1 – PROCON BLAST

PROCON BLAST Quarter 3, 2010

Sending a safety shockwave to you!

The Procon Group of Companies, (604) 291-8292

Inside This Newsletter: 1. New Shop Floor at

BelleKeno 2. QR Mine & Mill Update 3. Bingo & Jolu Update 4. Ekati Update

5. Esterhazy Update

6. Wolverine Update

7. Safety Champions 8. Award Winners

9. What‘s Happening

Around our Sites

10. Fatigue & Effective Communication

11. Ballad of Miss Riggs

12. Burnaby Safety Dept.

13. Stretch & Flex

New Shop Floor at Bellekeno

Ray Robinson (photographed above), submitted a Substandard Condition Report on his daily 6-point Safety card regarding the dirt floor in the shop. Ray identified the substandard condition and the associated safety hazards. This information was forwarded to the Safety Department & Supervisor at Keno and as you can see they now have a new concrete floor. Below is copy of the report submitted by Ray Robinson; this is an excellent example of how Substandard Condition Reports can be effective!

-Murray Markle, Safety Officer Bellekeno

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QR Mine & Mill, BC

West Zone

Frank Callaghan, President & CEO of Barkerville Gold Mines Ltd - Holding the first Dore bar, poured on September 8th weighing 314.1 troy ounces (9.77 kg).

Gold Production Begins at QR Mill

The Procon team at the QR Project is pleased to report that throughout the past several months the management and staff have been working diligently towards our goal of seeing the QR Mine recommences operations after having underground production suspended for 13 months. In addition, the Procon team is also pleased to report that re-commissioning of the QR Mill commenced on August 13th, with the first ore being processed. The mill was on a care and maintenance program for 18 months. This is a major milestone for the QR team as it represents the first full scale mining operation for our client Barkerville Gold Mines Ltd. The QR team would like to thank the Burnaby Office, Procon Equipment Nisku Shop and all of the Suppliers, Contractors and consultants that have worked with the QR team to realize this important goal. Also, the project would not have been able to move forward without the continued cooperation of the various departments of the Government of British Columbia. The QR Mill is rated to operate at 900 tonnes per day with feed from the West Zone. Underground operations in the West Zone have been underway for 5 months respectively, with daily production targets being met. Procon has been working at the QR Project since July, 2006 without a lost time incident. With an emphasis on safety the QR Mine will continue to strive towards meeting our ongoing operational targets. The QR Project is being supervised by Mr. Kevin McMurren, Mine Manager, Dave Stark/Peter Fast, Underground Superintendents, Kieran Loughran/Ray Shaw, Mill Superintendents, Greg Budge, Environment and Jon Miller/Bob McLean, Safety. -Jon Miller, Safety Officer QR

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Bingo Mine & Jolu Mill, Sask.

Bingo Mine Update:

The Mine development is advancing towards

getting production going. The Open Pit has the overburden removed

and drilling has started. Roadwork has started on the Mine Road to

accommodate the Ore Trucks for hauling to Jolu Mill.

Construction of New Buildings on surface to replace and upgrade on infrastructures is ongoing.

-Bill Conely Safety Officer Bingo & Jolu

Bingo open pit construction.

Jolu Mill Update:

Mill refurbishing is ongoing. The New Tailings Facility is finished. Permanent Camp is still under construction

as well as the Mill Offices. Tailing Line installation is underway. Site is prepared for receiving ore from Bingo.

Jolu Mill construction crew, Oct 2010.

Overview of Jolu Mill with the settling pond in the distance.

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Ekati, NWT

BHP Billiton Wins 53rd

Annual Mine Rescue Competition

On June 14, 2010, the BHP Billiton- Ekati Mine RescueTeam, which is comprised of both BHP and Procon members, ranked top overall in both underground and surface competitions. They won in the following categories:

Underground Written Test;

Surface Practical Bench;

Underground Bench/Field Test;

Underground Obstacle;

Rope Rescue;

First Aid;

The Ekati Team has qualified to compete at the Biennial Western Regional Mine Rescue Competition which is to be held in Fernie, BC September 2011.

MR Team Member, Procon Equipment Operator, Randy Zdebiak.

MR Team Member, Procon Construction Miner, Sean Scott.

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Esterhazy K2, Sask.

Family Day at Esterhazy!

