Procon

TNDC PARTNER PROCON

Corporate Head Office:

620-4664 Lougheed Highway, Burnaby, BC V5C 0E4

CONTACT

Leanne Shaw

Vice President, Human Resources 604 291 8292 lshaw@procongroup.com

procongroup.com COMPANY OVERVIEW

Established in 1992, Procon is one of North America’s leading mining contractors. Our skillset includes the ability to construct and operate complex underground mine and civil infrastructure projects. A significant proportion of this work is performed through Indigenous partnerships in remote northern locations. Procon’s corporate office is in Burnaby, BC, and is supported with locations in Nisku, AB; Saskatoon, SK; Val-d’Or, QC; and Yellowknife, NT.

What is your relationship with TNDC and the Tahltan Nation? How long have you had your joint venture (or other relationship) with TNDC?

Procon and the TNDC have successfully worked together on several projects within (or in proximity to) Tahltan Territory, including AltaGas’ Forrest Kerr and McLymont Hydroelectric projects, and Pretivm’s Brucejack Mine. Our relationship with the Tahltan has developed through various forms of joint venture agreements supporting work within the Golden Triangle region of British Columbia for more than 20 years.

What employment and training opportunities are available to Tahltan members? How do you communicate these opportunities?

Procon has internally developed a “new miner” training program that incorporates modules to introduce and train workers on various aspects of underground mining. At the Brucejack Mine, as an example, new employees from the Tahltan Nation are provided the opportunity to work through these modules over time with the goal of producing job-ready underground miners. This in-house program combines classroom theory with hands-on training and is aligned with legislative requirements.

Through training and experience, the intent of the program is to provide employees with the opportunity to advance, over time and with the right competencies, through various job functions into future roles such as an equipment operator, driller, or supervisor. Positions are also made available to those holding technology diplomas/degrees supporting surveyor, mine technician or mine engineer roles within the company. We work directly with TNDC’s Human Resources and career centre, and are partnering to post all job opportunities to the TCG OnTrack Job Board.

Why should Tahltan members want to work for you?

We are proud of our relationship with the Tahltan Nation and believe in the rights of all Indigenous Nations to benefit from resource development in their regions. Procon has integrated Indigenous relations into our core business strategies and practices to the point we consider ourselves to be the leader in our chosen business in Canada in partnering with Indigenous businesses. To this end, more than 75% of our business is performed through Indigenous partnerships and we are proud of our diverse workforce which we look to further develop.

Procon is committed to providing our current and future Indigenous employees who possess the essential skills and experience with opportunities for advancement. We strive to build relationships built upon a framework of mutual benefit, respect, and sustainability.

Above: Mine rescue training.

What training opportunities do you provide for Tahltan members?

Partnering with Indigenous communities is key to Procon’s continued success. Procon is committed to providing the necessary health and safety training to our employees, to protect our greatest resource – our people. As part of Procon’s Miner Training Programs, Tahltan members have the opportunity to participate in a wide variety of training courses including but not limited to the following:

• Supervisor & Leadership Training; • Task Training;

• New Miner Training;

• Equipment Training; • Explosive’s awareness; • Fall Protection;

• Emergency response; • Rigging and Inspection; • Incident/Accident Investigation; and, • Hazard Recognition / Risk Awareness.

Procon utilizes project specific training plans to identify and communicate training for employees based on their location, hazards and risks specific to their tasks.

What philanthropic contributions have you made to the Tahltan Nation?

Procon has contributed to the Tahltan HATs; the TNDC Community Christmas Party, and the Youth Select Junior Hockey club. In addition, through our TNDC/ Procon Joint Venture, we contribute to the community through the financial success of the partnership.

How do you communicate contracting processes when you are looking for services providers?

Set-aside opportunities for Indigenous suppliers and businesses are identified by Procon on a project-byproject basis. Procon further engages Indigenous businesses as a preferred supplier of goods and services to the extent such companies or individuals are qualified, skilled and provide competitive pricing. Our Indigenous procurement policy was developed in Q4 2021 as a key deliverable of the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business (CCAB) Progressive Aboriginal Relations (PAR) certification program and full implementation of this policy will better ensure that Indigenous businesses have meaningful access to opportunities within Procon’s supply chain.

What is your approach to including Tahltan businesses in your operations?

Procon recognizes that Indigenous procurement is an important driver of economic reconciliation and development for Indigenous communities.

Procon anticipates establishing a Tahltan-specific procurement database in conjunction with TNDC and Tahltan Leadership and will work closely with the Tahltan to identify new business development opportunities which may exist with Procon’s supply chain that directly supports not only Procon’s projectspecific operations, but its corporate operations as well. This could result in new venture opportunities for Tahltan businesses and entrepreneurs.

Anything else you would like to share with the Tahltan Nation?

The depth of Procon’s relationship with TNDC and our Tahltan employees has been evident throughout the pandemic lifecycle. We have carefully worked to implement, communicate, and maintain the requested protocols by the Tahltan Health Authority for our Tahltan workforce, designed to help manage their health and safety and that of their communities.

Respectful partnership has been at the core of our relationship and the pandemic further deepened this. Procon has access to training facilities in Smithers to conduct specialized training courses. Through training, we are educating all employees on the unique histories, experiences, and world views of Indigenous Peoples in Canada through compulsory cultural awareness training to increase awareness and build understanding of the Indigenous cultures in the regions where we work.

We value the relationship we have built with the Tahltan Nation, and we look forward to further growing our relationship this year and beyond.