Trevali and First Nations Launch Underground Core Mining Training Program in New Brunswick
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Trevali Mining has supported and committed to the recently launched First Nations Underground Core Mining Training Program through the New Brunswick Community College (NBCC) in Miramichi. The program is a partnership between the Aboriginal Workforce Development Initiative (AWDI), the New Brunswick Department of Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour (PETL), and Trevali.
AWDI is under the umbrella of the Joint Economic Development Initiative, an organization that supports Aboriginal economic development and workforce development in New Brunswick.
Twelve people from Elsipogtog, Pabineau, Eel Ground, Esgenoopetitj, Eel River Bar and Metepenagiag were selected and are taking part in the initial 11-week training-to-employment initiative for Trevali’s Halfmile Mine in the Bathurst Mining Camp of northern New Brunswick. Upon successful graduation candidates will be teamed with experienced miners for on the job-training in all aspects of underground mining operations after which they will receive a certificate, thereby creating a new generation of skilled First Nation trades-people to help serve a growing resource industry.
The course at NBCC, which in spite of the rich mining tradition in the Province is the first of its kind to be offered in New Brunswick, will encompass both theoretical and on the job training and will include essential skills training and instruction on occupational health and safety.
The selection process consisted of an interview process of over 140 individuals from which 24 candidates were identified and they went on to essential skills testing where the first class of twelve candidates now in the course was selected.
“The Impact Benefit Agreement signed between the Mi’gmag First Nations in New Brunswick and Trevali will produce numerous ongoing opportunities to the Mi’gmag in the Province of New Brunswick. Trevali has been aggressively seeking First Nation involvement since the exploration phase of the project and is committed to maintaining First Nation involvement, including employment, contracting, and miners training opportunities throughout the life of the Halfmile mine,” said Chief David Peter-Paul from Pabineau First Nation.
“It is with great excitement that we look forward to our First Nation graduates completion of the Miner Training Program and future employment. It is an opportunity that we know our people will excel at. The Chiefs are very appreciative to Trevali for the support, employment and contract opportunities that will continue to be provided to the First Nations people in New Brunswick,” said Terry Richardson, the Mi’gmag Benefits manager.
“The Halfmile mine has job opportunities open to Elsipogtog, Pabineau, Eel Ground, Esgenoopetitj, Eel River Bar and Metepenagiag,” said Alex Dedam, chair of the Aboriginal Workforce Development Initiative (AWDI). “The Aboriginal Workforce Development Initiative has made a significant financial investment in this project, and we look forward to the social, economic and community spin-offs these jobs will bring to employees, their families, and their communities.”
“We are very happy to be partnered in this training initiative with the Mi’gmag First Nations, AWDI and PETL, especially as Trevali has just recently commenced initial production from our Halfmile Mine. Our team has helped to design and successfully implement similar miner training programs in Canada and we look forward to further strengthening our relationship with the Mi’gmag First Nations and broaden the mutual opportunities in the region,” said Mark Cruise president and CEO of Trevali.
About Trevali Mining
Trevali has two advanced-stage polymetallic (zinc-lead-silver-copper) deposits in Canada and Peru - the Halfmile and Santander mine projects respectively. In Canada, Trevali owns the Halfmile Mine and Stratmat polymetallic deposit in the Bathurst Mining Camp of northern New Brunswick, and the past-producing Ruttan copper-zinc mine in northern Manitoba. Production from the Halfmile Mine commenced in early 2012 and will ramp up to a planned production rate of 2,000-tonnes-per-day.
In Peru, the company has the Santander zinc-lead-silver mine project and the former-producing Huampar silver mine, both located in the Central Peruvian Polymetallic Belt. Mine commissioning is anticipated to commence at the Santander operation in mid- 2012 with ramp up to full 2,000-tonne-per-day production to follow shortly thereafter. Additionally through its wholly-owned subsidiary Trevali Renewable Energy. Trevali is undertaking a significant upgrade of its wholly-owned Tingo run-of-river hydroelectric generating facility along with transmission line upgrades and extensions to allow, in addition to supplying power to the mining operation on the property, the potential sale of surplus power into the Peruvian National Energy Grid.
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