Category: Community News

The Future of Fatherhood: Transforming Behaviours for Generations 

Posted on | by Jpalmer

At Wyloo, we are proud to have a supportive and flexible work environment that allows our people to bring their whole selves to work every day.  

Recently, our Chief Development Officer, Joel Turco, spent the morning exploring the transformative journey of fatherhood at an event held by CEOs for Gender Equity. Hosted by Sarah Maconachie, Founder and CEO of Work Hard Parent Hard, The Future of Fatherhood event explored how the role of dads is shifting and what that means for families, workplaces, and society. 

For Joel, it was an inspiring event and an opportunity to learn, reflect and share his experience as a father of two.  “The expectation of fatherhood is transforming,” he reflected. “And the way we show up for our children today will shape their own expectations of fatherhood when they’re parents themselves. That’s how change happens across generations.” 

One idea explored at the event, that stuck with Joel, was just how far-reaching the benefits of supporting fathers at work can be. Supporting fathers in the workplace supports everyone: the father themselves (as an employee), their partner, their children, other current or prospective fathers in the organisation, and other employees across the organisation who observe this attitude towards supporting employees to bring their whole self to work. 

Joel knows this first-hand. Balancing a busy professional life with the daily rhythms of raising a family isn’t always easy. There are mornings that feel rushed and bedtimes that stretch long into the evening. But he left the event with a new perspective, shared by parents in the room with older kids: those small, everyday interactions –   breakfast before school or a bedtime story – are the moments that matter most. These interactions are something to treasure and to look forward to. 

Research shared at the event reinforced this point. When fathers are positively involved in their children’s lives, outcomes improve across the board for their kids: better mental health, improved numeracy and literacy, stronger relationship building and better decision making. 

Workplaces play a critical role in enabling dads to be engaged fathers. At Wyloo, we’re proud to role model a lot of the recommended practices for supporting fathers in the workplace. As an organisation, we provide and encourage flexible working for all employees, whether that’s working from home or adjusting hours to be there for school drop-off and pick-up. Our parental leave policy makes 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 aim to make parenting visible and to support the fathers in our organisation to role model active, hands-on fatherhood. 

“It’s important to communicate that support for fathers is not a ‘special consideration’ but an extension of the support we give to all our employees (parents or otherwise) that enable them to bring their entire selves to work every day.  The future of fatherhood is here,” Joel said. “And by embracing it, we’re building stronger families, better workplaces, and healthier communities.” 

Students on a site visit

Student visit CoRE to education

Posted on | by Jpalmer

On Wednesday 30 August Wyloo, in partnership with The Centre of Resources Excellence (CoRE), welcomed students and teachers from Joseph Banks Secondary College to our Northern Operations in Kambalda, Western Australia.

Wyloo proudly sponsors CoRE, helping to transform STEM education in Western Australian schools through immersive field trips. CoRE offers an innovative educational approach with a primary focus on preparing students for meaningful careers in the resources industry. 

Zoran Seat, Asset President, said he was impressed by the students’ enthusiasm and curiosity throughout the day.

“CoRE’s immersive field trip program aligns closely with Wyloo’s commitment to building strong local partnerships, supporting STEM education, and fostering a sustainable future,” he said.

“It’s exciting to see the next generation of miners, technicians, and engineers experiencing site for the first time and not just in theory, but in real life. Together, we’re helping to grow a skilled workforce and contribute to a thriving Western Australia.”

During the visit students were given the chance to step beyond the classroom and into real operational environments, building awareness of future career opportunities and developing valuable skills.

Suzy Urbaniak, CoRE’s founder, who attended the trip, said that site visits sparked interest in STEM careers.

“Our visit to Wyloo’s Northern Operations at Kambalda brought the real classroom to life,” Suzy shared. “Students experienced an authentic day in the underground mining world.”

To give students a real sense of what working in mining looks like, the Wyloo team designed a day that reflected the dynamic nature of site operations, from field exploration through to emergency response and underground infrastructure.

Students completed a safety share and toured the broader Kambalda region by bus, where they visited key operational and historical landmarks, gaining insight into the scale of the local mining landscape and its connection to the broader resources sector. Back on-site students completed a series of hands-on sessions, led by Wyloo team members, across a range of disciplines. From geology and exploration to shaft infrastructure, mine safety and emergency procedures, students experienced the diversity of roles required to keep a site running smoothly.

The day offered more than just a tour, it provided an authentic look at how varied, challenging and rewarding a career in mining can be. Team members didn’t just explain their roles, they brought them to life, sharing first-hand stories, answering questions and demonstrating the collaboration and coordination that drives success on site.

“The Wyloo team went above and beyond, sharing their passion, expertise and career insights with CoRE’s students and their educators. This is exactly what the CoRE Learning Model was designed for — to bridge education with real industry, inspiring future pathways through immersive, meaningful learning,” said Suzy.

A sincere thank you to all the students, teachers and team members who made this day such a success.

A Symbol of Shared Commitment to Indigenous-led Development in the Region

Posted on | by Keren Yun

This month, the Chiefs, Councils, Elders and community members of Marten Falls and Webequie First Nations came together in a joint ceremony to respectfully take down the ceremonial teepee at Esker Site.

It was an honour to host this meaningful event – a symbol of our shared commitment to Indigenous-led development in the region. The collaboration between Marten Falls and Webequie First Nations is truly inspiring, marking a landmark approach to resource development in Canada – one that prioritizes Indigenous sovereignty, environmental stewardship and shared prosperity.

Read the joint press release issued by Marten Falls and Webequie First Nations here: https://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/marten-falls-and-webequie-first-nations-hold-ceremony-to-mark-next-step-in-indigenous-led-development-at-ring-of-fire-877333280.html

Wyloo’s Esker Site is located on the shared traditional territory of Marten Falls First Nation and Webequie First Nation, both signatories to Treaty 9, and whose communities are most proximal to our Eagle’s Nest Project.

As we work and live here, we recognize that we must learn about the rich history of the land to better understand our role as residents, neighbours, partners and caretakers. Wyloo will always endeavour to respect the natural and Indigenous customs and teachings provided by these communities.

The teepee ceremony also coincides with the end of the field season, as we begin carefully securing the site for the months ahead. This includes cleaning and securing the buildings, winterizing the equipment, safely storing fuel and removing food and waste.

These measures ensure that Esker Site remains safe, environmentally sound and ready for future activity. Wyloo will conduct quarterly inspections throughout the off-season to monitor the integrity and conditions of the site.

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:

  • 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 Alina at ashams@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! 

Miigwech 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 Scott

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 Scott

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 Scott

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!