Mining in the Elk Valley
A Special Supplement to
May 10, 2018
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A Lifetime Together in Mining and Marriage Submitted Teck
M
uch has changed in the mining industry over the past 30 years, but for two Teck employees in the Elk Valley, B.C., the one constant has been each other. On February 21, 2018, Dean and Glenda Hewitt officially retired, saying goodbye to their careers and hello to the next phase of their lives, after a combined 68 years in mining. “We came in the door together, and we’re walking out the door together,” says Dean, formerly Superintendent, Materials Operations at Elkview and Line Creek Operations. The couple has been together for 36 years, married for 32, and they have two beautiful daughters and three grandchildren. “Now we’re going to do what we want when we want—that’s my retirement motto,” adds Glenda, whose final role was Finance Administrative Assistant at the Mountain View office. The two first came across the country to B.C. from Eastern Canada in the early 1980s, looking for work in mining. It was a natural choice for the two 20-somethings, both of whom had parents working in the industry. “Before that, though, the longest job I held was for 15 months, and now I’ve been with this company for 34 years; it’s all I really know,” says Dean. Over the years, Dean has worked at all of Teck’s steelmaking coal operations in Tumbler Ridge, Hinton and the Elk Valley in a variety of positions, starting as a warehouse worker before moving into a buyer role, and eventually into his last position with the company. Glenda also began in the warehouse, moving to an Executive Assistant role and eventually to her final role in Sparwood. They were always fulfilled by their work, which has helped them achieve their ultimate goal of retiring at 55. As for the coming years, the Hewitts already have big travel plans in the works— including a trip to Mexico, with much more expected to follow in the future as they set their sights on Australia, Alaska and the many regions of Canada they have yet to visit. “People say it takes about a year to settle into retirement; our next couple of years are pretty busy. Keep in mind that we have three grandchildren,” says Dean.
Photo: Teck
As for what they would say to current or prospective employees about their time with the company, Glenda has this message: “We’re grateful for all our years at Teck, which afforded us a quality lifestyle that we were able to balance with our family life. The company has been nothing short of awesome to us.”
Celebrating B.C. Mining Month May 2018 Teck is proud to recognize the skills and dedication of our employees, contractors and suppliers during B.C. Mining Month. Thank you for your valuable contribution to the mining industry in B.C. Contact Sparwood Chamber of Commerce for local activities, including mine tours (May 14–17), mining luncheon (May 10) and community barbecue (May 30). Call 250.425.2423 or visit bcminingmonth.ca
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THE PEOPLE OF MICHEL-NATAL
Women’s Role
computers, stereos, and other distractions that we enjoy today, these club-organized events provided a great deal of excitement amongst local citizens, who very much looked forward to any opportunity they could get to leave the house and socialize. The relatively small size of the two towns made it far easier (and cheaper) to orchestrate such events for quite literally any resident who wished to attend.
Women in the Community
Ladies’ Clubs Ladies clubs were immensely popular with not just housewives but also working women who enjoyed the opportunity to get together with their peers and help out the community. The more prominent women’s clubs in the area were usually closely affiliated with the churches in the community, but many, like the Rebbekha’s, existed independently. Their function was identical to the men’s organizations and their contributions equally beneficial to the citizens of Michel-Natal. Women by investing their energy, interests, and skills helped transform Michel-Natal into thriving, multifaceted communities. Some would say it was a survival instinct that aroused in women the need to offset the stress of mining life with a feeling of community spirit. Typically, women’s subtle and not-so-subtle contributions have gone unmarked. Indeed, their varied roles, from supporting the men in the mine, to working as employees at the various jobs and businesses that kept the twin communities running, were not undertaken for recognition but for the sake of creating a home and a community. This section is a tribute to the many women who called Michel-Natal home between 1897-1971. Women made a variety of contributions to MichelNatal. Oftentimes the leaders in encouraging community spirit in the area, the women of Michel-Natal were instrumental in organizing parades, bazaars, and spaghetti dinners. Even during difficult times, such as a funeral or a mine disaster, the women of the community banded together to make meals for the mine rescuers or grieving families.
Women in the Home Women were instrumental in maintaining the households, particularly with the constant entrance of dust, soot, and smoke into the houses. Situated within a narrow valley, Michel-Natal sat between two mountains which were each being actively mined first by the Crowsnest Pass Coal Company, and later Kaiser Resources. Though Michel-Natal homes faced a never-ending barrage of dust and soot, citizens literally took pride in having immaculately clean homes on the inside. Living in such a dirty environment, the women of Michel-Natal took extra pride in maintaining a high degree of cleanliness in their homes and buildings. The Michel-Hospital in particular had a very popular reputation as being
a spotless, pristine interior. The nurses, matrons, and cleaning staff of the Michel Hospital were constantly commended for keeping the dirt out.
