Category: Community News

Solar Powered Accommodation Village

Posted on | by Matt Gardan

Our Southern Operations Accommodation Village (SOAV) was built with sustainability at the heart of its design. Partnering with two local Western Australian businesses, Amanda Energy Solutions and Switch Batteries, SOAV was designed with a renewable power solution capable of generating between 80to 100 per cent of its daily power requirements.

The system includes roof-top solar panels and a battery with the ability to be monitored and administered remotely, designed to be scaled and refined over time as the needs of the village change.

Several other design elements have been incorporated into the village to improve energy efficiency and enhance amenity, including:

  • 100 per cent recyclable, high thermal efficiency building panels.
  • Energy efficient double glazing on all buildings.
  • Inverter air conditioners.
  • LED lighting throughout the entire village, eliminating “dark spots”.
  • Deliberate selection of appliances based on energy rating.
  • Energy efficient, 2.2metreverandas on all buildings.
  • Smart design potable water system.
  • Local, high-quality catering.

Not only does the village represented a step-change in our employee experience, but it has also eliminated the need for our people to travel a daily round trip of 120kilometres to our Northern Operations accommodation village, supporting greater overall wellbeing, health and safety.

Inclusion and Diversity at Kambalda

Posted on | by Matt Gardan

Supporting our workforce to be diverse, inclusive and flexible is an important goal at our Kambalda operations. We are proud to have achieved a well above industry average of 33per cent female participation in our workforce and 39 percent female representation at a Board and Executive Management level in FY22. We have also worked to close the gender pay gap, implementing rigorous remuneration frameworks to assess and reward individuals in like-for-like positions based on merit, not gender.

The Covid-19 pandemic also highlighted more than ever our need to adopt flexible work practices across our organisation, including site-based roles where it was safe and possible to do so. The use of technology, particularly video-based software was crucial in keeping our workforce visually connected during the pandemic, as were the regular health and wellbeing checks on the team by management.These practices carry on today, enabling employees to perform their roles from home when they need and are able to.

While flexible work arrangements are not always achievable for our site-based employees, we have developed a state-of-the-art Southern Operations Accommodation Village to support employees to reduce their travel time to and from site, lessening employee fatigue both at work and when they return home to their families.

Reducing Carbon 

Posted on | by Matt Gardan

How carbon traps heat from the sun in the atmosphere

Many companies are talking about reducing carbon footprints and achieving net zero emissions, but what exactly does the term ‘net zero’ mean?

Net zero means achieving a balance between the carbon released into the atmosphere and the carbon removed from it. Net zero occurs when the amount of carbon we add to the atmosphere is no more than the amount removed. This can be achieved through a combination of emission reduction and emission removal.

The carbon we are referring to is carbon dioxide or CO2, which is made up of one atom of carbon and two atoms of oxygen. Carbon dioxide is released when humans or animals exhale and when materials are burned or decomposed. CO2 is beneficial because plants use it during photosynthesis to make food.

The emission of CO2 and consumption of CO2 is called the carbon cycle. When more CO2 is emitted than consumed, it results in a change in the earth’s atmosphere: the more CO2, the more heat is retained through a phenomenon called the ‘greenhouse effect’ resulting in increasing temperatures and climate change. Climate change causes fluctuations in weather patterns such as storms, wildfires, and droughts which affect people, plants and animals’ ability to thrive.

Electric vehicle charging

In 2021, Canada’s largest carbon footprint sources were the oil and gas sector (28%) and the transportation sector (22%). So, how can we reduce carbon emissions?

One big step is moving away from internal combustion engines that use and burn gasoline to power vehicles and replacing them with electric vehicles (EVs). This would reduce our reliance on the oil and gas sector and the number of vehicles emitting CO2.

As part of Canada’s climate plans and targets, the federal government has laid out a roadmap to reduce emissions and achieve net zero emissions by 2050. As part of this plan, automakers will be required to sell only zero-emission vehicles in Canada: at least 20% of zero-emission vehicles by 2026, 60% percent by 2030, and 100% by 2035.

Our Eagle’s Nest Project contains the high-grade nickel needed for the batteries that go into EVs. There are multiple EV battery factories planned to be built in Canada over the next few years and we have an opportunity to create a local supply of nickel for use in these batteries mined sustainably in partnership with local communities. We are also looking into implementing sustainable and electric technologies at our mine site to further reduce CO2 emissions as we aim to be a net zero operation.

Nicola Forrest Visits Canada 

Posted on | by Matt Gardan

Nicola Forrest at Esker Site

In August, Nicola Forrest AO, Tattarang Director and Co-Chair of the Minderoo Foundation, travelled from Australia to visit our sites and the communities of Webequie and Marten Falls First Nations.

