Category: Community News

We want to connect!

We want to connect!

Posted on | by Keren Yun

At Wyloo, we value building strong, genuine relationships and believe that true progress comes through collaboration and mutual understanding. That’s why our team would love to meet with you. 

We’re available to arrange community visits to provide updates on our activities. Our goal is to share information about the Eagle’s Nest Project, including our mine plan and design, the work we’re carrying out, baseline data collection, as well as activities at Esker Site. We’re also happy to focus on topics that matter most to your community, ensuring our conversations are relevant to you.  

But it’s not just about presenting – we want to listen, learn and answer any questions you may have. Your feedback on how we can better incorporate Indigenous Knowledge into our activities is important to us, and we’re here to understand and hear from you. 

During our visit, you’ll meet with two or more members of our team, including:

  • Ryan Tuomi, Community Engagement Manager 
  • Clyde Moonias, Community Relations Coordinator 
  • Steve Crozier, VP Sustainability
  • Alina Shams, Director Government Relations & Sustainability
  • Zahir Jina, Director Environment
  • Matt Deller, Director Geology

We’d Love to Meet You! 
To schedule a meeting, please reach out to Ryan or Clyde at rtuomi@wyloo.com or cmoonias@wyloo.com or call us toll-free at 1-855-966-7668. We can also set up a video call with members in your community to have a virtual chat! 

Miigwetch and thank you for your time. We look forward to connecting with you soon!  

We want to connect!

Balancing work and family life with our updated parental leave policies 

Posted on | by jpalmer

In short:  

  • We recently shared our updated parental leave policies with our global workforce.  
  • We believe that our policies are progressive and reflect, or exceed, current standards in the Australian and Canadian mining industries.  
  • In Australia, the updated policy includes reductions in minimum service period needed, flexibility to commence parental leave anytime in the first 18 months of the child’s arrival and expansion of our stillbirth or infant death parental leave entitlement.  

Wyloo is pleased to share our updated parental leave policies, designed to provide the flexibility, care and support our people need when balancing their work and family lives. 

 “Our updated policies reflect our ongoing commitment to provide a culture of inclusion, equity and care,” said Vice President People and Culture, Xanthe Shaw.  

“We think that creating a culture of care and focusing on the wellbeing of our people is required to attract and retain talent. One of our values, as an organisation, is family and we are proud to offer our people a policy that allows them to thrive both at work and at home.’’ 

We believe that our policies are progressive and reflect, or exceed, current standards in the mining industries in Australia and Canada. Our approach to flexibility and parental leave reflects best practice across the industries that our people come from, including mining, banking and other professional services. 

Key features of the updated policies include:  

Australia 

  • We have reduced the minimum service period needed to access paid parental leave to six months and continue to make no distinction between primary and secondary carers, aligned to our commitment to ensure all parents can take time to bond with their child as a family.  
  • We continue to offer up to six months paid parental leave and accommodate up to 12 months total parental leave. This leave can now be commenced anytime in the first 18 months of the child’s arrival.   
  • We have expanded our stillbirth or infant death parental leave entitlement from three to six months. We recognise that in these tragic circumstances it may take time to physically and emotionally recover, and we want to support our people to return to work at Wyloo on a timeline that works for them.   

Canada  

  • Our entitlements continue to meet our ESA obligations and reflect best practice among Ontario employers.  
  • All new parents can access parental leave, and employees in receipt of EI or maternity benefits can access “top up” payments for up to six months to bring them to the level of earning that they would otherwise have received if they were working.  
  • Parental leave can commence anytime in the first 18 months of the child’s arrival.  

A Legacy of Leadership and Change, Glenn Nolan

Posted on | by Keren Yun

As Glenn Nolan prepares to retire this year, it would be impossible not to reflect on the extraordinary impact during his distinguished career. 

His journey has been one of trailblazing leadership, forging connections and leaving a lasting legacy – one that will continue to shape both the industry and the communities he has served.

Glenn’s story is deeply rooted in his personal connection to mining and development, which started at a young age. Growing up near a mining camp in northeastern Ontario, Glenn witnessed first-hand how the industry could have a positive impact on his community, Missanabie Cree First Nation, and in the surrounding region. Inspired by the opportunities mining offered, Glenn became an advocate for positive change, serving as Chief of Missanabie Cree for nine years, where he championed responsible resource development and encouraged capacity building for members in his community.