June 13, 2010 marked the 2nd annual family day picnic at Esterhazy. This fun filled day was made possible by numerous sponsors and the help of staff and their families. In attendance was a special guest Nick Blackwell Mining Manager at Mosaic. The day was kicked off by a game of 9-hole golf on a beautiful green course! The day also included a bouncy castle, face painting, miniature golf, and other fun games. An elite team of volunteers did the honour of Barbequing steaks, burgers and hot dogs! Family day also included a dunk tank. With the help of a donation anyone could have their chance to be dunked! All donations were given to charitable organizations. All in it sounds like this was a pretty great day!

The next Tiger Woods?

Left-Right: Johnathon Chorney, Joan Duchek, Marty Nagy, Bob Gyurkovits, Bob Cranford, Merv Prosko, Dawn Halcrow).

In line for some BBQ. Mike Lauer getting dunked in the infamous dunk tank!

Update from Esterhazy:

Procon‘s performance in safety has been very strong since arriving at Esterhazy and it remains our primary focus. We have exceeded all of our targets for safety through the Employee Incentive Program and we continue to look for new ways to improve. Some new initiatives we have in our future are:

A Supervisor Training session in Regina and Saskatoon that is hosted by the Saskatchewan Mining Association.

Quarterly staff safety meetings to improve communication and incident follow up.

All our supervisors and OHC crew reps will be attending a 4 hour incident investigation course.

We will be increasing our Work Observations underground.

Rolling out ―The Big Six‖ safety initiative which provides guidelines for intolerable safety infractions.

We expect to have results of Diesel Particulate Matter Sampling that we conducted in the water area within the next month. This will give us a better understanding of our workers exposure is to Diesel Emissions. Twenty five samples were taken and will soon be sent away for analysis.

-Aaron Elmy, Safety Officer Esterhazy K2

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Wolverine Mine, Y.T. Update from Wolverine:

At present Wolverine is going through an extensive rehab program. During last six months we have rebolted ramp from surface to 2rd. mining level, and we have just received the okay to continue down to the bottom of ramp. The ground support consists of 3- 12‘super swellex bolts into the back and 6- 8‘ bolts in the walls. All on a 1.2 meter pattern. The areas it the intersections are bolted with 5.5 meter connectable super swellex and 10‘ swellex in the walls, again on a 1.2 meter pattern. In addition to wall bolts 4-6‖ of shotcrete is added. -Mark Bates, Safety Officer Wolverine

Wolverine Lake

Tony Randell & Steve Richard Jumbo Drilling

Hayward Parsons and Carter House working in the Wolverine shop.

Getting ready to shotcrete the main ramp.

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Safety Champions April – September 2010

ACCIDENT FREE HOURS AT WORK

13,750 – Rolfe, Dale - Ekati Neudorf, Carl - Nisku Leonard, Gerard - Ekati Sorenson, Carl - Nisku Kalinouski, John - Ekati Mulrooney, Barry, Baffinland Theriault, Roger - Nisku Conner, William - Nisku Balzer, Lloyd – Procon Industrial Thomas, Douglas - Ekati Gray, Allan - Wolverine 15,200 – Arp, Henry - Ekati Kegel, Jayme - Ekati Jenkins, Hubert - Ekati Walker, Walter - Ekati Braaten, Lormier - Colonsay 17,000 – Chapman, Don - Wolverine McLean, Tim - Wolverine Boyde, William - Ekati Smith, Leland - Bellekeno Holland, Stephen - Ekati 20,000 – Heath, Brad - Ekati McAllister, Don - Ekati Yurkowski, Dave - Nisku McLean, Tim - Wolverine 24,000 Wentzell, Boyde - Bellekeno Liba, Tim - Nisku Yurkowski, Dave - Nisku 30,000 – Cauchon, Michel - Head Office Randell, Tony - Bellekeno 40,000 Perry, Larry - Bingo Oake, Aubrey - Wolverine

EXCELLENT WORK!

Safety Award Program 2010

Hours Award

1750 Travel Alarm Clock

3200 Thermos

5000 Travel Bag

8000 Leather Jacket or Winter Jacket

12000 Portable DVD Player

13750 $250 Home Depot or Canadian Tire Gift Certificate

15200 Men or Ladies Watch

17000 Digital Camera

20000 Leather Jacket

24000 Carriage Clock

30000 Digital Video Camera

35000 $500 Home Depot or Canadian Tire Gift Certificate

40000 $600 Home Depot or Canadian Tire Gift Certificate

Safety is like trying to keep a beach ball underwater. It can be done but it demands your undivided attention.

