In this newsletter:
• Safety Wins
• National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
• Conuma Cares
• Sustainability
• Strong When We Belong
• Employee Shout-outs
• Site News
• Training
New Training Program: Safety Leadership for Supervisors
We are happy to announce that the new Safety Leadership training program for supervisors is live on our Learning Management System (LMS), and in-person workshops were held in mid-September and will occur again in early October. The program focuses on critical qualities and knowledge that supervisors must possess to be at the forefront of health and safety. These include promoting a safety culture, being a safety leader, proactive safety, the law and regulations, and incident investigations. The program is
mandatory for frontline supervisors superintendents, and managers. We look forward to seeing everyone at the upcoming workshops.
Industrial Hygiene and Ergonomics Update
Charla Seitz, Conuma’s new Industrial Hygienist, has been busy with a campaign of exposure monitoring for silica, coal dust, and noise at all our operations. If you haven’t seen Charla at your site, she’ll be there soon, working with you and your colleagues to assess and control your health risks from these potentially hazardous agents. Please extend your full cooperation if you are asked to participate in this vital fieldwork. As the adage goes, “You can’t manage what you can’t measure”, so your participation and support is valuable. In addition to industrial hygiene, Charla will work with your JOHSEC committees on ergonomics field assessments with the goal to complete baseline assessments for all major job roles. Assessments will identify key ergonomic risks for each job and use that information to develop controls to prevent injuries.
COVID-19 Vigilance
We have recently seen a rise in the number of Covid-19 cases among Conuma staff, as well as in our local communities. Although overall we are experiencing far fewer cases than in early 2022 (the onset of the Omicron wave), this serves as an important reminder that the virus continues to circulate amongst the population. Please be aware that the new variants now among us are still capable of causing serious illness.
In light of the recent increase in cases, it is imperative that we remain vigilant to protect ourselves and others against transmission of Covid-19. We must not become complacent and let our guard down.
September 30 is National Day of Truth and Reconciliation. Orange Shirt Day is a day to honour children who never returned home, survivors of residential schools as well as their families and communities.
At Conuma, we encourage all to learn about our shared history. The Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada (www.nctrc.ca) and the University of Alberta Indigenous Canada (www.ualberta.ca/admission-programs/online-courses/indigenous-canada) offer free opportunities to increase understanding about residential schools, Treaties, the Indian Act, traditional ecological knowledge, and other subjects.
In addition to learning about our shared history, we recognize the importance of being an ally to Indigenous peoples. An ally is a verb and is rooted in action. Allies learn, listen and speak up.
• Allies learn about Indigenous culture and perspectives, and our shared history such as understanding Treaties, the Indian Act and the Truth and Reconciliation Commisssion’s Calls to Action.
• Allies listen with empathy and the intention to understand perspectives, even when they differ from one’s own.
• Allies speak up when they hear language and behaviour that is disrespectful or inequitable, or when Indigenous voices are absent from organizations and communities.
Reconciliation is a journey that involves ongoing and continuous learning and action.
The summer was a busy one, and looking back, we had the privilege of participating in numerous fantastic events.
August 12th marked the annual Emperors Challenge put on by the volunteers from the Wolverine Nordic & Mountain Society (WNMS). The WNMS is a non-profit organization with the mission to promote and develop all aspects of people-powered outdoor recreation in Tumbler Ridge. The Emperor’s Challenge is a 20 kilometer race through mountain terrain and is the biggest off road running event in BC. It is the primary fundraiser to support the WNMS’s trail maintenance efforts.
We want to congratulate Conuma employees who took part in the race that day including Jen Graham, Hugh Kendrick, Mike Naylor, Paul Campbell, Jan Legaspi, Megan Lake, Trevor Mueller, Ian Platzer, and Taylor Olsen. We extend our apologies if we inadvertently missed anyone from that list. We’d also like to thank all volunteers including Conuma employees Jessica Simson, Ryan Lamming, Peggy Stark, and Gladys Philpott who distributed water and Gatorade to the runners and enthusiastically cheered as they conquered the summit. It was an awe-inspiring day witnessing everyone push their limits with smiles on their faces.
Conuma truly values our relationships with Indigenous Nations and communities within the South Peace Region. We are honoured to be involved and support all celebrations and events. Noteworthy high lights from our summer include:
• At the end of July, West Moberly First Nations hosted their annual West Mo days, a weekend filled with traditional games and events.
• On August 11th, as part of the McLeod Lake Indian Band’s Annual General Assembly, we attended a trade show with other industry partners, a BBQ and entertainment.