In November 2009, Glenn joined Noront Resources as Vice President Aboriginal Affairs, where he took on the critical role of navigating complex relationships within the Ring of Fire region of northern Ontario. As he transitioned later to Vice President Government Affairs, his ability to build bridges – both between industry and Indigenous communities, as well as local, provincial and federal governments – has been instrumental in advancing development in the region. 

Glenn has worn nearly every hat throughout his career. In 2022, under Wyloo’s leadership, he took on a groundbreaking new role as Vice President Indigenous Enterprises – the first of its kind in the industry. His forward-thinking approach, combined with his personal experience as Chief helped to shape his leadership in this role. This led to the inaugural Indigenous Enterprises Business Development Opportunities Workshop hosted by Wyloo in 2023, a first in a series of workshops designed to bring together communities, industry leaders and partners, as well as government representatives, on Indigenous-led businesses and opportunities. Glenn’s dedication to fostering collaboration and advancing Indigenous participation in the resource sector have and will continue to pave the way for future generations of leaders and entrepreneurs, establishing a foundation for communities to create lasting economic value – one that can sustain and thrive long after resource projects have ended. His work in this role has demonstrated that resource development and community empowerment can go hand in hand, and allowing Indigenous communities to become active partners in the process.

But Glenn’s leadership extends far beyond the walls of Wyloo. As past President of the Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada (PDAC) from 2012 to 2014, he became the first Indigenous leader to hold the position, leaving a profound impact on the association and the broader industry. Glenn was also the recipient of the prestigious Skookum Jim Award in 2023, recognized for exceptional achievement and service in the mining industry. 

His message of Indigenous Reconciliation has been shared globally through keynote speeches and executive roundtables. In 2023, at the Intergovernmental Forum on Mining, Minerals, Metals and Sustainable Development in Geneva, Switzerland, Glenn was invited to discuss what is required to build trust between Indigenous communities and the mining industry.

As Glenn retires from his role, he leaves behind a legacy defined by groundbreaking achievements and a model for leadership that prioritizes respect, collaboration, Courage and Determination, Integrity and inclusivity. His work has forever changed the landscape for Indigenous participation in the mining industry and his impact will be felt for many years to come.

Glenn, thank you for your tireless dedication, visionary leadership and the many doors you have opened for generations to follow. Your legacy is one of which we at Wyloo are incredibly proud to be a part of.

Chi-miigwetch Glenn!

 

"Glenn is an inspirational Indigenous leader in the Canadian and global mining space. His achievements and accolades reflect the scale and impact of his leadership in our industry, with Indigenous people and in building understanding between both. Throughout Glenn’s time in industry, he has been an exemplary trailblazer and role model for many First Nations and Indigenous people, myself included. It has been an honour and privilege to work alongside and learn from Glenn through our short but shared journey. Chi-miigwetch, giga-waabamin miinawaa."
— Kristan Straub, CEO Canada Wyloo

"Glenn’s contributions to Noront, Wyloo and the Canadian mining industry are significant and memorable. We are fortunate for your insights, experience and friendship. Equally important is your leadership in your community, which has role-modelled what First Nations-led mining can achieve."
— Luca Giacovazzi, CEO Wyloo 

"Glenn is the living embodiment of principled leadership and progressive thinking. He never backs down from a challenge. Most impressively, he does it all with humour and humility. My friend, we have benefited mightily from your guidance and we will miss you greatly."
— Stephen Crozier VP, Sustainability, Wyloo

"Glenn, for all of your accolades and achievements, what I will remember most fondly is your ability to bring people together – no matter what is thrown your way – and always do it with a smile on your face." 
— Alan Coutts, Former CEO, Noront Resources

Image: In the summer of 2005, Chief Glenn Nolan, Missanabie Cree First Nation and 15 paddlers embarked on a three-month long canoe journey to commemorate the centennial anniversary of the 1905 Treaty 9 commissioners’ route.

