which parts of the Office and SAP projects were executed well and, which parts could be improved upon. TRAINING RESOURCES • Project management guidelines, “I love that my job allows me to play different roles throughout the life cycle of Aurora College provides project a project. The most important role is managing stakeholders and coordinating management courses project activities. My job can be stressful at times, especially when two or more projects are on the go but time management and prioritizing the activities are great skills to successfully achieving the end goal,” Charu said.

Mining North Works! | Career Catalogue - 23 PHOTO OF ANDREW COURTESY SKILLS CANADA SKILLS COURTESY ANDREW OF PHOTO

JOB GOALS • Keep everything running as well as it can be while still doing it safely – fixing problems before they become problems • Safety is very important because if pieces of equipment fail, people can get hurt, so the preventative maintenance team is the first line of defence ANDREW WEYALLON Millwright SKILLS THAT PLAY A PART • Troubleshooting GAHCHO KUÉ DIAMOND MINE • Understanding of the tools (De Beers Canada/Mountain Province Diamonds) required for the job • Attention to detail Every day, Andrew is part of a team that keeps equipment in the Gahcho Kué Mine process plant running perfectly, and safely. As a millwright, he and his team EDUCATION AND TRAINING NEEDED check over a variety of equipment from water pumps to compressors. • High school diploma (grade 12) • Training available on the job This is called preventative maintenance, and it is a hands-on task involving • Apprenticeship patience, attention to detail, and a willingness to learn. He goes through all the workings of each piece of equipment to make sure nothing is beginning to wear TRAINING RESOURCES down and predicts when it is going to require maintenance. He will also take • Classes to take in school include automotive, maintenance, oil analyses on pieces of equipment and take samples to be checked off site, technician courses replaces bearings on pumps, aligns different pieces of equipment and marks • Training available on the job with a good base of skills things that need additional work, like welding, by other skilled workers on site.

Andrew started his mining career as an equipment operator at Snap Lake, then as a logistics technician at the mine airport. After transferring to Gahcho Kué Mine, he completed his apprenticeship. Andrew said he is still learning something new every day, coming to his shift like a sponge soaking up the knowledge from his experienced crew members. Andrew’s career path includes a gold medal at the 2014 annual Skills Canada NWT territorial competition in the millwright category. At the annual event, he represented De Beers Canada.

At the Skills Canada National Competition, later that year in Toronto, he placed ninth and was the only Tlicho citizen on the NWT team. Skills Canada National Competition (formally the Canadian Skills Competition) is the only national, Olympic-style, multi-trade and technology competition for young students and apprentices. Every year, the event brings together approximately 500 young people from all regions of Canada, along with their parents and advisers, to compete in over 40 trade and technology areas. The competition provides an opportunity for young Canadians studying a skilled trade or technology to be tested within exacting standards and against their peers from across the nation.

24 - Mining North Works! | Career Catalogue JOB GOALS • Efficiently manage a busy work environment • Constantly address new tasks • Ensure ordering of parts in on track

SKILLS THAT PLAY A PART DENNIS NOLTING • Creative • Problem solving skills Mobile Maintenance Planner • Ability to learn from others work DIAVIK DIAMOND MINE (Rio Tinto/Dominion Diamond Mines) EDUCATION AND TRAINING NEEDED As a mobile maintenance planner for Diavik, Dennis plans the maintenance • Demonstrated experience in and repair of all the light mobile support vehicles and equipment on site. He planning and scheduling within the mining industry works with supervisors and superintendents to make sure all breakdowns are • Strong mechanical background addressed safely and efficiently. with experience in maintenance of heavy mobile equipment • Previous experience utilizing Every work day, Dennis starts with a safety meeting with all mechanics and a Computerized Maintenance supervisors. They go over the plan for the day and any high-risk work that needs Management System (SAP experience will be highly to be done and how to complete the task safely. He plans the maintenance regarded) schedule every day, prioritizing what needs to get done first. From here he can • Detail understanding of work see what parts need to be ordered or made and create work orders to get these management and zero based budgeting principles parts in quickly. At the end of the day, Dennis will review the work that was • Ability to work collaboratively completed to see how long everything took and make sure tasks was completed with team members and key stakeholders properly. The crew is responsible for maintaining a fleet of mobile heavy • Trade qualification or equivalent equipment including ore haul trucks, loaders, excavators, graders, and dozers, as • Experience in planning and well as the mine’s many light vehicles. scheduling within a mobile maintenance environment • Knowledge of Microsoft Office As a planner, Dennis needs to always be thinking about how to solve issues including Excel, Word and Project in new ways. This challenging environment is one in which Dennis thrives. He • Drivers licence enjoys coming up with new solutions to make improvements. “I am proud of my ability to look at any type of issue or problem that the maintenance shop has TRAINING RESOURCES and be able to come up with a solution. A lot of the time workers come in very • Aurora College Northern Development Leadership frustrated and don’t know what to do. I like being able to look at the work with Program them and come up with solutions.”