Clubs
Clubs in the Community
Changing Times
The various clubs and organizations of Michel and Natal played an influential role in promoting community spirit. A major function of the clubs and organizations was to organize various social events for the community to participate in. Local clubs or organizations almost always organized bingos, spaghetti suppers, picnics, bazaars, and dances. The lodges in particular were quite instrumental in assisting various sports leagues in the area, often helping organize minor league baseball or soccer tournaments. The Italian Lodge in particular held bimonthly and annual picnics that proved to be highly entertaining, with events like bocci and horseshoe tournaments being the main attractions. Without TVs,
Unfortunately, many of the clubs and organizations of Michel-Natal disappeared with the relocation of the twin communities to Sparwood in the late 1960s. Sadly, some of the oldest clubs in the area, such as the Buffaloes and the Oddfellows, were disbanded at the time of the move and never re-established. Part of the problem was that many citizens spent the early part of the 1970s building their new homes and lives in the suddenly booming Sparwood region, while other former club members left the Elk Valley region altogether. Further compounding the problem was a large influx of new workers and their families who immigrated into the area, thereby taking away the close-knit familiarity that Michel-Natal residents felt towards one another. Not all of Michel-Natal’s clubs died with the two towns - the Eagles, founded in Michel in 1909, remain an active part of Sparwood today. Many of the ladies clubs, such as the Catholic Women’s League and the Mount Carmel Society still meet regularly, organizing bazaars, bake sales, and craft fairs. Photos and information courtesy of Fernie and District Historical Society
City Hall 501-3rd Ave., Box 190 Fernie, BC V0B 1M0 www.fernie.ca
Celebrating our mining heritage The City recognizes the support that the mining industry provides to our community.
The Heart of the Wild
The District of Elkford is proud to support mining in the Elk Valley. For mine tour information: 1.855.877.WILD www.elkford.ca
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Mining New Ideas at the Unearthed Hackathon Hackathons have long been used in the software industry to bring together innovators and create new products in a short amount of time. More recently, the hackathon method has gained traction in the mining industry as a way to gather technical experts and tackle challenges in an era of big data. Unearthed Hackathon participants tackle a challenge.
Photo: Teck Submitted Teck
In October 2017, students, programmers and mining experts came together in Vancouver, B.C., for 48 hours to create solutions to challenges facing miners like Teck at the Unearthed Hackathon. A team of Teck employees from across their operations, including Allyson Stoll, a Metallurgist from Red Dog Operations and Dave Harrington, a Senior Technical Analyst, Line Creek Operations, provided expert mining industry guidance for participants. “There is a whole world of data analysis that opened up to me as an engineer, thanks to the Hackathon,” says Allyson. “I’m in the process of learning to code so I can help implement these types of changes at site.” Dave supported a challenge at the event that focused on optimizing the haul cycle
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of each truck. Thanks to dozens of sensors on haul trucks, Dave and his team are able to create a model to determine the best route and speed for each driver. However, the problem was how to display the data to drivers in real time in a safe and understandable way. “Haul trucks carry up to 400 tonnes of material per cycle, so getting performance right can have big benefits for efficiency and cost reduction,” says Dave. “We have the data, but it was through the Hackathon that we began to unlock its potential.” Teck’s participation in the Hackathon is one of the many ways they are focused on building a culture of innovation and technology across their sites. Moving forward, Teck is evaluating the winning project ideas and looking for opportunities to implement these innovations.
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Don’t Forget to Sign Up for the Teck Mine Tours: Monday, May 14th – Elkview Operations Tuesday, May 15th – Greenhills Operations Wednesday, May 16th – Fording Operations Thursday, May 17th – Line Creek Operations A bus will pick up participants and depart at 09:30 from both the Fernie Chamber of Commerce and the Blairmore Mall in the Crowsnest Pass. They will connect at the Sparwood Chamber of Commerce, gather local participants, and depart at 10:30 for the designated site.
Other Mining Month Events include: Thursday, May 10th – BC Mining Luncheon
11:30 am, Causeway Bay, contact Sparwood Chamber for more information.