A Legacy for Leadership and Change: Glenn Nolan

Why can’t she? From mining to Australian rules football meet Caitlin

Posted on | by jpalmer

Principal Corporate Development Caitlin Boccamazzo understands the importance of diversity in many environments and is determined to continue to question “why can’t she?” instead of “why can she?”. 

Caitlin grew up in a regional town in Western Australia and sport, particularly Australian rules football (AFL), was a major part of her family’s life. Caitlin watched her dad play, coach and later became the Director of the Great Southern Football League, however there were no opportunities for young girls to play Australian rules football in the 90s/00s.  

It wasn’t until Caitlin was in her twenties that she had the opportunity to play the sport she loved and, while a knee injury cut her time on the field short, she found other ways to be involved, volunteering over the space of five years with the Claremont Women’s Football Club in several on-field and off-field roles. 

Last year Caitlin started a new position as a Director at the Claremont Football Club and is excited to continue to give back to the sport she loves in a leadership position. 

“In this new role I hope to further increase the exposure and visibility of the women’s program internally and externally including finding initiatives that promote the inclusion and respect of the female program, increase Western Australia Football League Women (WAFLW) sponsorship, and increase WAFLW matchday offerings and awareness,” Caitlin said.  

Caitlin also applies her approach, learnings and drive for gender equality and inclusion in her role at Wyloo and the broader mining industry.  Caitlin has sat on inclusion and diversity boards in the workplace and advocates for women to not only join the finance industry but also look for opportunities in the mining finance and investment industry, both of which have traditionally been male dominated.  

“I don’t think there is a huge difference between a sporting team and a workplace, both sets of groups are working and collaborating to execute a set of objectives,” Caitlin said. 

“Diversity in any environment is important, as it helps to facilitate out of the box thinking and creates inclusive and equitable discussion and actions through increased social intelligence.  

“These things will lead to better environments and cultures within teams and workplaces that support the objectives of a team or organisation while motivating a diverse number of groups and people. 

“There is still a long way to go, but each year there is more respect and recognition for females in both male dominated sports and industries.” 

At Wyloo we believe in driving performance through diversity and know that diverse perspectives lead to stronger, more innovative solutions, and value the contributions of people of various genders, ages, ethnicities and work and life experiences. 

We are targeting gender equality in leadership roles and across our broader workforce with 40 per cent women, 40 per cent men and 20 per cent any gender.

Dr Tony Chamberlain joins the Wyloo team

Wyloo welcomes Dr Tony Chamberlain to the team.

Posted on | by jpalmer

We are pleased to welcome Dr Tony Chamberlain in the role of Special Projects Director at Wyloo. Tony will be responsible for managing future growth options for our Kambalda Nickel Operations based in Western Australia.

Tony holds a PhD in metallurgy and, with over 30 years’ experience in the resources industry, he brings a wealth of knowledge in the full project cycle from resource optimisation, engineering, approvals, project development and operational phases.

Tony is passionate about bringing projects to life and has been successful in managing major projects from commencement to mine ready status.

Tony has held senior operational and management roles within BHP and WMC Resources and held a number of senior executive roles in the junior ASX resource sector.

We believe in a bright future for Kambalda and are thrilled to have Tony leading the charge as part of our Wyloo team.

It’s All About the Base

Posted on | by Keren Yun

2023 – 2024 BASELINE DATA COLLECTION

What is Baseline Data Collection?
Baseline data collection is a fancy term for gathering detailed information about the current environmental conditions of a particular area. For the Eagle’s Nest Project, it’s the starting point for understanding the environment (water, air, flora and fauna), setting the groundwork for modelling potential changes as technical and project understanding work advances.
The data we collect today helps to further our understanding of current conditions and is the basis of identifying changes in the environment, either by direct, indirect or cumulative effects that may stem from the Project. The data can also be used to set realistic and achievable targets, triggers for mitigations and improve performance along the way. A strong data set helps us measure our effectiveness and success, as we have the ability to compare past, present and future results to evaluate how effective our programs are. This will support us in making informed decisions during project development.

What are we Doing at Eagle’s Nest?
Wyloo is advancing extensive baseline data collection to gain a deep understanding of the natural environment around the Project. We are also working with our Indigenous partners to understand their traditional views and interactions with the land, and to incorporate Indigenous knowledge into our efforts. Here are some of the ways we’re carrying out this work:

Biodiversity and ecology: we are studying both vegetation and aquatic (water and peatlands) ecosystems. This includes vegetation mapping and comparing it with existing provincial data to help us refine current data sets and further understand the diverse plant life and ecological inter-dynamics.

