In this newsletter:
• Conuma Chatter
• Safety Wins
• Conuma Cares
• Values Chain - Employee Spotlight
• Learning and Development
• Myth Buster (back by popular demand!)
• Employee Shoutouts
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Permitting Approval
After much hard work, we are excited to announce that we have received approval for Phase 5 at the Brule.
This marks the first time in our five years of operations that we have secured a MAPA (Mines Act Permit Amendment) for additional coal reserves that we can mine. This approval is key to extending Brule's mine life. It will add up to two million tonnes of coal, extending the mine life by a year until Q1 2024.
The Regulator continues to support mining operations in this region and is actively working with Conuma to implement water treatment types. Paula Krats, the General Manager at Brule, said, "The MAPA approval is a great example of the work the team has done to build our relationship with the Government to extend the life of mine for Brule today and for the positive positioning of Conuma for future project development."
Recognition and Reward at Conuma
Conuma's Quarterly Retention Program will pay its third bonus on July 22, 2022. This is one of the many ways we recognize and reward our employees for contributing to Conuma's success. Due to the high coal prices this quarter, we can confidently say we will be providing bonuses at the 15% premium! Without the hard work and dedication of all Conuma employees this would not have been possible.
What will you be doing with your bonus? Paying for gas like the rest of us
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Conuma is Crushing it!
Conuma is proud to announce we are in the aggregate business! Conuma needed to create an efficient way to provide the required aggregates to support our operations (so we had to bring in the might). Conuma purchased a 400hp crushing spread capable of hitting 350-550 tonnes per hour, efficiently tackling our operational demands for crushed aggregates.
Company BBQ Coming Soon!
Break out the BBQ and the treats as summer is finally here! Conuma is busy planning some Company BBQs now that COVID-19 restrictions have been lifted, so keep your eyes posted for more information!
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New Director, Health & Safety Renews Focus On Mine Rescue
Svend Nielsen, recently appointed Director, Health & Safety, is new to the role but not the industry. He brings over 25 years of international experience in the mining, cement, and construction materials Svend is excited about continuing to drive and instill a safety culture at Conuma.
Mine rescue is a critical part of our incident response capabilities. Having skilled, well-equipped, highly trained and motivated mine rescue teams ready to respond instantly to the most complex situation means we can minimize the impact of significant events and save lives.
Conuma is currently renewing its focus on this vital service to ensure that our mine rescue capabilities at all sites are up to a high standard and able to deal effectively with any serious incident.
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Ready to Represent Conuma and Further Diversity in the Mining Industry!
School District 59 hosted and organized an event that introduced and connected women and non-binary youth with companies and opportunities in the industry. Karen Dudla, Kate Patz and Christy Burres represented Conuma and shared their experiences in mining. The day included a panel discussion, round table discussion that allowed for small group dialogue, a trade show and lunch.
Chetwynd Chainsaw Massacre!
Conuma was a sponsor of the recent Chetwynd International Chainsaw Carving Championship from June 9 to 12. Expert chainsaw carvers from across the world gathered to join the Chetwynd International Chainsaw Carving Championship. Conuma employees could be seen monkeying around the event!
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Making Money Work
What do Cardi B and Hugh Kendrick, VP of Sustainability, have in common?
They both make money moves...
Hugh facilitated a seven-week course for grade 10 to 12 students from Tumbler Ridge Secondary School. The Making Money Work course included such essential topics as living within your means, budgeting, wealth accumulation, various avenues and methods of investing, taxation, insurance, and retirement. At the course graduation in June, students received weekly reminder pictograms and personal finance books to continue their learning.
Sherri-Lynn Hewitt, the School's Career Coordinator, noted, "Our students enjoyed and benefited from the training, and they will no doubt be encouraging many more to join the next course. " Hugh Kendrick said, "The students' energy and commitment throughout the course was outstanding, and to see them now equipped with practical personal finance skills at such young ages is reward in itself."
David Gebala: Driller at the Wolverine
What are you most thankful for? Being able to provide my family with a good life, while at the same time being able to come home to them after work each night.
What is your favourite thing about working at Conuma? The friends that I've made while working here.
Favourite Conuma Value: One Conuma Strong
We are productive, resilient, and enthusiastic problem solvers, working as a team to deliver outstanding results.
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An Employee who Embodies this Value to David: Philip Stirling
Phil is an infinite source of wisdom, whether it be knowledge about the job at hand or information that you might have that may not even be work-related. He is a great leader and role model and has taught me a lot within my job scope. Phil also has the willingness to help out which also makes him a great mine rescue captain.