Mining North Works! | Career Catalogue - 25 JOB GOALS • Ensure a year’s stock of all parts and services needed to maintain mobile equipment are on site • Ensure the safety of all personnel • Ensure adherence to standards, processes, and procedures

SKILLS THAT PLAY A PART DARCY SINCLAIR • Manage budgeting, monitoring spending, prepare reports Mobile Maintenance Superintendent • Work with the engineering GAHCHO KUÉ DIAMOND MINE team and the human resources (De Beers Canada/Mountain Province Diamonds) department regarding recruitment and training • Ability to lead large teams made Growing up in Fort Smith, Northwest Territories, Darcy spent hours watching his up of various skill levels in a challenging environment dad fixing old cars. • Strong communication across levels of experience, professions, “I wanted to be that guy. I wanted to take something that was broken and fix it,” trades, and management said Darcy. EDUCATION AND TRAINING NEEDED Fast forward a few decades and Darcy has developed his childhood wish into • High School diploma his dream job, mobile maintenance superintendent at the Gahcho Kué diamond • Journeyperson mine. He oversees a team of 90 employees, including senior leaders and other • Skills Canada Program superintendents, who maintain all the mine’s mobile equipment. He also mentors • NWT Mine Training Society • NWT Education, Culture and service supervisors and provides them with technical and professional support Employment and guidance. And he works with all mine consultants and contractors. His biggest challenge is keeping his team safe. “ We want to get diamonds out and get home safe after every shift,” he said.

“ Safety is number one. Zero harm is a value that I drive from every member of our maintenance team,” he said.

“A major logistical challenge is planning around the winter road that is only accessible a few months each year. We have to have a catalogue of parts at the site,” he added. In extreme emergencies, sometimes equipment is flown into the site at great cost when the ice road is closed.

Darcy holds several journeyperson accreditations and a wealth of job experience. His job requires knowledge of a wide range of mobile equipment such as hydraulic shovels, electric trucks, the big loaders and smaller equipment like forklifts. In addition to high school graduation and his journeyperson tickets, he received ongoing training from programs like the Skills Canada Program (where he spent seven years on the board), the NWT Mine Training Society, and the NWT’s Department of Education, Culture and Employment.

26 - Mining North Works! | Career Catalogue JOB GOALS • Ensure health and safety of workers • Influence workers to take charge of their own safety • Protect workers from noise, dust, chemicals, radon gas and diesel CARA BENOIT contaminants SKILLS THAT PLAY A PART Occupational Hygienist • Develop and deliver programs DIAVIK DIAMOND MINE (Rio Tinto/Dominion Diamond Mines) that improve worker health and safety including healthy diet and sleep pattern, cancer screening, and campaigns to inform about As an occupational health and safety hygienist, Cara is responsible for protecting risks of smoking, drugs and the workers and monitoring the work environment for agents, contaminants, or alcohol chemicals that could cause illness. To do so, she measures worker exposure to • Inform with messaging and communications about workplace noise, dust, and diesel. Cara assesses worker health to understand if and how hazards and steps to reduce risk they are being affected by the work environment. EDUCATION AND TRAINING NEEDED Daily, she will perform interviews, outfit workers with monitoring equipment, • High school or GED diploma analyze the data taken from this equipment, or coach them on how to do their • College or university training jobs so they do not expose themselves to harmful agents while working. “I really (occupational health and safety like the philosophy of the mining industry; safety is so critical.” diploma)

When Cara first started her job, she was concerned about the remote location but was surprised with how effortless the transition to camp lifestyle was. “If you can get a position like this, it’s really quite fabulous and you can have an influence on the health of so many people. The big thing is to get a degree. It’s hard for companies to fill many specialized positions.”

