People

In 2016, the Human Resources team’s focus was recruiting and retraining NWT employees with the skills and experience needed for the ramp-up to commercial production of the Gahcho Kué Mine.

Below: Two haul trucks at work in the 5034 Pit at Gahcho Kué Mine.

The Gahcho Kué Mine Human Resources (HR) team was comprised of an HR Superintendent and two HR Coordinators based at the mine site, supported by HR advisors in the Calgary Operational Support Centre. In 2016, the HR team’s focus was recruiting and retraining NWT employees with the skills and experience needed for the ramp-up to commercial production. NWT applicants were given first priority with all recruitment focused on appointing an NWT resident before any non-NWT resident was considered. As a result of the 2016 employment ramp-up, the De Beers workforce at Gahcho Kué doubled to 348 in December from 174 in December 2015, including employees transferred from other De Beers operations and new hires. Among the new hires, 72 were residents of the Northwest Territories, including 34 Aboriginal residents of the NWT. Advertising for positions was focused on ads placed in NWT News/North and Yellowknifer, an enhanced online presence on the recruitment portal on the De Beers Group website, and posts from the company’s LinkedIn page and Twitter accounts. Newspaper ads included job-specific recruitment posting and general interest ads published between September and December to enhance knowledge of opportunities at the Gahcho Kué Mine.

Job postings were also shared with employment coordinators in communities with which De Beers Canada has Impact Benefit Agreements and through employment officers working for the Government of the Northwest Territories throughout the NWT. The decision to place Snap Lake Mine on care and maintenance in December 2015 had a benefit for Gahcho Kué, with a large number of trained personnel being able to transfer into positions coming open as the mine finished construction and moved into commissioning. Many were from the NWT and could remain in the NWT.

In all, 107 De Beers Snap Lake Mine employees from all the company’s operations transferred to Gahcho Kué. In addition, a number of employees from De Beers Canada’s Victor Mine in Ontario and its operational support centre in Calgary, Alberta also transferred to Gahcho Kué. Of the 107 employees, 20% identified as Aboriginal and about 40% of all Snap Lake employees transferred to Gahcho Kué were NWT residents. See the table on the next page for a full breakdown on employees transferred from Snap Lake Mine to Gahcho Kué Mine. Other former Snap Lake Mine employees were also hired at Gahcho Kué Mine during 2016, but because they left De Beers’ employment before being rehired, determining the exact number was not possible. Gahcho Kué Mine employees are able to access flights to the mine through 10 NWT pickup points: Yellowknife (including residents of Behchoko, Ndilo and Dettah), Lutsel K’e, Hay River, Fort Smith, Whati, Wekweeti, Gameti, Fort Simpson, Norman Wells and Inuvik. Employee flights to the mine were also offered from Edmonton,

De Beers provided $20,500 in scholarships and bursaries to NWT students in 2016.

KIMBERLITE AWARD ($500) TO THE TOP STUDENT AT THE KIMBERLITE CAREER AND TECHNICAL CENTRE:

– Jaida Edjericon DE BEERS-YELLOWKNIVES DENE FIRST NATION SCHOLARSHIP:

– Erica Abel

– Tracy Betsina – Justina Black – Sylvia Charlo – Natisha Drygeese – Pascal Erasmus

– Megan Liske – Tina Liske

– Ashley Sangris-Chapple – Eric Tsetta

– Kelly Tsetta DE BEERS-NORTH SLAVE MÉTIS ALLIANCE SCHOLARSHIP:

– Nicole Enge – Joel Dragon-Smith – Arden D’hont

– Amelia Harmon

– Scott Harmon

Alberta for De Beers and contractor employees required to fill positions that cannot be filled by NWT residents. The wind down of construction also meant a focus on supporting the team working at the mine. This included renovations and updates to the accommodations facility, including a refreshed dining room to help the site feel more like home, developing plans for a cultural centre at site, and providing all employees with their own rooms. The large number of people required for construction meant that some rooms had to be shared by two employees. There was also an investment in improving employees’ ability to connect with families while at the mine. New internet access was provided, and plans launched to develop a microwave link in the second half of 2017 that would more than triple Internet bandwidth.

Building a strong and effective team also meant investing in people. Late in the year, the groundwork was laid for a number of initiatives focused on building De Beers into the operator of choice among Canadian mining companies. Along with introduction of new technology to enhance payroll and employee development/performance management, work began to re-develop the company’s employee value proposition and launch a gender equity and inclusion program during 2017.