Mike Poulin: Excavator Operator at the Willow Creek
What is your favourite animal? Dogs.
What is your favourite thing about working at Conuma? I love running equipment, and really enjoy the people I get to work with. I work on a great crew.... We are always looking out for one another and making sure we all go home to our loved ones.
Favourite Conuma Value: One Conuma Strong
We are productive, resilient, and enthusiastic problem solvers, working as a team to deliver outstanding results.
An Employee who Embodies this Value to Mike: Ken Curtis
He always makes sure his workmates are doing well and he is always willing to lend a hand and help out.
Mo Dabbas: Short Range Pit Planner at the Brule
What is a fun fact about yourself? I have three degrees from McGill University. Engineering is only one of them.
What is your favourite thing about working at Conuma? Great people to work with and an amazing working environment! I enjoy having leadership that I can look up to.
Favourite Conuma Value: Safety
We are accountable and disciplined to eliminate safety risks.
An Employee who Embodies this Value to Mike: Jessica Daigneault
Due to the freeze thaw cycle that we are currently having, some rocks are raveling from the walls. When assessing the situation we made the call to not have any operators facing the walls unless they were carefully inspected. And during night shift, we made sure the operators had a light plant to ensure they could inspect the wall before proceeding with the task. Jessica was crucial to the team’s decision, which is why she embodies safety to me.
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Leadership Development Program Update
Conuma LEADS the Way!
At Conuma, we know that great leadership is critical to our success, whether in the pit, the plant, the market, or the community.
In June, we were excited to launch the next stage of our leadership development. This time it is for 16 select leaders in our Leadership “Heart of Steel” program, or LHS for short. This program primarily focuses on Directors and VPs, with our senior executive team involved in the program’s delivery. Brian Marshall, COO and champion for the program, said, “I completed this same program when I was at BHP, and it transformed my entire career. I learned many things about myself, my leadership and the business, and these have stayed with me from that time forward”.
After the initial LHS kickoff in Tumbler Ridge on June 13, Matt Rimes said, “Wow, this program is bigger than I initially thought. I’m a bit nervous but also very excited for what I will learn and grateful for the investment Conuma is making in me!”
Each of the 16 LHS participants will identify and work on a significant business issue and receive guided coaching and mentorship through the nine-month program. The participants are Ryan O’Regan, Derek Sauve,
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LHS is a companion program to the current Supervisor and Manager Leadership Development Program (LDP) that has been running since December 2021 and has received strong overall feedback
Both programs are instrumental in developing leaders who walk the talk of our five fundamental values. If you catch someone being a values-based leader- call them out and recognize them. Individual feedback and recognition builds OneConuma.
If you have questions about leadership development at Conuma, please reach out to Christy Burres.
The Conumour Mill has been buzzing (or should we say bussing...) lately with talk of a bus service from Tumbler to the Willow.
The Scoop got the Scoop straight from Amanda Rich, Corporate HR Manager, who confirmed that Conuma is working with Golden Arrow on the details of bussing from Tumbler Ridge to Willow Creek. Details are still being worked out, so don't head to the bus stop just yet...
A formal announcement with all the information will be shared soon
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Nadia Haider, Patrick Padmore, Ryan Staschuk, Dickson Atuke, Christy Burres, Luke Kempers, Paula Krats, Rich Mallen, Dudley Miller, Svend Nielsen, Matt Rimes, Lisa Risvold, Amanda Wamsteeker and Matt Brown.
Congratulations Jordan!
A shout out from Jan Legaspi, Human Resources Manager, Brule Mine to Jordan O'Brien, Red Seal Certified Heavy Duty Mechanic, Brule Mine
We would like to congratulate Jordan O'Brien for achieving his Journeyman Heavy Duty Equipment Technician Red Seal Certification.
Jordan started with Conuma at the Brule Mine in October 2018 as a Fuel/Lube Truck Operator. In 2020 he was awarded a Heavy-Duty Mechanic apprenticeship and demonstrated hard work, dedication and discipline in achieving his Journeyman Red Seal Certification. Congratulations Jordan! You are an inspiration to the team.
Conuma New Canadians
On June 23, Paul Brocas, Sr. Maintenance Manager and Jane Armstrong, Maintenance Junior Planner attended their Canadian Citizenship Ceremony.
Paul and Jane immigrated to Canada in 2012 from South Africa. Paul joined Conuma shortly after start-up and has been a steadfast part of the Maintenance Department ever since. Jane joined the Conuma team in March of 2019 and we can gladly say that the Maintenance department would not be the same without her!
Congratulations Paul and Jane and welcome to Canada, eh! Tell us what you think!
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