• August 18-20 the Halfway River First Nation Rodeo attracts rodeo competitors with generous payouts and a warm and welcoming environment. The rodeo is held the third weekend of August and we invite all the participate or attend.
• On October 26 and 27, Saulteau First Nations hosted their Industry Partners Golf Tournament. It was a beautiful weekend spent at the Moberly Lake Golf course, and the Conuma Team won third place.
• On August 30th, MLIB organized their back-to-school BBQ, where Conuma provided new backpacks with back-to-school supplies to the youth in the community. It was heartwarming to see the joy on the faces of each member as they received their new backpacks.
1 - Emperors Challenge volunteers: Gladys Philpott, Kristen Ghostkeeper, Ryan Lamming, Lisa Risvold, Jessica Simson, Peggy Stark
2 - Megan Lake and Ryan Lamming
3 - Jan Legaspi
4 - McLeod Lake Indian Band AGA
Sustainability Reporting – Sharing Our Story
We published our 2022 Climate Change and Sustainability Reports in April, aligning with global reporting standards. Both reports are available on the Conuma website. These reports are essential to tell the story of our sustainability efforts, often classified as environment, social, governance (ESG), and climate change.
Our ESG reporting aligns with the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB) Coal Operations Standards, which came into effect in 2021. Our climate reporting aligns with the Task Force on ClimateRelated Financial Disclosures (TCFD) framework. SASB and TCFD have become the standard ESG reporting requirement for global investors, underscoring our decision to report on this basis.
5 - Conuma Team at Saulteau First Nations Industry Partner Golf Tournament: Rudy Paquette, Kristen Ghostkeeper, Lisa Risvold, Rick Ghostkeeper
The global standards for ESG reporting are continuing to evolve rapidly. In June, the International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) published two new ESG standards for reporting, starting in 2024. These new standards are based on SASB and TCFD but add more comprehensive reporting and disclosure requirements.
While meeting all the ESG reporting standards is essential, our sustainability journey at Conuma is much more than reporting! We want to communicate our performance across the spectrum of sustainability but also share the human side of our business, including personal quotes, stories, and photos of all the activities taking place. Thanks to everyone who participated in expanding our photo library in late August!
If you have any suggestions for sustainability-related topics, we should explore further or stories of colleagues that you think should be shared, please get in touch with Brandon Lewis, our Sustainability Coordinator, at blewis@counmacoal.com, by phone or by text at +1 (250)-257-0735.
In November 2022, Conuma started welcoming heavy-duty mechanics from South Africa to NEBC. Heavy duty mechanics are a sought-after trade that are in high demand in Canada and internationally. Through
6 - Figure 1 illustrates the relationship between the SASB Standards and TCFD Framework related to climate change.the apprenticeship program, Conuma continues to support employees in their pursuit of achieving their heavy-duty mechanic training, however there is an immediate need for these positions within Conuma. Conuma is thrilled to expand our team and want families to feel welcome and enjoy northeast British Columbia and Canada.
Canadians are commonly known for their apologetic nature, love for ice hockey, and producing 71% of the world’s maple syrup. The evolution of Canadian history has influenced the present culture, which is different from all areas of the world today.
Below are some interesting facts about Canadian culture, slang, weather, food, history and more:
• The name Canada is derived from the Indigenous word Kanata. Kanata means “settlement” or “village” in the language of the St. Lawrence Iroquoians. Canada’s name is one of many aspects of Canadian culture that Indigenous peoples of Canada have influenced throughout its history.
• English and French are the national languages of Canada.
• Canada is a highly diverse country. In fact, roughly 75% of Canada’s population growth comes from immigration.
• Canada’s national animal is the beaver, and can be found on the 5-cent nickel. This speaks to Canada’s long history of trading beaver pelts in the fur trade.
• Canada is the second-largest country in the world by geography and consists of six different time zones. However, despite the large surface area, only six cities in Canada have a population of over 1 million. These cities are Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, and Ottawa.
• Canadian business is individualistic, meaning there is frequently more emphasis placed on individual success and merit than on the collective. However, Canada has made recent efforts to create more equitable environments for all people in and entering the workforce.
• Canada has two national sports: hockey and lacrosse. Lacrosse was originally the only national sport from 1859-1994. However, Bill C-121 made hockey the official Canadian winter sport, and lacrosse became Canada's official summer sport. Canada is also home to many sports icons, including Wayne Gretzky, Sydney Crosby, Gordie Howe, Steve Nash, Mike Weir, Cassie Campbell, and Christine Sinclair.