Wyloo is a company in the Tattarang portfolio and we are thankful to have hosted Nicola for her first visit to Canada.

It was an exciting time to exchange stories and knowledge and to show the work we are doing at Esker Site and our Eagle’s Nest Project.

Special thanks to the communities of Webequie and Marten Falls who graciously welcomed our team with their hospitality and delicious feasts! We ate bannock, fried fish, and moose stew.

“Nicola’s visit to the Ring of Fire reinforced her commitment to supporting us in the sustainable development of the Eagle’s Nest Project, in collaboration with local communities. It was a great opportunity for our team to showcase the progress we’ve made. She was so engaging with our teams and local community members and we look forward to welcoming her back again.”
– Wyloo Canada CEO, Kristan Straub

Protecting the Peatlands 

Posted on | by Matt Gardan

Peat moss

The region we work in contains areas of swampy terrain, which is characterized by a material called peat. Peat plays a significant role in climate change, so it is important that we carry out development in a responsible way to protect the peatlands.

What is peat?

Peat is soil that builds up in wet environments and is made of partly decomposed moss, leaves, trees, plants and lichen. These wet environments do not contain oxygen so decomposers such as bacteria, insects and fungi cannot survive, which prevent the plant material from fully decomposing. This material accumulates over many years: as new peat is formed, older peat gets pushed down deeper to create a thick layer of peat.

Why is peat important?

Peatlands store vast amounts of carbon. Given that the plant material trapped by peat does not decompose, it does not release carbon dioxide (CO2). Instead, the peat traps the carbon, preventing it from being released into the environment. Read our story on Reducing Carbon and the affects carbon has on the climate.

Peatlands are also an important habitat for caribou, birds, and other mammals. Reindeer moss, a lichen that grows in the peatlands, serves as a food source for caribou.

What are we doing to protect the peat?

We actively protect the peat by minimizing disturbance during our exploration programs and other site activities. We use indirect methods such as electromagnetic and magnetic testing for metals, which do not disturb the peat.

Exploration drilling takes place either in the winter when the ground is frozen or in the summer when we build log platforms that sit on top of the peat. When our drilling programs are complete, we leave the site clean and free to return to its natural state or rehabilitate certain areas by planting trees where there is insufficient growth.

For our Eagle’s Nest Project, the current design covers a small surface footprint of around one square kilometre planned mostly on esker rather than on peat. Ore will be extracted underground and we will also be one of the first mines to store 100% of our tailings completely underground. This will minimize our impact on the environment and to the surrounding peat.

We are constantly looking for ways to advance responsible development and will continue to implement industry-leading processes and technologies for the sustainable development of our mine.

Replanting vegetation on drill pads

We are now Wyloo!

Posted on | by Matt Gardan

Eagle’s Nest Project Esker Site, Northern Ontario

Same company, new name

We are excited to announce that our name has changed from Ring of Fire Metals to Wyloo. 

Earlier this year, our parent company Wyloo Metals acquired a nickel producer in Australia, Mincor Resources. Following this acquisition, the decision was made to unify all three companies – Wyloo Metals, Mincor Resources and Ring of Fire Metals – under the name Wyloo.

While our name has changed, we remain the same team here in Canada, with the same priorities and commitments: to develop the Eagle’s Nest Project sustainably in partnership with local communities.

As a unified company, our portfolio now includes two nickel mine operations in the Kambalda region of Western Australia: the Cassini mine and Northern Operations. There are around 300 employees who work at our Kambalda sites and we are happy to welcome our Australian teammates to the Wyloo family as we grow on a global scale!

Kambalda Southern Operations Accommodation Village, Western Australia

Kambalda Cassini Mine, Western Australia

We will draw upon the experience, resources and knowledge gained from our operations in Australia as we progress with development of our Eagle’s Nest Project. Importantly, we are building this project with First Nation communities through a co-leadership approach by forming genuine partnerships and mutual collaboration. Our commitment is to provide training and employment and award $100 million in contracts to Indigenous-led businesses as we move forward with development in the region.

As we continue to run programs at our Esker Site, which sits on top of our Eagle’s Nest deposit, be sure to connect with our team if you have any questions or would like more information on the work we are doing in the region.

CONTACT US:
info@wyloorof.com

807-285-4808, Toll Free: 1-855-966-7668

Employee Spotlight

Posted on | by Alany Chan

Name: Lindberg Baxter
Community: Marten Falls/Fort Albany
Job Position: Field Assistant

WHAT DOES A TYPICAL DAY IN YOUR ROLE LOOK LIKE?

