HECLA QUÉBEC
GOLD STANDARD MINING With outstanding health and safety practices and as a proud First Nations employer, Vice President of Hecla Mining Québec, Ronald Durham, discusses responsible mining and future innovation Writer: Phoebe Harper | Project Manager: David Knott Always be honest and listen to the people that you are working with. That is always going to help the operation.” For Ronald Durham, Vice President and General Manager of Hecla Québec, this sound advice has served him in good stead since his early days underground. Hecla Québec represents the Canadian division of the vast Hecla Mining enterprise – North America’s largest silver producer and the oldest listed precious metal mining company on the New York Stock Exchange. In a province that is renowned for the wealth of its mineral deposits in copper, silver, gold and zinc, Hecla Québec are well placed to mine Eastern Canada’s natural resources. The company’s flagship Casa Berardi mine was founded over 130 years ago and stands today as one of the area’s most significant gold mining projects, representing Hecla Québec’s key asset. Located 95 kilometers north of La Sarre, the mine is strategically positioned to straddle a 37 kilometer section of the Casa Berardi fault. 2 | North America Outlook issue 05
MINING
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SKILL AND CARE IN MINING OPERATIONS RELIABLE, MULTIDISCIPLINARY EXPERTS SO WE CAN OPEN NEW DOORS IN AN ENVIRONMENT WHERE HEALTH AND SAFETY ARE CRITICAL.
MINING OPERATIONS • • • • • • • • • •
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CIVIL OPERATIONS • • • • • • • • • • •
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Tel: 819-732-3351 | norascon@norascon.qc.ca 1705, route de l’Aéroport | C.P. 370, Amos, Québec J9T 3A7 Telec: 819-732-2933 | www.norascon.com
HECLA QUÉBEC “In 2020, we produced 121,000 ounces of gold and 21,000 ounces of silver.” These figures were lower than those recorded in 2019, as a direct result of the three-week lockdown imposed on mining activities by the Québec government due to COVID-19. “Casa Berardi is a hybrid mine – we have both two open pit and two underground mines - one in the east sector, one in the west sector. The open pit is called East Mine Crown Pillar (EMCP), which has been completed – we are mining its extension right now and later this year we will be opening the 160 pit,” Durham tells us. Durham himself climbed the ladder to his current position after years in the industry, originating with a summer job in 1989 working as a surveyor. After his first experience underground, Durham was enchanted. “The first time that I went underground, I really fell in love with the old magic of an underground mine,” he comments. A degree in Mining Engineering followed and an ascendent career path from first line
supervisor, to miner, then engineer, leading to Durham’s ongoing tenure as Vice President and General Manager of Hecla Québec today.
“WE’RE A CONTINUOUS OPERATION, 24 HOURS A DAY, SEVEN DAYS A WEEK” – RONALD DURHAM, VP AND GENERAL MANAGER, HECLA QUÉBEC EMPOWERING THE WORKFORCE As the leading tenet of Hecla Québec’s CSR plans, worker health and safety is a huge component of being an attractive employer, with its workforce operating safe in the knowledge that their welfare is paramount. “Last year, we reached an OSHA incident rate of 1.7 on December 31st 2020. This was down by 37 percent from 2019 which was at 2.7 but over the last six years we basically bought it down from 10 to 1.7.” As of January 13th 2021, Hecla Québec celebrated the significant milestone of marking one year without a lost time accident.
“WE ARE THE SAFEST MINE IN THE PROVINCE OF QUÉBEC AND THE WHOLE OF EASTERN CANADA INCLUDING ALL THE MARITIME PROVINCES. THIS IS A HUGE ACHIEVEMENT FOR US” – RONALD DURHAM, VP AND GENERAL MANAGER, HECLA QUÉBEC
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“The Casa Berardi mine is now recognized by the industry as one of the safest mines. And this last year, we affirmed our health and safety leadership by achieving one year without a lost time accident,” Durham adds. These efforts culminated in the receipt of the prestigious John T. Ryan trophy from the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum, in recognition of the mine’s outstanding health and safety performance throughout 2020. The company is energized by a young workforce, with 45 percent of staff aged between 18 and 35 and a good gender split in a particularly male dominated industry.