Friday, May 30th – Free Mining Month BBQ 12:00 pm, Titan Park
980E-4 The Komatsu 980E-4 offers a 400 short ton payload mining truck with the durability and reliability found in all of our electric drive trucks. With a power Komatsu SSDA18V170 engine, exclusive General Electric drive, simple and efficient hydraulic system and robust box section frame, the 980E-4 carries on the tradition of Komatsu as a leader in the ultra-class mining truck market. With available features like Komatsu Smart Rims, KomVision allaround monitoring system, ergonomic operators cab and convenience center located near the entrance to the truck, the 980E-4 sets the standard for quality in its class
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A Brief History of Mining in the Elk Valley
The vast reserves of coal in the area have been recorded since at least the mid-1800s when Europeans first came through the valley, however not much would be done with them until the end of the 19th century. The foundations for the formation of coal in our region began over 130 million years ago when the East Kootenays were nothing but an area of marshy swamps on a small coastal peninsula next to a shallow inland sea. The vegetation and supporting conditions would eventually lead to the coalfields that have supported our communities in the valley since day one. In the 1860s, there was a small gold rush on Wild Horse Creek near present-day Cranbrook, BC. Prospectors who came to the region grew disappointed the further and further east they explored, finding nothing but loads of coal, literally falling out of the creek and river beds. Little did they know at the time, coal mining in the area would become a much more profitable endeavour than gold by the end of the century. In 1887, William Fernie and a few others incorporated the Crow’s Nest Coal and Mineral Company to begin development on the coal fields in the area. By 1896, with local and federal support, they had already acquired 250 000 acres of coal lands and
a provincial railway charter allowing construction of a line from the Elk Valley to the mines and smelters of the West Kootenays. The first shacks went up on Coal Creek in mid-1897 and mining began later that year with 20 experienced miners brought in from Cape Breton. By the end of the next year, the rail line would be completed and the second influx of people to the East Kootenays would begin. Coal Creek and Fernie would be the first mining towns to settle and develop, quickly followed by Michel, Morrissey, Natal, Hosmer, and Corbin. The Morrissey and Hosmer mines didn’t operate for long, but the mines surrounding Michel-Natal and Corbin are going strong to this day. Our coal is a bituminous coal and produces very little ash when burned. It was used to generate steam in locomotives for the Canadian Pacific and the Great Northern Railways, power plants, for machinery in various industries, and also domestic use. Coal would also be turned into coke for use in various smelters
around North America. Today our coal is dried at the mines (not coked) and the majority sent to Asia to be used in steelmaking. The mines, and the good wages, have attracted workers and their families from all over the world. However, along with these new opportunities, hardship also followed. Regardless of the safety measures put in place (lamps to detect excess methane gas, the timbering and pillars left in the seams to support the roof and loose rock, fans to remove excess gas, and the rules and regulations), the mines could still be a very dangerous place. Over the past 121 years of mining in the area, there have been over 500 deaths in the mines. The majority occurred while mining was mainly underground, however accidents do still happen today. Because of this danger, mine rescue and training have always been a very important part of the mines in the valley, and those involved have always been very highly regarded and respected. When an explosion or bump occurred in the underground mines, the community would gather
Photos and information courtesy of Fernie and District Historical Society
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at the foot of the hill with their friends, families, and neighbours to wait for their loved ones to come out. Part of the reason our communities are so close-knit here is because of these events. You didn’t know if it was going to be your father, brother or uncle who would be one of the lucky to come out of that mine alive, or if it would be your neighbours loved one who wouldn’t. What kind of feeling that must have been to be so happy that yours made it out alive, and at the same time feel so bad for your neighbour who lost theirs. It was a constant fear in the communities, but everyone always looked after each other. Mining has slowly transitioned throughout the years from the smaller cold, damp, and dangerous underground operations with mostly manual labour, to safer, larger, and mainly mechanized open pit operations. In 1968, Kaiser Resources purchased the mining rights from the Crow’s Nest Pass Coal Company and began open pit mining in the area. Coal production/ demand varied over the years, and eventually the last underground mine in the valley, Balmer North, closed in 1986. Today, the five mines in operation (Fording River, Greenhills, Line Creek, Elkview, and Coal Mountain) are owned by Teck Resources and all openpit. Operations have become significantly safer since mining first began here, and much more environmentally conscious. Since the beginning, the coal mines have been the main industry which keeps the economy of the valley alive, and also helps support the growth in other industries which followed. The towns of the Elk Valley would be a lot different today - if they existed at all - if the mines had never opened.
Thursday, May 10, 2018 Page B7
Celebrating Mining History Photos and information courtesy of Fernie and District Historical Society
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Remote Dozer puts Operators in High-Tech Driver’s Seat Coal Mountain Operations uses new technology to support safe production. Submitted Teck
C
orey Fowler was never a gamer, but when the Coal Mountain shovel operator had the opportunity to operate Teck’s firstever remote controlled dozer, it was an opportunity he was not going to pass up. “When we started talking about the possibility of using a remote dozer, I’d never heard of anything like that before,” said Corey. “I said, ‘I’m not a gamer, but I’ll try anything once.’ ’’
The Challenge
The idea for a remote controlled dozer at Coal Mountain first came up as a potential solution to a geotechnical hazard in one of the pits. A buttress had been constructed to prevent further collapse at a wedge failure on one of the high-walls, but the problem was that crews could no longer safely access coal underneath.