Mining North Works! | Career Catalogue - 27 JOB GOALS • To establish contracts and communications between the company and the service providers that ensure performance deliverables are met

SKILLS THAT PLAY A PART • Leadership, procurement, ANDREA SLUGGETT administrative, and technical knowledge Operations Contract

EDUCATION AND Performance Manager TRAINING NEEDED GAHCHO KUÉ DIAMOND MINE • High school diploma (Grade 12) (De Beers Canada/Mountain Province Diamonds) • Work experience within mining is an asset, obtaining a supply chain management program Andrea’s job is all about maintaining relationships with contractors and creating diploma or a project management designation, training in new ones – as Gahcho Kué’s operations contract performance manager. In a procurement and contract law, typical work day, she communicates with contract owners, service providers and leadership training and train the trainer certification are a good potential service providers to ensure there are agreements in place, and that base for this role the work is done safely, on track and on budget. She also mitigates issues and maintains an open line of communication. TRAINING RESOURCES • Andrea said she is lucky to have worked in many different areas of Andrea works closely with contract owners and service providers as well as mining over the span of her career that gave her a great foundation colleagues based at De Beers Canada’s Calgary operational support centre. She of knowledge for what she does provides training and assistance in contract management and procurement as now well as assists with SAP. • The job requires leadership training and skills, as well as training in project management SAP, named for the company that created it, is computer software and • Project management classes technology that integrates management of key business functions of companies. Andrea has been working in the NWT mining industry for 22 years, starting as a temporary administrative assistant and then in various jobs, both on and off the mine site.

“Working in mining is dynamic – every day you have the opportunity to learn new skills and work with new people,” she said.

28 - Mining North Works! | Career Catalogue JOB GOALS • Ensuring compliance with environmental legislation and that the required environment related legal authorizations (e.g. permits, licences, leases) are in place for operation of the mine • Contributing to the protection and sustainability of the unique LYNN BOETTGER northern environment Permitting Superintendent SKILLS THAT PLAY A PART EKATI DIAMOND MINE (Dominion Diamond Mines) • Reading and writing ability • Organizational skills As the superintendent of permitting for the Ekati mine, Lynn works in the • Critical thinking company’s Yellowknife office. • Ability to interact and work well with others

Every work day is different. Lynn’s tasks include environmental reporting, EDUCATION AND ensuring legislated reporting is submitted according to schedule, making TRAINING NEEDED presentations, facilitating meetings, budgeting, and staff supervision. • Proficiency in English • Detailed knowledge of northern regulations and regulatory A key factor to Lynn’s success is being able to understand how a specific processes and general understanding of environmental environmental event at the mine site may relate to provincial and federal issues for northern mining regulations. Lynn gathers the relevant information and analyzes it to determine projects the best approach to ensure compliance with the law. TRAINING RESOURCES • Post secondary education, A key aspect to gathering the relevant information is engaging with internal and training, and experience in external stakeholders to understand the subject matter. environmental and northern issues • Knowledge of legal concepts When asked about her favourite part of the job, Lynn said, “One of the best parts and Canadian/northern about my job is the teamwork involved. I am always working with different environmental law people and continually learning new things.”

Mining North Works! | Career Catalogue - 29 • JOB GOALS • Ensure safe and efficient ore processing • Successfully meet operations and maintenance schedules

• SKILLS THAT PLAY A PART • Ability to plan and schedule AARON CAMPBELL • Good communications skills • Technical expertise Process Plant Lead Hand • Heavy equipment operator qualifications DIAVIK DIAMOND MINE (Rio Tinto/Dominion Diamond Mines)

• EDUCATION AND TRAINING Aaron is a process plant lead hand at Diavik. In the mine’s process plant, he • Mineral processing technician completes regular check rounds, perform plant clean-up and takes daily • On-site progression planning samples throughout the plant. His job gets him to operate loaders, bobcats, • Northern Leadership Development Program forklifts.

Additionally, he must work closely with the central control room operator to maximize the production of the plant. Good communication skills are essential for a process plant lead hand. Aaron also plays a big role in keeping all the employees safe. “People’s safety is the most important part of what I do; a breakdown in communication can compromise safety.”