EMPLOYEES TRANSFERED TO GAHCHO KUÉ MINE

MANAGEMENT

PROFESSIONAL

SKILLED

SEMI-SKILLED

UNSKILLED

TOTAL

Male Female

– Fully achieved staffing for Gahcho Kué Mine – Successfully transitioned 107 employees displaced by decision to place Snap

Lake Mine on extended care and maintenance

– Recruited diverse workforce for Gahcho Kué Mine with focus on Northern and

Indigenous candidates

The health and well-being of employees working at Gahcho Kué Mine both while on rotation and at home is crucial to the safety and productivity of the mine. While at site, employees find a home away from home outfitted with a fitness facility that features cardio workout and weight equipment, a yoga room and a recreation room with darts, a pool table and more. Satellite television and wireless internet access is available in the employee and guest rooms for personal use and telephones are available in the hallways for employee personal calls. Employees are also encouraged to eat healthy while at site with many nutritious food options available on an exciting menu featuring protein, pasta, a wide variety of vegetable and fruit options, a salad bar and sugar-free baked goods. There is also an ice cream cooler, and fresh-baked cookies, baking and pastries. Up until December, ESS Compass Group held a joint venture agreement with Denesoline Corporation, the business development corporation of the Lutsel K’e Dene First Nation, to provide catering services at Gahcho Kué Mine. ESS regularly promoted nutrition information and other materials such as information on proper serving sizes with posters and information on dining room tables for employees. For business reasons, ESS decided to exit their contract in late 2016.

In December, Bouwa Whee Catering, owned by the Det’on Cho Corporation, entered into a long-term contract to provide catering services at the mine. Bouwa Whee uses informative menus to showcase healthy options, posters and infographics with the same information and strives to produce 90% of products from scratch including making their own stocks for soups and sauces and a variety of baked goods. Gahcho Kué Mine is a dry site with a strict policy for no drug and alcohol use or other influence while on the job. Screening of all luggage coming in to site and random drug/ alcohol testing of employees in safety-sensitive positions is part of the comprehensive safety program at the mine. There is an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) offering personal counselling and other services to employees.

Since 2009, De Beers Canada has recognized excellence through the CEO Award of Excellence. Employees from across the company are nominated by their colleagues in two different categories: Safety, Health & Environment and Business Improvement. In 2016, a number of Gahcho Kué Mine employees were lauded for their dedication to safety and the betterment of De Beers Canada through their displays of teamwork, caring for their colleagues and their willingness to go above and beyond their regular duties. CAROLE BOUCHER, PROTECTIVE SERVICES (SAFETY, HEALTH & ENVIRONMENT) On October 25, 2016 while conducting video feed analysis, Carole observed two operators at the Primary - Jaw Crusher at Gahcho Kué using pry bars to remove material that had become lodged in the primary crusher, a risk which could have resulted in critical injuries or worse. Carole immediately reported the situation, and work was stopped until a new process to dislodge the materials was put in place. JOE ADAMS, SITE SERVICES (BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT) Joe was instrumental in transitioning to the new Camp & Catering contract (Bouwa Whee). The transition of camp catering and janitorial services between Bouwa Whee Catering and ESS Compass Group happened seamlessly and safely over the course of a weekend during the ramp-up to full production. From organizing and leading meetings with BWC operational staff to liaising with BWC leadership and DBC Procurement, Joe has been the foundation of this partnership. WAREHOUSE & LOGISTICS TEAM (BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT) The warehouse and logistics crew assembled and installed pallet racking in the Megadome Warehouse at Gahcho Kué. By doing this within the department, it saved the company a significant amount as well as bringing forward the start date for the warehouse several months ahead of the original contract schedule. While the installation of pallet racking is outside the normal scope of work for the department, it was accomplished with no injuries and no safety concerns.

www.debeersgroup.com/Canada

Internet access is available for all Gahcho Kué Mine employees, but data has always been limited due to the remote location of the site.

Listening to employees’ concerns, De Beers announced in 2016 that it would be implementing personal internet access via Galaxy Pay2Go broadband. The addition of this network allowed employees looking for more data the ability to sign up for 100 MB, 500 MB or 1 GB of data on a monthly basis. While there remained a restriction on streaming video due to bandwidth limitations, this additional option provided employees greater access for their personal internet use at site.

The response from employees was positive and many took advantage of the Pay2Go network, using the extra data to spend more time connecting with their family and friends while on their work rotation. Employees demonstrated their commitment to environmental stewardship during the second annual Tidy Tundra activity. The event drew 37 employees from across almost all departments to clean up any debris that may have accumulated over the winter. Tidy Tundra originated at Snap Lake Mine and was adopted at Gahcho Kué in 2015. Employees volunteered to take part, and were given time during the regular work day to participate. “We had three hours set aside and we were finished in half that time – everyone worked hard for sure!” said Dayna Meredith, Environmental Officer.

At the end of the clean up, all participants were eligible for a draw for prizes that included a helicopter ride, meal vouchers, and De Beers gear.