“We put in a buttress at the toe of the wedge failure, but that eliminated any way we could get the coal out,” explains Ben David, Senior Engineer, Mining, Coal Mountain. “And removing the buttress to access that coal would create a situation we weren’t going to put an operator in.” So, Coal Mountain’s engineering team went to work investigating ways they could send a dozer into the pit without putting anyone in harm’s way. Working closely with teams from Finning and Caterpillar, by February 2017 they had received all the parts to make the remote dozer a reality. By working collaboratively with the Ministry of Energy and Mines, Coal Mountain was then able to get the necessary permits and approvals, and within a few weeks were ready to test the technology.
How It Works
Crews opted to use an older shovel cab to set up the operator’s station because it was large enough to house the required monitors, high enough to get a clear view
141A Aspen, Sparwood, BC V0B 2G0 (250) 425-2423 http://sparwoodchamber.bc.ca/
Celebrating Mining in The Elk Valley Mining Month BBQ Wednesday, May 30th 12pm in Titan Park.
Coal mine tours running from May 14th to 17th
Please call Chamber to sign up for free tours.
Photo: Teck
of the dozer, and safe and comfortable for the operator. The dozer itself has four cameras attached to it. In the shovel cab, the operator has a 42-inch screen with quadrants displaying all four camera views – both front corners, over blade and a reverse view. A second 42-inch screen has access to two overhead pit cameras, installed at the top of pit highwalls. A smaller laptop screen shows the remote dozer’s Carlson Grade software, which displays cut/fill and position information and gives the operator real-time feedback to help achieve the proper grade. Finally, there’s the remote control itself, which sits on the operator’s lap and has smaller joysticks to move the dozer. Built-in sensors shut the dozer down if it gets onto too steep a grade, allowing the operator to back out and prevent the equipment from getting into a precarious position. “The first time I used it, I was a little nervous,” admits Corey. “When you run a dozer, everything is by feel and this is not by feel. It’s all with your eyes, and you only have little joysticks now, compared to a dozer where the joysticks are much bigger.”
Benefitting Safe Production
By summer, crews had trained two operators and put the remote dozer into action. “This is the first time in B.C. that the remote dozer has been used in a production setting and we are doing something that a year ago we didn’t think was possible,” says Ben. “We can now get coal from areas we never would have been able to access before and have safe production.” Ben says that the success of the remote dozer has the potential to revolutionize the way the industry looks at mining from the pit bottom. As for operator Corey, he’s excited to work for a company that embraces technology and challenges his skills as an operator. “Teck is looking to the future and the technology that is out there. In my mind, if we can make this work, we can make anything work,” he says, admitting that he never thought he’d be using such innovative technology. “And I guess you can call me a gamer now.”
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Mining the Backbone of the Economy
Mary Giuliano Mayor, City of Fernie
M
ay is BC Mining month, this is a way to recognize how very important mining is to Canada’s economy as this industry provides job opportunities not only at the mine sites but also in the many associated industries and businesses, as for every mining job there are two or more indirect jobs created in the supply sector. Here in the Elk Valley mining has been a staple for over 150 years and is still considered to be the backbone of the local economy. It was
first noticed in 1845 by a Jesuit priest and that were producing coal. Not long then discovered by Michael Phillips, who after Corbin Coal was also added by an had travelled throughout the Crowsnest American. Unfortunately, Morrissey and Pass and noticed exposed coal seams. He Hosmer were closed during the first World formed a partnership with William Fernie War with Corbin closing during the Great and Colonel James Baker that led to the Depression and its rail line sold in 1938. formation of the Crowsnest Pass Coal As you can read from the above brief Company and the building of an office in history coal mining has been what has Fernie that now serves as the City Hall. supported this area and the B.C. economy It was this group for decades. The that helped to bring _____________________________________ question what the railroad from “Here in the Elk Valley mining does mining Lethbridge through mean to this area the Crowsnest Pass has been a staple for over 150 is often asked and to Fernie. and the response years and is still considered to William Fernie is that mining be the backbone of the local also brought in sustains the miners from Cape economy here and economy.” Breton to start the keeps the towns ~ Mary Giuliano first mine at Coal alive. Mining _____________________________________ offers the wages Creek in 1897 in anticipation of that allows a the railroad. Coal person to build a Creek was a thriving community until home and support a family. Mining offers 1957 when the town was dismantled. the workers a living wage plus the ability The new mining company grew quickly to have the extras that other lesser wage and in 1901 built mines at Michel and jobs don’t necessarily provide. Someone Natal and also in Morrissey. By 1904, who works in mining can enjoy a lifestyle 1188 coke ovens were built and coking that is more than comfortable. Despite the coal had a strong market in Trail and the hardship of 12 hour shifts and travel times bordering US States. By 1906 CPR had of up to three hours in some instances built its own mine at Hosmer boasting to get from home to workplace, mining 240 coke ovens. In 1908 there were four in the Elk Valley still provides a good underground mines in the Elk Valley standard of living. Mining isn’t without