Take your eye off the ball and you’ve lost it!

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Award Winners:

SAFEmap Quarter 2 Jackpot Winner

Kris Magnusson from Esterhazy was the Quarter 2 SAFEmap Scratchie Jackpot Winner. Kris received the Scratchie for quick action in putting out a Warman Pump fire and preventing it from turning into a serious incident.

Saskatchewan’s 42nd Annual Emergency Response/Mine Rescue Skills Competition The 42nd Annual Emergency Response/Mine Rescue Skills Competition was held at Prairieland Park in Saskatoon on Saturday, June 5, 2010. Sixteen mine rescue teams from Saskatchewan mines competed in surface and underground skills competitions including firefighting, first aid and mine problems.

May 20, 2010: Mine Rescue Provincial Competition, Saskatoon, SK (Left- Right: Robert Hawkshaw, Bob Gyurkovits, Neil Neigbergall).

Total Days No Lost Time

(as of Oct 1, 2010)

Site Number of Days

Bingo 910 Days

Cantung 30 Days

Ekati 830 Days

Esterhazy 645 Days

Jolu 99 Days

Keno 77 Days

Mt Polley 101 Days

Nisku 1075 Days

Procon Industrial 1984 Days

QR Mine 228 Days

Wolverine 159 Days

As of October 1, 2010 Procon has 870 employees working on 14

different sites!

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What’s Happening around our sites:

QR - Mine Rescue Practice Training

QR - Inside Refurbished Mill.

Mayo - Glenn Pardy & Ken Barton Mine Rescue training.

Bellekeno - Fire extinguisher training.

Esterhazy - Keith Wasilka doing cavern maintenance.

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What is Fatigue?

Fatigue can be defined as increasing difficulty in performing physical or mental activities. Sign of Fatigue include tiredness even after sleep, psychological disturbances, loss of energy and inability to concentrate. Fatigue can lead to incidents because workers are not alert and are less able to respond to changing circumstances. As well these immediate problems, fatigue can lead to long term health problems. What causes Fatigue? Fatigue results from insufficient rest and sleep between activities, i.e. from poor quality sleep. The inter-related causes of fatigue include:

The time of day that work takes place;

The length of time spent at work and in work related duties;

The type and duration of a work task and the environment in which it is performed;

The quantity and quality of rest obtained prior to and after a work period;

Activities outside of work, such as second jobs and family commitment;

Individual factors such as sleeping disorders

Why is Fatigue a problem?

Fatigue causes an increased risk of incidents because of tiredness and lack of alertness. When workers are fatigued, they are more likely to exercise poor judgment and have a slow reaction to signals. This can increase all risks on site because fatigued workers are less able to respond effectively to changing circumstances, leading to increased likelihood of incidents due to human error.

Tips for Effective Communication

Communication is important in every workplace and all aspects of daily life. Here is a list of some tips that may be helpful when dealing with a co-worker, supervisor, friend or loved one:

1. Listening: Good listening skills and showing a genuine interest are attributes of a successful communicator. A person who actively listens are more able to solve problems and gain others loyalty.

2. Use Names: When meeting people make sure you hear the person's name and use it right away so you will remember it. If you are not sure what the person said, ask him/her to repeat it.

3. Get to the Point: Show value for people's time by being as concise as possible when giving information. Do not give lengthy, unnecessary details and don't make excuses for your mistakes. Answer the question and give important information only.

4. Let Others Talk: Don't be a person who does all the talking. What you are saying may be of interest to you only. Keep the other person in mind, giving him/her a chance to be a part of the conversation. Look for signals that you may be boring your listener and ask questions to involve them in the conversation.

5. Non-verbal Language: Nine-five percent of our communication is non-verbal, which includes: eye movement, tone of voice, posture, facial expressions and hand gestures. When talking to someone keep eye contact without staring shows a sense of confidence. Be aware of non-verbal communication and keep it consistent with your message.

6. Create an Atmosphere of Openness: To establish good relationship with others and create a comfortable atmosphere. Give the other person your undivided attention by not keeping physical barriers between you.