Wildlife species: we study all wildlife species that interact within the landscape, including caribou, wolverines, bats and nesting birds. The data we collect provides insights into habitat variety, migration patterns and seasonal use.

Air quality: we have set up stations to continuously monitor the air quality in and around our site, which will support our modelling efforts as we advance Eagle’s Nest.

Surface and Groundwater Quality: we evaluate the local water balance and quality monthly, conducting routine sampling at 27 groundwater wells, 28 surface water stations and four flow stations. These stations have been strategically positioned both upstream and downstream from the Project to understand and identify potential areas of influence and changes in the natural hydrologic environment.

Indigenous-led monitoring: as we advance our Project, we will establish an Indigenous-led monitoring program to ensure environmental monitoring activities are conducted either by or in active collaboration with our partner Indigenous Nations. This will also help to advance our understanding of cultural significance and knowledge sharing.

Directly involving community members in data collection and review of monitoring programs is part of our commitment to transparency and collaboration. Our intent is to integrate this data with input from communities to shape our Project design and share updates with you in our next newsletter.

Launching our Inaugural Canada Sustainability Approach – 2024 Report

We have released our inaugural Canada Sustainability Approach – serving as a cornerstone towards comprehensive sustainability reporting in Canada. Learn more about our commitment to transparency and meaningful and inclusive participation of First Nation communities as we develop the Eagle’s Nest Project: www.wylooeaglesnest.com

Frank at our Toronto office

Co-op student uses AI to bring a fresh perspective – meet Jiawei (Frank)

Posted on | by Leanne Franco

For Jiawei (Frank) Zhang, working on an initiative designed to revolutionise data management
at Wyloo is an opportunity to channel his skill set in the professional world.

Frank, who is completing a Master of Business Analytic Degree at the University of British
Columbia–Saunder School of Business has joined our team in Toronto for three months in a co-op
placement.

Co-op student programs integrate work periods in companies related to the field of study the
student is completing, providing valuable job experience and a fresh perspective for the host
company.

“I chose to undertake a co-op role with Wyloo because the role and organisation are a great fit
for my skills, professional goals and my personal values,” said Frank.

“In addition to the rewarding work, the people here at Wyloo are lovely; I really like my team and
my managers. Since joining, I have had many opportunities to have my opinions heard, be part
of the conversation and feel empowered to do my work.”

Wyloo is equally thrilled to have Frank’s fresh perspective as he assists in the research and
development of Wyloo’s ‘Glass Box’ approach; an initiative designed to provide maximum
transparency to stakeholders around our Eagle’s Nest Project, including real-time access to
project information, environmental monitoring and data capture.

The approach leverages advanced artificial intelligence (AI), particularly generative large
language models, to optimize data accessibility and analytics within data management
platforms.

Frank is diving deep into the latest available research to develop general guidelines and first
principles for adopting AI in Wyloo’s database and content management systems, which will
inform our ‘Glass Box’ approach.

“My involvement in the ‘Glass Box’ approach is highly relevant to my studies in Business
Analytics, as it allows me to apply and further develop my skills in data analytics and AI
integration,” he said.

“I have the opportunity to engage directly with cutting-edge technologies in AI integration,
database management, and research, especially within the context of sustainability and largescale
project management.

“Wyloo’s commitment to transparency and sustainability, exemplified by projects like Eagle’s
Nest and the innovative “Glass Box” initiative, resonates strongly with one of my important
beliefs of building long-lasting, trusting relationships and community. This role offers a unique
chance to contribute to impactful projects and develop my skills in a dynamic and forward thinking
environment.

“AI has a transformative role in the future of mining and sustainability by enhancing operational
efficiency, reducing environmental impact, and improving safety and compliance monitoring
through the lens of data analytics and predictive modeling. For Wyloo, utilizing AI is critical in
creating an interface for transparency, demonstrating the company’s goals of leading the
industry in sustainability practices and trust acquisition.”