It depends on the season or what programs we have planned. My tasks can include line cutting, geophysics survey work, moving core, packing trails, or cleaning up site.

WHAT IS IT LIKE WORKING AT ESKER?

It’s a blast!  We work with fun people – we’re basically family. We’re always laughing and having a good time while working hard. Also, freezing and roasting depending on the time of year.

HOW IS WORKING 2 WEEKS ON + 2 WEEKS OFF?

It’s good! You get used to people cooking for you so when you go home you don’t want to cook. It teaches you how to manage your time when you’re at home. Sometimes it’s hard because you miss out on things back home, but the work is rewarding.

WHAT IS ONE THING YOU’VE LEARNED SINCE STARTING WORK AT ROF METALS?

I’ve learned that I like to work hard and see my completed work after I’m done. I find value in working hard – it’s fun and I’ve learned to enjoy working with people and by myself. It’s grounding.

This job has changed my life – I’ve learned how to be responsible, independent and how to be myself. Also, that you sweat A LOT haha.

WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE ESKER MEAL?

It’s a tie between Cory’s ribs with mashed potatoes, gravy, fries and broccoli with cheese or his cream cheese chicken and rice.

What’s Happening at Esker?

Posted on | by Alany Chan

In July and August, we’re focusing on organizing and maintaining our site, as well as restoring old drill pads.

An assessment is underway for a tree planting program on old drill pads from historic drilling of the Blackbird deposit. We are ensuring that the drill pads are regrowing local vegetation such as spruce and tamarack.

Analysis completed by a forester has shown that because the pads are small, the vegetation is regenerating naturally. On some pads where we find insufficient regrowth, our team will be planting trees.

Given Esker has been operational since around 2008 with Noront and other companies, there is some scrap equipment that needs to be removed. One of our initiatives is to organize and complete removal of the scrap equipment that has accumulated over the years. It’s important to us that Esker is safe and tidy, and that we minimize disturbance to the environment.

We hope to have the waste material ready to go by the end of August for the backhaul in the winter. We ship out waste on a Basler plane from the ice strip near Esker (a frozen lake called Koper) to Pickle Lake where it is taken to a registered waste facility to be properly disposed of.

Our Esker team also recently received training on forest fire suppression. The training provides our team with the skills required to deal with forest fire situations. We look forward to a great (and hopefully, not too hot) summer season at Esker!

We Want to Meet You!

Posted on | by Alany Chan

We at Ring of Fire Metals love talking to and getting to know you. We are committed to keeping you informed and our favourite way to do that is by visiting you in your community.

A typical community visit will involve Ryan Tuomi (Community Engagement Manager) and Scott Jacob (Community Relations Manager), who are often joined by others, like Stephen Crozier (VP, Sustainability) and Glenn Nolan (VP, Indigenous Enterprises). We will bring a presentation and lots of maps and images showing what our deposits, mine plan and Esker Site look like. We can also tailor our visit to the needs and interests of your community.

If you are interested in a community visit, please reach out – our lines are always open! You can call or email us with any questions you have. Also, you can request information and materials for your community, such as maps and information sheets.

Ryan and Scott can be reached by email at rtuomi@rofmetals.com and sjacob@rofmetals.com or phone at 807-285-4808. We can also set up a video call to have a virtual chat!

Northern Road Link ToR approval

Posted on | by Alany Chan

Congratulations to Marten Falls and Webequie First Nations on the approval of their Environmental Assessment (EA) Terms of Reference (ToR) for the Northern Road Link (NRL) project. This road project is the third and final road proposed to access the Ring of Fire (RoF) and was approved by the Ontario Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change on March 6, 2023.

In 2020, Marten Falls and Webequie, along with the Ontario government, announced an agreement to move forward with planning and development of the NRL. The proposed new road will link the Marten Falls Community Access Road to the Webequie Supply Road, completing a new network of infrastructure from Aroland First Nation to Webequie and including the RoF mineral deposits.

The ToR is essentially Marten Falls and Webequie’s work plan for what is going to be studied during the preparation of an EA. An EA is a study which assesses the potential environmental effects (positive or negative) of the proposed road. Key components of an environmental assessment include consultation with First Nations, government agencies and the public; consideration and evaluation of alternatives; and the management of potential environmental effects.

Chief Bruce Achneepineskum said: “On behalf of Marten Falls, I am pleased to move forward with NRL ToR approval and the start of the Environmental Assessment! It is important as our young people and members are relying on us leaders to provide employment and training opportunities but also a sustainable economic base for our communities!”

For links to the three road project’s webpages, go to: www.rofmetals.com/projects/community-infrastructure-corridor

By Ryan Tuomi, Manager, Community Engagement