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its detractors though, there is concern regarding the selenium issue in water as well as opposition to coal being shipped from ports at the coast. It’s interesting that while one in five workers are from the Kootenays one in five is from other areas of B.C. that oppose coal extraction and shipments. More information needs to be put out to educate people on the merits of coal especially the metallurgical coal produced in the Elk Valley that is required to build steel. As long as society has a need for steel for buildings, cars and other items there will be a need for this kind of coal. B.C. governments have long enjoyed the substantial taxation that comes from the production of coal from this small corner of the province with those dollars contributing much to other areas of the province so the benefit of mining in the Elk Valley is carried through to many other places in this province. The Sparwood Chamber holds an annual luncheon to celebrate Mining Month, this year Teck and MLA Tom Shypitka are presenters to the many attendees that include local elected officials. Mining is one of the provinces largest and oldest industries and should be recognized and celebrated. Congratulations to Teck and thank you for providing employment to the many people in this Valley and in this province.
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A New Era of Health Care Teck Acute Care Centre Opens at BC Children’s Hospital Teck Acute Care Centre Facts • Features 231 single-patient rooms, providing more privacy to patients • All 640,000 square feet of the new building were designed in extraordinary detail—with input from clinical staff, medical experts, families and patients themselves
Photos: Teck
A
new era of child health care has begun at the new Teck Acute Care Centre at BC Children’s Hospital, which opened its doors to patients on October 29, 2017. Features of the new Teck Acute Care Centre include 231 private patient rooms, a haematology/oncology department, a paediatric intensive care unit, and much more. “We want to recognize the Provincial Health Services Authority and the Government of British Columbia for having built an extraordinary facility that will transform child health care in B.C.,” said Don Lindsay, President and CEO. “We also want to acknowledge the generous support from over 80,000 British Columbians who supported the Campaign for B.C. Children. Teck and its employees across B.C. are incredibly proud to have played a role in making this new hospital a reality.
Teck History with BCCH BC Children’s Hospital provides expert health care for the most seriously ill or injured children from across B.C. and the Yukon, as well as hosting the province’s leading teaching and research facility for child health. Due to aging infrastructure and a lack of space in the hospital, which opened in 1982, a new space was needed to treat today’s more complex illnesses. As fundraising began for a new hospital, Teck stepped forward in 2008 with a $25 million donation to support the construction of a new children’s hospital. In addition, employees across Teck fundraised for BC Children’s Hospital through initiatives such as the annual Mining for Miracles campaign.
• Every patient room has windows that let in daylight and have views to the outside • Patients and families have access to kitchenettes, laundry facilities, family lounges, play areas, resource rooms and storage space • The Teck Acute Care Centre meets Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold certification, ensuring environmental, social and economic sustainability • Each year, more than 86,000 kids come to BC Children’s Hospital from across the province for diagnosis, treatment and care
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MINING THE COAL Mine Rescue Then & Now
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Mine Rescue Teams
Because the mines could be so dangerous, mine rescue teams were trained at the mines. These men took courses in techniques for entering mines following explosions, caveins or other accidents. Each mine rescue team member was normally equipped with special breathing apparatus and other safety gear. Mine rescue teams became highly proficient in their work and took great pride in their skills. It was highly dangerous work because they could never be sure if there would be other explosions or cave-ins after they entered a mine. There might be pockets of poisonous gases that could kill them in minutes. Many miners owed their lives to the swift work and fearless response of the mine rescue teams.
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Mine Rescue Competitions Mine rescue teams trained and practiced to make sure they were in top form in the event of an accident. Teams from different mines and different working shifts competed for championships and trophies. The rescue teams were held in high esteem by their fellow miners and the people of the mining communities. While the technology and equipment continue to evolve, the need for teamwork is the one thing that never changed ..... that and the respect earned by mine rescue teams.
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