• Canada does not have a huge food identity on its own because of its multicultural roots. However, Canada is well-known for creating poutine, French fries covered in cheese and gravy, in 1950s Montreal. A lesser-known Canadian creation is the invention of Hawaiian pizza, which has slices of ham and pineapple on top.
• Canadians eat the most doughnuts per capita in the world. Anyone visiting or living in Canada is encouraged to try Timbits from Tim Horton’s, a national fast-food chain named after a Canadian hockey player and that sponsors children’s sports across the country at least once.
• Weather is significantly different across provinces and territories in Canada. Albertans will experience extremes of harsh winters and hot summers, whereas BC has an average of 330mm of rain annually.
• Half of Canada is covered with forests, making up 10% of the world’s forests.
• Rather than a melting pot like the USA, Canadian culture has been described as a cultural mosaic. This analogy signifies the desire that Canada’s culture be comprised of many different cultures, allowing all to flourish within its borders. Canadians are encouraged to embrace their unique differences rather than change to be the same.
• In Canada, interpersonal skills and work habits are generally valued as highly as technical skills. This can be very surprising for people from countries where credentials and technical skills are the pretty much the only factor in seeking employment or promotions.
A round of applause for Austin Riley, who has achieved an impressive milestone in his career journey!
Austin has successfully completed his apprenticeship program and is now officially a Red Seal Certified Heavy Duty Equipment Technician.
Austin's dedication and hard work have brought him to this pivotal moment, and we couldn't be prouder to have him as part of our team.
Please join us in congratulating Austin's achievement!
Congratulations, Austin!
Introducing Jemari Pangilinan! Jem joined Conuma earlier this year as a Human Resources Administrator at Brule Mine and will soon be bringing her talents to the Willow Creek team.
Fresh out of college in May 2023, Jemari began her mining career with us. She's quickly become known for her enthusiasm and her ability to connect with colleagues. With a degree in business management, she discovered her true calling in Human Resources, where she thrives on answering questions and promoting Conuma's opportunities. Meeting new people is what she loves most, and being part of the hiring team allows her to do just that.
When asked why she chose to work for Conuma, Jemari's answer is simple yet powerful: "Great opportunities and a fantastic work environment." Even with limited experience initially, Conuma provided her with the chance to learn, grow, and thrive. She acknowledges that she still has much to discover in her role, but she's grateful for her supportive co-workers who have been there to mentor and guide her. Additionally, she values the work-life balance that her schedule provides.
Outside of work, Jemari's interests are as diverse as her talents. She enjoys spending her free time fishing, kayaking, camping, and cruising on a Harley. Living in the scenic beauty of Chetwynd has allowed her to disconnect from city life and fully immerse herself in the wonders of nature, an experience she cherishes deeply.
As Jemari transitions to Willow Creek, we're excited to see her continued impact. Join us in welcoming her to the team and her next chapter at Conuma.
Willow Creek
Willow Creek – Slow and Steady Wins the Race
Through 2023, we have slowly increased our monthly target coal and waste production. The past record for equivalent BCMs was set in May 2023, hitting 1.734 Kbcms. In July, not only did we meet our targets but blew through them to hit 2.011 Kbcm. This goes to show that safety and production go hand-inhand. In 2022, Willow Creek averaged 19 incidents per month; in 2023, we are now averaging 12 incidents and showing a steady decrease as 2023 progresses.
From Subject Matter Expert to Trainer!
Over the past couple of months, 22 employees from the HR, Safety and Training Departments completed a two-day interactive “Train the Trainer” workshop. Held in the Tumbler Ridge Training & Orientation Room, the workshop taught participants tips and tricks for designing, developing, and delivering training for the best learning experience. The workshop focused on small or large-group training techniques and presentation skills and will help raise the bar for training at Conuma! The next workshop is October 18 and 19.
The Maintenance training boot camps resumed in August after a brief summer break. Over 50 people have attended these courses year to date, helping us to have a versatile and trained workforce! The boot camps include the following courses:
• Fall Arrest,
• Elevated Work Platform
• Telehandler (Rough Terrain Forklift)
• Hoisting & Rigging and Overhead Crane
• Forklift Class 5 and 7.
If you are interested and need this training for your job, please get in touch with your site Training Coordinator.
We would like your Feedback!
Your feedback shapes our journey! We’re excited to invite you to take part in the Conuma Resources Workplace Satisfaction Survey.
Tell us about your experience – your insights help create a work environment we’re all proud to be a part of.
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