RESPONSIBLE MINING A three-pillar corporate social responsibility plan is central to all Hecla Québec mining operations. 1. Worker Health and Safety 2. Community Engagement 3. Environmental Stewardship highest standards of excellence
“Approximately 10 percent of employees on the Hecla Québec payroll are women,” Durham tells us. As one of the largest employers in Northern Quebec, Hecla Québec’s total staff comprises around 1,042 people, 369 of which are contractor employees hired by the contractor that the company uses for open pit operations. The company encourage career progression and endeavors to simplify the working lives of their employees by providing catering and transport services, with the future goal of implementing a new clerical office within the closest major town, to save employees having to travel several hours a day to the mine site.
NORASCON, A STRATEGIC PARTNER FOR MINING PROJECTS - FROM START TO FINISH
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onstruction Norascon has been awarded the open pit mining contract - pit 160 and others by Hecla Quebec at their Casa Berardi Mine.
This contract is the continuation of the work we have been carrying out on the site since 2016. During this period, Norascon operated the entire EMCP pit as well as started the preparation work for pit 160, including all work from overburden removal, drilling, blasting and excavation. This new contract therefore allows us to continue operating 160 pit and other subsequent pits. We would like to thank Hecla Quebec for their trust, as well as all the workers and stakeholders assigned to the project who will guarantee the success of the operation of the pits for years to come. ABOUT US Norascon specializes in civil and mining engineering work. Since our inception over 30 years ago, we have built a solid reputation as an industry leader both for the quality of our services and the commitment and expertise of our team on every project we undertake. At Norascon, construction is in our DNA, and our proven expertise has given us the chance to work on major projects and carve out an enviable position in the market. With the extensive range of services and solutions we offer our clients, we have what it takes to meet the industry’s most exacting needs.
Norascon boasts years of experience working on a variety of large road and mining projects. We offer an extensive range of services and solutions allowing us to work hand in hand with clients from the day one of their project. From managing project to examining contract documents and even managing work on the ground, Norascon can support clients at every phase of a project in accordance with all standards set by the client and the relevant authorities. We know that efficiency and flexibility are vital to any project, and our deep commitment to success shines through in the excellence of the results we deliver. Norascon has built an excellent standing providing quality construction services to some of the biggest names in the Canadian mining industry since 1987. Norascon delivers on-time, quality solutions to all types of project challenges – no matter how complex. We are happy to meet and work with different compagnies to find a solution tailored to their need. As a known leader in mining and road construction, Norascon owes its success to the hard work of its team and its strong dedication to its markets. Norascon sets the standard in its field and is recognized as an outstanding supplier and employer in the mining and road construction industry. NORASCON A ROCK-SOLID REPUTATION
T 819-732-3351 | E norascon@norascon.qc.ca
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www.norascon.com
HECLA QUÉBEC
Jennmar We are proud to announce that Jennmar Canada Ltd. and Hecla Quebec have signed a three-year partnership for the supply of ground support products.
CURRENT PROJECTS: THE 160 PIT At Casa Berardi in the fourth quarter of 2020, a new discovery was made in the 160 Zone 500 feet east of the current resource blocks. The discovery drillhole intersected 0.32 oz/ton gold over 9.5 feet estimated true width including 1.16 oz/ton gold over 2.0 feet estimated true width. “Our major investment project that we are putting capital on in 2021 is the launch of our new open pit, 160. Right now, we are on pre-stripping, and we are targeting to commence mining in Q4.” - Ronald Durham, VP and General Manager
Durham identifies recruitment and talent retention as “probably the biggest challenge for the mining industry going into the future.” “To be able to assess this, one of the things that we did this year was a survey with all of our employees to capture their requests and all of 8 | North America Outlook issue 05
their concerns. We took that survey, analyzed it and we have started to implement some of the demands that our workforce had in mind. “Everything that we are able to implement, we will do it. We want to be as attractive as possible to our workforce.” A key ingredient of the Hecla Québec workforce that is a particular source of pride to Durham, is the representation of First Nation employees within their staff, indicative of the respect that the company pays to the aboriginal communities surrounding their environment. “Last year, we maintained an average of 25 First Nation employees on our site. We also strongly encourage our suppliers to employee from the First Nations also. We are working very well on this aspect in our operation,” he explains. On December 9th 2020, the company signed a cooperative agreement for the exploration, development and operation of the Casa Berardi mine projects with the Council of the Abitibiwinni First Nation (CAFN).