A major project for De Beers Canada in late 2016 was planning and implementing a new online payroll system for time exception and leave requests. Replacing a paper-based system, De Beers ePay uses Ceridian’s Dayforce HCM to allow employees to go online and create time exception reports and leave requests which would then be submitted directly to their manager for approval, using a secure, confidential website or an application on their personal mobile device.

Transition to the new system began on November 28, 2016 and was fully implemented by the start of 2017. ePay replaced the current payroll system and allowed employees to receive their pay slips directly in their ePay inbox in place of the PDF versions that were emailed out beforehand. The first pay period of 2017, beginning December 26, was issued through ePay as the former system was phased out. This application has made it easier for employees to track their time and requests, resulting in greater accountability and transparency across the company.

The primary focus for the Gahcho Kué Training Department in 2016 was induction training for new employees as the mine worked through the final construction and commissioning phases for most of the year. In addition, employees who wished to transition into a new role for the operations phase also took their training at the training centre.

Left: Marc Coulombe receives Heavy Equipment Operator training from his daughter Abigail Molloy, also an employee at Gahcho Kué Mine.

The training department completed 1,197 training profiles on the mine’s eLearning training tool. Of these 1,197 employees, 530 are still active as many employees and contractor employees remained at the mine for the operations phase. On average, it takes approximately 24 hours over three days for employees to complete their induction training. This translates into 28,728 total hours of induction training in 2016. Not included in these numbers are the additional training sessions the department conducts upon request, including: – Equipment-related training – dozers, haul trucks, graders, shovels, genie lifts, forklifts, site driver permits, pit permits, etc. – Employees – Hot Works Fire Watch, Fall

Protection, Confined Space, First Aid,

Overhead Crane & Rigging, and other skill-related training – Supervisors – Visible Felt Leadership,

Surface Supervisor Level I & II

Certification, etc.

– Emergency Response Team Members – a multitude of training events specific to mine rescue – firefighting, high angle rescue, mine rescue certification, etc. – Ian LeBlanc, a Maintenance

Superintendent in the maintenance department, decided to become a

Condition Maintenance Technician, receiving training in Fall Protection,

Overhead Crane and Rigging, as well as telehandler and forklift training. – Todd Ibey transitioned from his office-based job in Yellowknife as a maintenance planner to working in the warehouse at Gahcho Kué Mine.

Todd required training on specific pieces of equipment including the forklift, front-end loader and crew/ passenger bus. – Phillip Hayden, who worked in the mining department as a heavy equipment operator moved back to his previous role on the drill and blast team as a blaster.

– Carl Isbister, Robert Donahue and

Lorne Roach moved from the mining department where they were working as heavy equipment operators to the

Process Plant in the same roles.

There were also several long and/or short-term contractor employees who, through their display of expertise and proven work ethic, were hired on permanently with De Beers. While there were no trades-based training or apprenticeship programs in 2016 planning is underway for programs in 2017.

Working at De Beers Canada provides an environment where employees are encouraged to grow their skills and explore their abilities. Employees interested in switching to a new role or department undergo a review of their skills and abilities, and complete a Training Needs Analysis to see what training is required for this new opportunity. In most cases employees have already completed the induction training required of all Gahcho Kué Mine employees. In 2016, there were several employees who changed roles or departments, gaining new skills and opening new doors in their professional development. – Marc Coulombe, a Yellowknife resident, began his career in the Protective

Services department where he was a

Supervisor. Marc decided he was interested in becoming a heavy equipment operator, something he had done in previous roles in his life. The decision was made to train Marc on a packer and a haul truck – a Komat’su

HM400. Marc completed all of this training with the training department and through shadowing his colleagues – including his daughter!

De Beers’ Mine Professional in Training Program (MPiT) is making its mark at Gahcho Kué Mine.

So far, 11 individuals have completed the three-year program and moved into permanent positions with De Beers Canada, including positions at Gahcho Kué. The program is open to university graduates in a number of mine-related fields.

Two NWT residents were enrolled in the MPiT program in 2016. Both Aimee Gauthier and Wesley Lines worked at Gahcho Kué during the year – both of whom were profiled in De Beers’ 2015 NWT Socio-Economic Report, which is available on the De Beers Canada website.

Program graduates Juliana Morales and Harashvir Parhar both moved into full-time roles at Gahcho Kué.