Zahir Jina, Frank’s manager, remarked on Frank’s fresh approach to AI foundations and
integration as an asset to the team.

”Frank has quickly integrated and become a valued member of our team. His insights have
supported an understanding of AI foundations and integration for our “Glass Box” framework,
which are critical for implementation. We are excited to welcome co-op students to Wyloo,
providing their unique perspectives and knowledge as we advance our mission of environmental
stewardship,” he said.

Thank you for being part of our team, Frank!

Many of our Kambalda team members

Thank you, Kambalda

Posted on | by Leanne Franco

Today, 31 May, marks our last day of operations in Kambalda before transitioning to care and maintenance.

Our CEO Luca Giacovazzi and Asset President – Kambalda Steve Price reflect on the journey of our Kambalda operations and extend their thanks, on behalf of Wyloo, to our Kambalda teams across Cassini and Northern Operations for their commitment over the past few months.

Luca said the teams’ commitment to safety, while achieving strong production results, has been second-to-none.

“We deeply appreciate your dedication to achieving our production targets safely and admire your positive attitudes, strong work ethic, loyalty and teamwork as we delivered our final tonnes and prepared for a pause in operations,” he said.

“Your unwavering commitment to safety, professionalism and resilience during this period has been significant, and your exceptional efforts have not gone unnoticed.

“This hard work lays the foundation for our future success when we re-open our Cassini and Northern Operations mines in the future.”

Steve said it had been a remarkable few months since announcing our intention to place our Kambalda operations into care and maintenance.

“Our team has consistently exceeded budgeted ore production while maintaining excellent safety performance throughout the transition, all in a reduced cost environment,” he said.

“I hope you all take a moment to pause and reflect on what you have been able to achieve and are proud of your efforts.”

Steve said it was wonderful to reflect on the many fond memories at the recent celebratory gatherings with the teams.

“Our Kambalda operations have a long and rich history, from achieving the first ore mined at Cassini in March 2022 and the historic connection of our Northern Operations’ Otter-Juan and Long-Victor mines in February 2023,” Steve said.

“We now enter a new phase as we plan for our restart. We believe in a bright future for Kambalda and look forward to reaching many more milestones after we re-open in the future.

“It’s been a pleasure having all of you as part of our Wyloo family, and know that you will remain a part of our family, always.”

A six-person refuge chamber

Putting safety first at our underground mines

Posted on | by Leanne Franco

Keeping our underground teams safe is our first priority at our Kambalda operations. We have a number of measures in place, such as stench gas, emergency escapeways, self-preservation techniques and refuge chambers to ensure that, in the unlikely event of an emergency, our people will be prepared to respond.

Refuge chambers protect people during an underground emergency or event where the atmosphere becomes irrespirable, such as an underground fire, explosion, outburst of toxic gases or ground collapse, among others.

Our Vice President Safety and Sustainability Braden Dunsmore explains the vital role the chambers play in ensuring our Wyloo family and contractors stay safe.

“We are always focused on preventing emergency events in the first place, however, where an event occurs that causes reduced access to breathable air, rescue chambers provide an isolated, safe place to take refuge underground while waiting for the fresh air supply to be reinstated or a rescue to occur,” Braden said.

“When in use, they offer breathable air, water, thermally regulated conditions, communication channels, other supplies, and even card games.”

Inside a refuge chamber.

Refuge chambers are designed with safety at the forefront.

“They include a secondary emergency exit, in the event the main access door becomes blocked, as well as a window to enable visual communication between the inside and outside. The window also helps to lessen the feeling of being enclosed in a small space,” he said.

“Chambers can be fully sealed off from the surrounding environment and also provide pressure equalisation to maintain their internal pressure.

“While we always position refuge chambers in locations off underground roadways and away from potential hazards, chambers are required to be robustly designed to withstand movement around the mine to ensure they remain close to active working areas.

“They also come in a mix of sizes to accommodate for more than that of the operating crew. Our Cassini mine has eight refuge chambers while Northern Operations has 16, each with a capacity of four, six or 12 people.”

Under the Work Health and Safety (Mines) Regulations 2022, it is a legislative requirement to provide an adequate number of refuge chambers in a mine in case of an emergency, and a means of escape to an exit or refuge safely in conditions of reduced visibility or irrespirable or unsafe atmospheres.