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The Ballad Of Miss Riggs

Preface: This story takes place in the early days of the Yukon gold rush and tells the tale of greenhorn. On his way to his claim he became infatuated with a “dance hall girl” at a roadhouse in Carmacks. He was to go away and make his fortune and then he could return to claim her as his bride. This ballad commences upon his return.

THE BALLAD OF MISS RIGGS

He came in from the cold, and this story was told, Of romance, riches and greed. He was brassy and bold, had a pouch full of gold, On the bar laid his prospector‘s deed. He shook snow from his boots, with a gallant salute, Bought a round of beer for the boys. He paid from his poke, and I tell you no joke, The sight of it hushed all the noise. ―This paper gives right to me and my might, To search the shores of Great Bear, For the black golden grains that litter the plains, And the lode that‘s sure to be there. So I staked out my claim with visions of fame, For I‘d found a fair nugget or two. I built a small shack with the sweat of my back And panned with a vigor that grew. The winter‘s first snow was start to blow, Cross the tundra, that treeless domain, And I needed enough of that bright yellow stuff, To hold me ‗til spring comes again. The Bartender speaks: ―Ramone‘s gone away to the dance hall I say, In Dawson, at Big Jim‘s behest. He offered her pearls to be one of the girls, And please any man‘s rude requests.‖ The man lost his grin as this knowledge seeped in, He sagged at the shoulders and wept. Laid his head on the bar, with voice from afar, Cried, ―How long has this secret been kept?‖ The Bartender says: ―The very next day after you went away, Big Jim and Ramone hit the trail. She left you this note, and from it I quote, ‗Good-bye for I know you will fail.‘ The tears in his eyes he could not disguise, He sobbed as if stabbed to the core. He rolled up his claim and put it to flame, And scattered his gold on the floor.

It‘s not of much use,‖ cried the now mad recluse, As his eyes quickly searched for the door. Not a man met his stare as he laid his soul bare, For his hand held a Colt forty-four. He crossed the hushed room filled with his gloom, Of a man that‘s more dead than not, He strode out the door with his forty-four bore, The next thing we heard was a shot. We buried him there, by the shore of Great Bear, With a marker of rough granite stones. For the wolves have their say at the end of the day And would rip the flesh from his bones. He never gained fame, nor told us his name, That man who came in from the cold; So we raised up a toast to his premature ghost, And divided his nuggets of gold.

By Randall Hans Crone - Procon Surveyor, Bingo Mine

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Our newest Staff Member at Procon’s Corporate Head Office:

Wilf Penney is our newest member of the Corporate Safety & Training Department in Procon‘s Head Office. Wilf brings with him over 30 years of experience in the Mining Industry and over 20 years in Safety. You may recognize Wilf, as he worked on site at Wolverine. We are happy to have him on our team!

Stop and check out the view!

This is a view of Bellekeno Silver Mine. You can see the portal and shop up the hill on the left hand side.

Picture of an Elk from the Braeburn Elk Herd in the Yukon, enroute to Mayo & Keno.

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‘Stretch & Flex’ Programs Reduce On-the-Job Injuries A musculoskeletal injury (MSI) is defined as an injury or disorder of the muscles, tendons, ligaments, joints, nerves, blood vessels, or related soft tissue that may be caused or aggravated by work. MSI are often called sprains and strains. The most common examples of MSI include conditions such as low back injuries involving muscles, ligaments or spinal discs, tendonitis, bursitis and carpal tunnel syndrome. Musculoskeletal injuries (MSI) account for approximately 30-40% of all lost time injuries across industries. Workplace stretching programs have shown to reduce the frequency and severity of MSI‘s. Because of the exercises, workers are less likely to experience an incident that results in a strain, sprain or more serious injury during the course of the day. Over time, the exercises have been shown to raise workers‘ energy levels and to improve flexibility, strength and range of motion—all of which enhances a person‘s capacity to do physical work without injury. Proponents of ―stretch & flex‖ contend that taking time to stretch also helps employees prepare themselves mentally for the tasks they are about to perform—another important factor in reducing the potential for a work related injury. See the photo below of one of our Superintendants participating in a Stretch & Flex program at Cantung in the ―Early Days‖….can anyone guess who this is?