Juliana, a geologist who started the program in 2013, said going through the MPiT program gave her the ability to bring a strong and well-rounded background to her role at the mine. “This program is an excellent opportunity to learn about all the different roles and operations as well as to get to know the people that work in them,” she said. “Being able to know your interests before settling into a permanent position is of great value.” Harashvir is a metallurgist at Gahcho Kué who also started the program in 2013. He said the key learning experience he gained from the MPiT program was enhancing technical metallurgical skills required for his current role, and gaining managerial skills within the capacity of acting supervisor and superintendent roles. “The MPiT program is a rigorous learning experience that helps develop your technical, interpersonal and managerial skills,” Harashvir said. “Once I graduated from the program, I felt confident and ready to jump into my next role for the company. Although I am still learning and developing in my career, I felt like the MPiT program gave me a good jump start and accelerated my development to get me where I am today.”

Below: Juliana Morales, a graduate of the MPiT program working at Gahcho Kué Mine, says the program was an excellent learning opportunity. Above: Harash Parhar – works as a metallurgist at Gahcho Kué Mine.

Harashvir Parhar, program graduate

2016 GAHCHO KU É MINE TRAINING

Training

Trades Apprenticeships Professional Development Sponsorships Total

Life of Mine Commitment

16 10 4

30

Water is life. That is the mantra that drove Georges Moukodi into a career as a hydrologist. “I have always wanted to do my part in protecting the environment,” Georges said. He monitors surface water elevation and volumes around the Gahcho Kué Mine and manages water balancing – like an accountant balancing financial spreadsheets, but with water volume data, instead of cash. He joined the Gahcho Kué team in July 2016 and says despite the challenging climate, he enjoys the opportunity to meet people of different origins, and working outside.

Dayna’s first adventure was moving to Yellowknife with her family when she was young. “Growing up in the North, I have always loved the outdoors and spent a lot of time on the land with my Dad,” Dayna said. Inspired by a high school teacher, she completed the Natural Resource Technology program in Fort Smith, NWT and worked at various Northern mines before coming to Gahcho Kué Mine. “The team here is one of the best I’ve had the privilege of working with,” she said. “Our job is constantly changing, and facing new challenges is what pulls us together across all departments.” When she’s not at work Dayna enjoys travelling and playing with Shadow, her German shepherd.

The process plant at Gahcho Kué is a well-designed maze of staircases, ramps, conveyor belts and machinery but Terry Pinske knows it all like the back of his hand. Terry has been working in De Beers Canada’s process plants for 11 years, beginning at Snap Lake Mine as a control room operator. One of the more than 100 Snap Lake employees who transferred to Gahcho Kué in early 2016, he says it’s the team atmosphere, the two-week rotation and the focus on safety culture and safe working decisions which he likes best. “Gahcho Kué is about trouble shooting problems and correcting them, taking on challenges to make the company better and being passionate about seeing the company improve,” Terry said. On his time off, Terry spends much of his time outdoors hiking, quading, enjoying watersports, working out and travelling.

When Trudy Beaulieu first started at Gahcho Kué Mine she drove 40-tonne haul trucks, but the larger 200-tonne trucks always gave her pause. “I always wondered to myself if I could drive one of those big trucks, just to look at it, it kind of looks hard,” she said. Then she jumped into one of the larger trucks with a colleague for training and realized it wasn’t as insurmountable a challenge as she thought. Trudy has been a haul truck driver with De Beers Canada since 2011 at Snap Lake Mine, and joined the Gahcho Kué team in May 2016. She received underground miner training at Aurora College through a six-week course held in her hometown of Behchoko and then took a heavy equipment operator course offered by the NWT Mine Training Society. She said the teamwork and sense of accomplishment is the best part of the job. “Having a good boss and a good crew is like having a big family working together as a team,” Trudy said. “I love driving and the feeling of accomplishing our production targets – knowing the bosses are happy makes me happy at the end of the day. Teamwork gets the job done.”

Challenging and ever-changing work, a family atmosphere and the opportunity for professional growth is what Danny enjoys most about working at Gahcho Kué. “The feeling here is that these people are not just your coworkers, but more of a family – everybody knows everybody in the camp,” Danny said. A blaster helper since 2009, Danny has been at Gahcho Kué for three years and in his time there has advanced his career with the help of his colleagues, and in the summer of 2016 he earned his blaster’s ticket. “I really enjoy my line of work because every day is different,” he said. “We are on the ground moving, measuring hole depth, calculating timing sequence and priming blast holes.”

Andrea Sluggett has seen many facets of the mining industry, from camp administrator to mine rescue, heavy equipment operation and finally to procurement. As Operations Contract Performance Manager Andrea is in charge of looking after and securing contracts to keep Gahcho Kué booming, and has been with De Beers since October 2014. Her wealth of experience and education in mining has all come through on-the-job training and skill building which she gained through working at Northern mine sites. As for Gahcho Kué, what she enjoys most is the people and the challenges. “Each season has diverse challenges that have to be addressed which results in a dynamic, constantly evolving workplace,” Andrea said. When she’s not working she spends time with her family which includes four children, two dogs, a cat and a husband.