Each chamber must have three levels of operation, with varying degrees of independence. These include:

  • Stand-by – where there is no emergency, a chamber operates under stand-by conditions with charged power packs and communication systems enabled.
  • Externally supported – where there is an emergency but no disruption to normal electrical, pneumatic and potable water services, a chamber operates under externally supported conditions.
  • Stand-alone – where there is an emergency and a chamber becomes disconnected from normal external services, a chamber can function with total independence, or stand-alone, to ensure the survival of people.

“These types of incidents are not common, and we certainly hope we never need to use a refuge chamber in an emergency, but we always want to be prepared to keep our people safe in any scenario,” he said.

Amy Lefebvre, pictured middle, with the Wyloo team

Student trailblazer announced as Women in Mining award winner

Posted on | by Leanne Franco

Pictured: Amy Lefebvre (middle) with the Wyloo team.

The University of Western Ontario Environmental Science student Amy Lefebvre’s dedication to her studies has paid off, earning her the Women in Mining Canada Indigenous Student Trailblazer Award, with Wyloo one of the proud sponsors.

The Indigenous Student Trailblazer Award is one of five annual awards presented by Women in Mining Canada that recognizes the achievements, leadership and ‘trailblazing spirit’ of women in the Canadian mining industry.

Currently completing her bachelor’s thesis in geology as part of her fourth year of studies, Amy has always been curious about the world and the environment having grown up in Timmins, a small city surrounded by lakes and forests in the heart of the mineral-rich area of Northern Ontario.

Amy’s passion for geology has seen her embrace a variety of opportunities through her studies, including internships, research, mentorship roles and a leadership position at the University’s earth science association, with her achievements making Amy a well-deserving winner of the prestigious award.

Métis, French and Italian by background, Amy said it was special to receive such an acknowledgement so early in her career.

“Winning the Indigenous Student Trailblazer Award validates my accomplishments and contributions to the mining industry so far,” she said.

“I’m proud of my achievement and I hope it will encourage other Métis citizens to embrace their heritage and pursue their passions as well.

“It’s an accomplishment that reflects positively on me, my family, and my community, and I am so proud that everyone who has supported my journey is reflected in this award.”

Amy said the award had provided motivation to pursue more opportunities in the mining industry and continue making meaningful contributions to the field into the future.

“The award enables me to continue my passion for discovering more about the earth, how humans influence it, the possible long-term consequences of our activities and the sustainable practices we can implement to hopefully prevent the worst of these consequences from occurring,” she said.

“As a passionate academic, I’m looking forward to continuing my education in geology through research and new initiatives before entering the workforce, which will give me time to learn more about the mining industry and the many career opportunities on offer through geology.”

Amy believes the award helps promote participation of women in mining, and other fields that have been male-dominated in the past.

“I feel empowered to be in a position where I am able to excel in this field and be recognized for my accomplishments,” she said.

“Uplifting women through awards like this is a good step in the right direction to promote the face of positive female role models in the industry. Continuing to do so over a long period of time will hopefully aggregate more attention from young women looking to enter the field and give them the confidence to do so.

“Moreover, continuing to work towards equality in the workforce and addressing the barriers that women in mining face is very important to keep women in this field once they have entered their careers.

“I am confident the future is bright for me and my colleagues with organizations like Wyloo and Women in Mining Canada as vocal supporters of diversity and equity.”

Wyloo CEO, Canada Kristan Straub said it was a pleasure to sponsor Amy’s travel and attendance at the awards ceremony held at the Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada (PDAC) conference in Toronto on March 5, 2024.

“We congratulate Amy on her exceptional achievements in her studies and career so far, which we are very proud to support,” Kristan said.

“Amy is a well-deserving candidate of the Indigenous Student Trailblazer Award. We look forward to watching Amy’s career flourish as she paves the way for future generations.”

Amy said Wyloo’s sponsorship enabled her to enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime experience at the awards ceremony.

“Without Wyloo’s sponsorship, I wouldn’t have been able to attend the award ceremony due to the financial burden of travel. It was a privilege to meet the Women in Mining Canada team, Wyloo and the supporters that came to the award ceremony,” she said.

“Thank you for your support.”