He joined Diavik in 2006 and what he enjoys most about his job is mentoring colleagues and interns. Aaron is always looking to learn and stay challenged while doing is daily duties. Throughout his years at Diavik, he took advantage of the opportunities to progress within the company. The company was a great opportunity to continue to grow his career.

Since his beginnings at Aurora College in 2005, studying as a mineral processing technician, Aaron grew his skillset through learning opportunities with the Indigenous Leadership Development Program, now Aurora College’s Northern Leadership Development Program. Diavik created this program in the early 2000s; the goal of the program was to provide leadership skills to northern Indigenous peoples. Participants were mentored by Diavik leaders throughout the program. Ultimately it was expanded to include all NWT mines then successfully transitioned to Aurora College.

30 - Mining North Works! | Career Catalogue JOB GOALS • Collecting a variety of geological data • Interpreting and compiling data into a final product • Teaching and mentoring junior geologists • Ensuing programs run as safely DAVE COX and efficiently as possible

Project Geologist SKILLS THAT PLAY A PART AURORA GEOSCIENCES LTD. • Technical geological skills • Computer skills and technological savvy As a project geologist, Dave is responsible for overseeing exploration programs • Communication and in the field and in the office. Programs may include core drilling, ground staking, interpersonal skills stream sediment sampling, soil sampling or till sampling. • Problem solving, trouble shooting and logical thinking

All programs vary but generally he must ensure all crew members understand EDUCATION AND their roles and have all that they need to carry those roles out; that all crew TRAINING NEEDED members have a safe environment to work in and that all data is collected to the • Bachelor of Science (BSc.) geology high standards expected by the company’s clients. • Masters or PhD. in geology or geosciences is a great asset Daily, Dave communicates the ever-changing requirements of the job to the crews, reviews the data collected, and compiles cross sections and reports of the day’s production. He inspects work sites and ensures that production is safe and efficient.

On smaller programs, Dave will log drill core or collect soil or stream samples. Once a program wraps up for the season, it’s back to the office for reports and follow up and then planning for the next program.

Dave says that he finds the connections and friendships that he makes over the course of his job, in addition the ever-changing challenges and problem solving the most rewarding part of the career. Living in Yellowknife was an unexpected bonus; providing a unique and varied life style.

Mining North Works! | Career Catalogue - 31 JOB GOALS • Keep information in SAP system current • Develop plans in SAP to ensure all mine teams are supported

SKILLS THAT PLAY A PART • Willingness to learn STEVEN WALSH • Willingness to ask questions • Willingness to get involved SAP Master Data Specialist EKATI DIAMOND MINE (Dominion Diamond Mines) EDUCATION AND TRAINING NEEDED • College diploma As Dominion Diamond’s SAP master data specialist, Steven is part of the • Maintenance management processing and asset optimization team for the Ekati mine. The team ensures professional certification is an asset that equipment at the mine operates as reliably as possible while considering • Computer science, math, and costs and maximizing resources. The team works together to develop technical education are good logic courses for understanding comprehensive maintenance plans to ensure their deliverables are met. SAP and how it relates to maintenance At the Ekati mine, everything from inventory and finance to human resources and maintenance is managed by the SAP software system, a powerful TRAINING RESOURCES • Maintenance and asset computerized management system. management certifications Steven’s first goal is making sure that SAP is loaded with accurate and up-to-date information from the departments at site. He also ensures the information is complete, because maintenance plans are only as good as the data they are built on.

Every day brings new challenges, and that is what Steven enjoys most about his job. “I find it satisfying to solve issues that arise over time and change the system as the company’s requirements change. I also enjoy being a key player on the major projects team.”

He believes that managing change is also the essence of life. “You have to adapt to the facts as they are presented to you. There is only one constant in life: that the sun will rise in the east and set in the west.”

