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These stories were provided by two of CIM's Industry Partners and originally appeared in the December 2024 - January 2025 issue of CIM Magazine (view it in flip format here).
Developing skills, strengthening relationships
Above: Graduates of the inaugural Mikinaak MineExcell Program
Since Evolution Mining’s inception in 2011, sustainability has been purposefully integrated into everything the company does. Evolution works to create long-term value, delivering positive impacts for its stakeholders while fostering trusted partnerships that enable safe, reliable and sustainable operations.
Working from the viewpoint that it is the short-term custodian of the land on which it operates, Evolution actively respects the rights and role of First Nations partners and Indigenous peoples.
Reflecting this, Evolution values its partnerships and is committed to collaborating to identify, protect and preserve First Nations cultural heritage. This includes promoting First Nations partners and Indigenous peoples’ history, culture and achievements.
Evolution recognizes the importance of agreements with First Nations partners that outline mutual commitments and responsibilities. These span engagement and consultation on cultural heritage surveys and identification of culturally sensitive sites, among many other environmental and training provisions. The agreements provide substantive avenues for First Nations partners to discuss environmental matters, from the earliest stages of the projects to closure and reclamation.
In Red Lake, Ontario, Evolution has been working with the local community to build capability and education pathways to assist local community members to find rewarding careers in the mining industry. This vision has resulted in the creation of the Mikinaak MineExcell Program, which is an underground mining training program focused on training qualified local candidates. The Indigenous term Mikinaak (mih-kih-nahk) means snapping turtle, which is an important figure in local First Nations legends and is spiritually and culturally significant.
In partnership with the Sioux Lookout Friendship Accord, Northern College, Red Lake Indian Friendship Centre, Red Lake Career and Employment Centre and Byrnecut International, the program ran in the fall of 2023. Participants from Ontario were encouraged to apply, with preference given to applicants from the Lac Seul and Wabauskang First Nations and the local community. Eight Red Lake and Lac Seul First Nation trainees were selected to undertake the 12-week program at Evolution’s Red Lake Operations.
The program is divided into five parts and modules, which aim to foster the culture of safety, accountability, excellence and respect, which aligns with Evolution’s values and approach to partnerships, inclusion and diversity, and advancing socioeconomic and employment outcomes for First Nations peoples.
Upon completion of the 12-week program, trainees received a certificate from Northern College and an accreditation in hard rock underground mining issued by the Ontario Ministry of Labour. Five Lac Seul First Nation and Red Lake community trainees completed the 12-week program, with four of those transitioning to employment at Evolution’s Red Lake Operations. The program provided the trainees with skills and job opportunities, both internal and external.
“Training was culturally appropriate with a mix of classroom and practical learning experience to ensure the success of each applicant,” one Red Lake trainee, Brittany Sky, reflected. A Lac Seul trainee, Lawrence Angeconeb, added, “I was very thankful to meet new people who have great mining experience and give their best to accomplish Evolution’s production goals.”
John Penhall, vice-president of Red Lake Operations, said, “This program epitomizes our commitment to upskilling our local community and creating opportunities for First Nations peoples. We are exploring the opportunity to establish this as an annual program, which will create a talent pipeline not only for Red Lake but for the industry as a whole.”
In addition to its Red Lake Operations, Evolution has a hub in Vancouver where its Discovery team is based. This year, the team sponsored the Crolancia Secondary School in Pickle Lake, Ontario, to partner with the Mishkeegogamang First Nations in hosting Crolancia’s inaugural Powwow. This supported their annual National Indigenous Peoples Day to celebrate the cultures and contributions of the First Nations, Inuit and Métis Nation peoples of Canada.
The Crolancia students, 94 percent of whom are First Nations peoples, can seek sponsorship for a particular legacy project each year, and this year it was the formation of the Powwow. Powwows are powerful gatherings of First Nations peoples where generations come together to honour traditions, develop a sense of community, practice spiritual healing and share in traditional dances and song. The event, which ran on the school grounds and carried on in Osnaburgh, was incredibly significant for the students. Evolution was proud to sponsor the inaugural Powwow, which is shaping up to be an annual event. Red Lake Operations also supported Red Lake High School at the Red Lake Powwow, with great enthusiasm shown at the drum circle and regalia.
Evolution Mining acquired the Red Lake Operations in 2020, its first asset outside of Australia, where the company was established and is listed on the Australian Stock Exchange. With around 1,000 people working at Red Lake, the operation produced 112,700 ounces of gold in FY24. Red Lake demonstrated sustainable improvements in its fiscal year ending in June 2024 to enable positive cash generation and reliable delivery for the following year. The improved operational performance saw the site achieve its highest quarterly ore mined under Evolution ownership, with 254,000 tonnes in the quarter ending in June.
