Canada

Hey Trevor, I gotta [sic] admit, I was a little worried after our progress on the first day of scaling. I wondered if I’d missed something in analyzing that slope! However, on day two, the guys were able to get the bulk of the loose material down in the two areas I was concerned about. They also installed two prisms into the blocks adjacent to the areas scaled so we can monitor any changes in the slope. The team who came to site were the epitome of professional, not to mention a lot of fun to work with. There was never any point where I felt they were working unsafely. I am most impressed with the entire operation. I think we were able to remove 100% of the immediate hazard for that area, and 75-80% of the overall hazard. Job well done!

[Our] team wishes to acknowledge for the excellent work that Courtney Smith and his team performed for us this summer at [our mine]. Courtney was able to provide prompt input and provide some innovative approaches to some of the challenges we faced this summer. Of particular note, the entire summer was performed without an injury or loss time incident, and many of our slope remediation structures were repaired and installed allowing us to continue safely mining. Courtney and his team worked hard, safely, and diligently at each task and was able to complete everything we assigned to the group in a timely fashion. In addition, they maintained a positive attitude despite challenging conditions. We look forward to having Courtney and/or Adam back to site next summer tackling our next set of challenges with slope wall remediation…. Please extend our appreciation for the great work Courtney and his team completed this year. As in their words, we look forward in seeing the team “dominate” any future challenges for our next year’s campaign.

Steve [Wahl] has been gracious with his time during our visits. The feedback … has been very positive (almost glowing) and also your quick action to resolve any concerns from our last visit ... was greatly appreciated…. Keep up the great work, you and your team’s professionalism has not gone unnoticed.

Hi Graeme, I apologize for taking so long to respond; it is a credit to the smoothness of this project that I was able to shift my focus onto other ones. When asked by a colleague how this project went, I responded "that so last week". Seriously though, I want to sincerely thank you and your crew for their great efforts and patience getting this going and completed safely and successfully. A senior manager reviewing the photos also noted how tidy and well organized the site looked. Thanks also for accommodating all our site visits and heli close-ups.

The final product for the winter looks very well done and Matthew was great to work with. I look forward to working with your team next Spring and on future projects.

[Our] team wishes to express its gratitude for the excellent work that Steve Wahl performed for us this summer at [our mine]. Undoubtedly, there were times in which difficult circumstances occurred, and Steve was able to provide prompt, measured input as to his recommended approach. Of particular note, the entire summer was performed without an injury or loss time incident, and many of our slope remediation structures were repaired allowing us to continue safely mining.

I am writing this email to let you know that we are honored to work with GSI and your subcontractors as you have all demonstrated professionalism since your very first involvement of the project. Everyone on the project team is highly experienced, efficient and motivated. We also appreciate your professional work and your prompt response to our inquires. We understand that it is a project and a project site with many unique challenges. Many thanks again!

As told by GSI Project Development Engineer: I just chatted with [the] Operation Manager for the Hwy 3 Char Creek project. He is extremely pleased with the way we are progressing, and very impressed with Matt and the crew’s professionalism and communication. I understand several Ministry reps were on site and given the red-carpet treatment and full briefing. They were pleased with the visit. Also, through all the years of work [he] had never experienced such a positive Workers Compensation Board safety inspection. In a thorough inspection that was nearly 2 hours in length, I understand the only comments the inspector could come up with were:

• the fire extinguisher on the rental fork lift was missing an inspection tag (fully functional, good shape unit, just missing a tag),
• the flagger didn’t have a reflective strip over the top of the hard hat (they have reflectors all the way around, but…. not over the top)

Nice work Gentleman!

On our weekly project update call at the mine, our meetings begin with a ‘safety share’. It’s usually filled with personal observations, mine traffic pattern changes to be conscientious of, or in this week’s meeting, a good catch by GSI’s Courtney Smith. There is a protocol to alert mine personnel working in the pit of any hazardous conditions, which includes highwall instabilities or severe weather approaching. Early hazard detection is critical at the mine as it is over 2.5 miles wide by almost a 1 mile deep. If warranted, the crews will need ample time to evacuate. With all the systems, risk controls and procedures in place to protect over 300 people working there, an onsite contractor (GSI) picked up on the lightning / weather quickly approaching and evacuated the slope. He then proceeded to advise mine dispatch of the situation, who in turn advised relevant mine crews (such as the drill & blast crew) that need to evacuate in the event of lightning. Courtney and crew should be commended on their proactive effort to let mine personnel know and not assume someone else was watching. The mine recognized this action and we should also take note of this courageous leadership to advise a mine with so many intimidating procedures in place to take action.