C O M P A N Y O V E R V I E W
Cementation A New Way of Building Mines Canada’s premier mining contractor Cementation is changing the way mine contracting is carried out Written by: Robert Spence
Produced by: Bobby Meehan
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C E M E N TAT I O N
Cementation raise boring team with underground set-up.
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ementation is an underground mine contracting and engineering company that provides an extensive array of services for clients throughout North and South America. Based in Ontario, Canada, the company has a unique structure, one that is well suited for technically challenging projects. “We set out to do something different,” says President of Cementation, Roy Slack. “We wanted to change the way mine contracting is carried out.” The company started by focusing on three key aspects: safety, relationships 4
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and the way it implements contracting. “We wanted this to be an industry with zero harm so we aligned our vision to focus on safety,” says Slack. “Secondly, we wanted to restructure the relationship between us and the clients and avoid adversarial relationships. We really try and understand what the client wants from a project standpoint and we align ourselves with these goals. Lastly, we wanted to change the way contracting is done by providing a true design-build service for Clients. Traditionally, different groups would work on different stages of a project; we wanted to
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establish both continuity and one point accountability through a strong engineering service within our contracting group. “These are the changes we wanted to make.”
corporate values as well as legislated requirements specific to the jurisdictions they work in. Cementation has also developed a risk management protocol. “We’ve developed a system for hazard recognition. The people in Safety our group have a lot of long-term Above all else, Cementation is experience and they’ve the ability to committed to safety. The company recognize hazards,” says Slack. “We recognizes that a safe contractor is wanted to implement that insight more attractive to both employees into this program.” and clients and this aligns with the The program is structured to have company’s goal of being both an project managers coach their teams employer and contractor of choice. on safety precautions and provide “We wanted to be the employer of insight for recognizing potential choice and we’ve worked extremely hazards. The goal is to establish and hard at that,” says Slack. “We support a culture of safety. wanted to align employee goals with “In safety, we talk about structure corporate goals in order to help our and culture. Safety culture is the people succeed. We have a strong mindset of the people: the attitude, training program in and out of office. the respect and the ability to work We believe safety is the right way together,” says Slack. to work and we believe in treating “Structure is also very important; employees with respect. If benefits if it is missing you’re in trouble. come from that, good, but we look at Structure includes a strong it as simply the right way to work.” orientation program, ongoing To maintain the highest level training and evaluation, along with of safety, the company has hazard recognition and detailed implemented training programs work procedures.” developed from its internal w w w. c e m e n t a t i o n . c o m
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C E M E N TAT I O N Relationships Relationships are the lifeblood for contractors. They play a vital piece in keeping clients up-todate with progress and changes in projects as well as occurring repeat business. With that being said, Cementation is focused on maintaining and growing its relationship with clients as well as employees. Along with building quality client and vendor relationships, the company strives to maintain solid employee relationships. Cementation has implemented a wide array of programs for helping
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employees succeed. In Canada, the company has developed and utilized a leadership development program for employees. For this program the company utilizes the Harvard Manager Mentor program for leadership development, a unique e-learning platform that gives employees an opportunity to receive customized programs geared at their specific training requirements. “It’s a computer based training program, but then we establish various forums where the trainees can get together to review and discuss the content,” says Slack. “Another aspect of the program
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C E M E N TAT I O N is Lunch & Learns, where we bring in different departments to present on what they do – it’s sort of like an internal cross-training program. We want everyone to understand what each department is involved in.” Slack adds, “The training program was developed with our employees and supervisors in mind. We enlisted a number of people in the program with a set number of courses to help
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them develop the skills required to succeed.” Along with nurturing quality relationships, Cementation is focused on cultivating meaningful partnerships. The company has developed numerous Aboriginal partnerships across the Canadian landscape to support and develop the Northern communities that those partners live in. Recognized as a “partner of
Cementation raise boring team set-up on surface at AuRico Gold’s Young-Davidson Project near Matachewan, Ontario.
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C E M E N TAT I O N
Inspecting bored shaft at AuRico Gold’s Young-Davidson Mine near Matachewan, Ontario.
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January 2015
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choice” for First Nations and Inuit groups, the company has created opportunities for Aboriginal groups by creating jobs, training and resources to succeed. According to Slack, the ‘New Miner’ program was implemented nine years ago in an effort to introduce new people into the industry, including the First Nations partners. “The program is an excellent tool for extensive training. It includes roughly three months of classroom indoctrination and nine months working on site. Participants are paid the entire time and they’re expected to treat the training as a job, which it is. We’ve had nothing but success with the program.” By staying true to its vision and goals, Cementation has become the mining contractor of choice for both clients and employees. By achieving excellence in safety, performance beyond expectations and quality long-term relationships, the company has provided the mining industry with a different approach to the way mine contracting can be carried out.
Company Information INDUSTRY
Mining HEADQUARTERS
Ontario, Canada FOUNDED
1998 EMPLOYEES
1000
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CEMENTATION 590 Graham Drive North Bay, Ontario, Canada P1B7S1 705-472-3381 www.cementation.com