Jennmar is strategically choosing their contractual clients with priorities on meeting and / or exceeding the market expectations in terms of service and supply of ground support products. We are excited to partner with forward thinking Companies like Hecla who recognize the dynamics and the demand for these products in a rapidly changing steel market. Without a partnership it becomes very challenging to secure raw material inventory. Thanks to Jennmar’s Global presence and buying power, we are fortunate to be able to secure raw materials in turn ensuring a continuous service for our valuable client list. We believe that competitive pricing will entice clients but in reality, it is our level of service that sets us apart from our competition. We have teamed up with Hecla Quebec’s operations as it is one of the most innovative mines in North America and their demands are ramping up as they drive through their second mining horizon congruently. We have worked hand in hand to qualify our products though their engineering process and are now supplying the bulk of their ground support needs. We see Hecla Quebec as a partner where information is shared freely back and forth always with the goal of ensuring transparency of specifications as well as dynamic changes in the mine where we have to react and change product forecasts which ensures smoother safer operations.
www.jennmar.com
SAFETY, SERVICE, AND INNOVATION Our commitment to you, our customers, is guided by three words; SAFETY, SERVICE, and INNOVATION. We are constantly moving forward creating products of the highest quality and providing you with the services which make the impossible possible. Our ability to provide our customers a complete range of complementary products and services ensures quality, efficiency and availability resulting in reduced costs, reduced lead times and increased customer satisfaction! From our Engineers to our Technical Sales Representatives we work tirelessly with you to ensure your safety is at the forefront. We will be with you every step of the way.
C A N A DA LO C AT I O N • ( 70 5 ) 52 5 - 0101 • S U D B U R Y, O N C A N A DA • W W W. J EN N M A R .CO M G LO B A L H E A D Q UA R T ER S • (412) -96 3 -9 071 • PI T T S B U R G H, PA U S A • W W W. J EN N M A R .CO M
HECLA QUÉBEC
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MINING Vente - Réparation - Installation (Miniers/Industriels/Particuliers)
Service
24H
Poids Lourd
www.pneusgbm.com Succursales: Rouyn-Noranda /Val-d'Or /La Sarre /Amos /Ville-Marie Chibougamau /Matagami/ Mont-Laurier
“This was an important milestone because we’re only the second mining company of our region (AbitibiTemiscamingue) to sign an agreement with the First Nation – we are very proud of that.”
INCORPORATING INNOVATION Alongside progressing and innovating the company in a responsible manner by acting on the feedback of employees, technologically speaking, there are many aspects of the Casa Berardi mine that showcase how Hecla Québec incorporate innovation. For the past six years, Hecla Québec have been exploring the possibilities of automating above ground hoisting operations, enabling the mine to continue hoisting even without anyone underground. By so doing, the hoisting operations are fed by the rock hammer underground, which in turn is also automated from the surface. Two automated
trucks have been implemented to transport materials to a rock hammer, representing a greatly streamlined method of operation. “We were the third mine in the world to implement that technology,” Durham tells us. Another primary example of innovation within the mine is Hecla Québec’s work within ventilation on demand to mitigate the site’s electricity consumption. The company is looking to implement phase two of this project in the near future. “We also worked on our underground development, through which we were able to reduce the over break of the development from 12 percent to eight percent by having an automated drill pattern within our jumbo that is doing the underground development. “Through working on our production drilling and enabling the drill to drill an extra hole, we were able to have an average of about 12 meters of extra
production drilling per day for the past five years by doing so,” he explains. In an ongoing effort to reduce the company’s energy consumption, energy on demand will remain a key area of focus to increase efficiency. In terms of North America’s mining sector today, Durham observes the industry as defined by a promising dynamism. “With the prices of the metal right now, there is a lot of enthusiasm and a lot of mines expanding. “The future is really bright for the mining industry right now.”
Phone: 819 339-0610 relations.casaberardi@hecla-mining.com www.hecla-quebec.com
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HECLA QUÉBEC 659, 2e rue Est, La Sarre (Québec, Canada) J9Z 2Y9 Phone: 819 339-0610 relations.casaberardi@hecla-mining.com www.hecla-quebec.com www.hecla-mining.com
PRODUCED BY NORTH AMERICA OUTLOOK MAGAZINE