32 - Mining North Works! | Career Catalogue JOB GOALS • Promote and foster support for safety and security to contribute to an enjoyable working environment • Conduct timely investigations • Keep current with changing legislation

WINNIE CORNEILLE SKILLS THAT PLAY A PART • Attention to detail, patience, Security Investigator objectivity EKATI DIAMOND MINE (Dominion Diamond Mines) • Sensitivity to different cultures • Ability to build rapport and trust with stakeholders to work As an investigator at the Ekati mine, Winnie is responsible for tracking down together as a team important details that affect the overall safety of the mine. She works a two • Proficient in Microsoft Office programs week on, two week off rotation, and her two weeks at work are always busy. • Knowledge of security Some of her regular duties include conducting background investigations; equipment/CCTV systems carrying out compliancy audits and surveillance; and responding to incident • Human resources policies investigations. • Privacy legislation

Working in the security department requires the ability to build and maintain EDUCATION AND TRAINING NEEDED rapport with stakeholders; knowledge of the criminal code, human resources • NWT security certification, ZIP polices and privacy legislation; as well as familiarity with several security training, human resources policies, online security training, company systems. sponsored training • Criminal justice or criminology When asked if she had any advice for a young person thinking of working courses and/or equivalent experience in the mining industry, Winnie said, “Seriously consider it, there are endless opportunities and support for you. Stay positive, keep your sense of humor and be clear on your goals.”

Mining North Works! | Career Catalogue - 33 JOB GOALS • Ensure the safety of all personnel underground • Ensure the underground mining team achieves its development and production targets • Ensure adherence to standards, processes, and procedures PHILIP LEWIS SKILLS THAT PLAY A PART • Ability to lead large teams made Underground Operations Superintendent up of various skill levels in a DIAVIK DIAMOND MINE (Rio Tinto/Dominion Diamond Mines) challenging environment • Plan with the ‘big picture’ in mind, while understanding the realities As the underground operations superintendent, Philip is responsible for daily of the details overall mining operations. He oversees a mining team consisting of engineers, • Passion to continuously improve mine captains, shift bosses, drillers, blasters, loader operators, truckers, and • Strong communication across levels of experience, professions, various other operators. trades, and management

He coordinates with other departments to ensure the underground mine has EDUCATION AND TRAINING NEEDED what it needs to operate. Maintaining good relationships with the maintenance, • High school diploma technical, processing, logistics, and other teams across the business is vital to the • Engineering degree or college success of the underground mine. diploma preferred • Operations and supervision experience in underground mines Regular duties include involvement in planning processes and meetings, hiring new workers, review and approval of mine plans, and time in the field. He regularly goes underground to inspect mining areas and discuss safety and operational requirements with operators.

34 - Mining North Works! | Career Catalogue RESOURCES

• Mining North Works!: www.miningnorthworks.com

• NWT Mine Training Society: www.minetraining.ca

• NWT & Nunavut Chamber of Mines: www.miningnorth.com

• Mining Industry Human Resources: www.MiHR.ca

• Mining Association of Canada: www.mining.ca

• GNWT ECE Skills4Success: https://www.ece.gov.nt.ca/en/services/skills-4-success

• GNWT ECE student financial assistance: www.ece.gov.nt.ca/en/services/student-financial-assistance

Diamond mines’ career pages • Dominion Diamond Mines: www.ddmines.com/careers

• Rio Tinto Diavik: www.riotinto.com/canada/diavik/working-with-us-12129.aspx

• De Beers Canada: canada.debeersgroup.com/careers/why-us

Mining North Works! | Career Catalogue - 35 MINING NORTH WORKS! Our goal is to increase awareness about the benefits and opportunities that come from responsible mining and mineral exploration in Canada’s north. The Mining North Works! initiative is a partnership of the NWT & Nunavut Chamber of Mines, industry, governments, and other organizations.

For more information visit: miningnorthworks.com

Thanks to all Mining North Works! NWT partners

36 - Mining North Works! | Career Catalogue

Mining North Works! NWT & Nunavut Chamber of Mines

NWT Office 103-5102 50th Avenue, Yellowknife, NT, Canada X1A 3S8 Tel: (867) 873-5281 | Fax: (780) 669-5681 | Email: [email protected]

Mining North Works! greatly appreciates the Government of the Northwest Territories Support for Entrepreneurs and Economic Development Fund which provided financial resources to produce this publication.

Nunavut Office P.O. Box 1019, Unit 116, Tukturjuk Tower (8-Story) Astro Hill Complex, Iqaluit, NU, Canada X0A 0H0 Tel: (867) 979-5291 | Fax: (780) 669-5681 | Email: [email protected]

Design: North Creative, Yellowknife, Northwest Territories

Edition: Spring 2019