< Previous30 Connect with us on Facebook and Twitter eDNA to the rescue Azimuth Environmental Consulting, Inc. (Azimuth) collaborated with Precision Biomonitoring Inc. (now Nature Metrics) from 2017 to 2022 to develop and test eDNA protocols as an alternative and complementary targeted surveillance approach. About 120 eDNA genetic markers are available, with the catalogue expanding as new markers are developed. This tool can also be used for invasive species detection or water quality assessments. eDNA can be used to identify individual species or more generally to identify taxonomic groups of species. This emerging science is attracting attention due to its accuracy, precise detectability, and high throughput without needing to sample or observe the species themselves. Azimuth’s cost- benefit analysis shows eDNA surveillance can save clients up to 80 per cent in consulting costs and reduce field inventory timelines by up to 85 per cent compared with traditional surveys, and permits are not required. Marrying field and genetic lab work, eDNA surveillance makes it possible to evaluate properties with levels of confidence and efficiency that were previously intractable. Step 1 involves designing genetic markers for detection of one or more species suspected on a property (see the sidebar for how eDNA sampling works). Here lies the power of eDNA: using genetic markers designed specifically to detect only the target species (or taxonomic group of species), eDNA effectively negates the possibility of inadvertently detecting closely related species. Targeting species is powerful because survey results are very accurate and not confounded by detecting non- target species by mistake. In Step 2, the consultant develops a field sampling regime based on the species’ ecology. Considering the species’ range, habitat requirements and behaviour means strategic decisions by the ecologist can Bat maternity roost boxes sampled for Little Brown Bat (eDNA source: guano). Photos courtesy of Azimuth Environmental Consulting Inc. How eDNA Sampling Works Step 1. Design genetic markers to detect the target species’ eDNA or eDNA from a taxonomic group of species. Step 2. Design the appropriate eDNA sampling regime to meet project objectives. Step 3. Collect samples (for example, filtered water) and preserve / extract the eDNA in the field. Step 4. Complete genetic analyses to determine presence / absence of the species or taxonomic group of species. Regulations The Ministry of Northern Development, Mines, Natural Resources and Forestry oversees Ontario’s mining industry. Ontario’s Endangered Species Act (2007) (ESA) describes protections for Threatened or Endangered species. Of the 30,000-plus species in Ontario, approximately 175 are Threatened or Endangered. The ESA applies to species at risk that may be affected by mining.Visit us online at www.CanadianMiningMagazine.com 31 be made regarding where and how many water samples should be taken. Step 3 involves collecting a predetermined number of water samples from various locations on a property. Each sample is filtered using a special pump and filter cartridge to capture floating eDNA out of the water. Then, eDNA captured on the filters is preserved immediately, which can be completed in minutes. Other samples (guano, hair, or soil) are transported back to the lab for extraction prior to genetic analysis. In Step 4, extracted samples are quantified to measure the total amount of target and non-target eDNA per sample, and analyzed with replicates and controls using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction to see if the target eDNA is present. Results and their importance are interpreted in the context of the project, informing exploration and land use decisions. eDNA in action Turtles Azimuth has used eDNA surveillance to detect species at risk since 2017. In winter 2017-2018, we collected water from ice- covered wetlands in Ontario thought to be overwintering sites for Blanding’s Turtles. In -30ºC temperatures and bitterly cold winds, we used an auger to drill through 30 centimetres of ice to collect water samples. That we detected the turtles’ eDNA from water under such harsh winter conditions while the species was hibernating (had very low activity levels and eDNA shedding rates) demonstrates an extreme affirmatory test of the utility of eDNA to detect species at risk outside the summer active season. In a separate mining study, we demonstrated conclusively that a turtle species observed in a lake a decade earlier was no longer present. This aspect of occupancy is difficult to prove using traditional methods because of the species’ covertness. Bats Azimuth has extracted eDNA from Little Brown Bat guano pellets at roost boxes in a provincial park. Results showed 100 per cent detection success of the bat species. Independent sampling using bat acoustic monitoring corroborated the genetic results. In addition to guano, hair from maternity roosts, soil, or even pond water where bats feed on flying insects and defecate can be collected as eDNA sources. Fish We have used eDNA to detect three at risk fish species, one of which (Lake Sturgeon) occupied a river over 50 kilometres long, 6 metres wide, and 15 metres deep, with a water (and eDNA) residency time of just 21 hours. This means that eDNA released by individual fish would have been carried downstream by the current and no longer in the sampled area in less than one day, yet we still detected the species using our eDNA approach. Enormous potential for mining companies eDNA is changing species surveillance. The technology represents tremendous potential for mining companies to detect a target species at risk or multiple species in a taxonomic group. eDNA surveillance is oftentimes more efficient, accurate, and cost-effective compared with traditional surveys, and promises to play an increasingly important role in species detection in the decades to come. M DR. SCOTT TAROF (PH.D. BIOLOGY) IS A SENIOR TERRESTRIAL ECOLOGIST AT AZIMUTH AND LEADS THE FIRM’S eDNA SURVEILLANCE SERVICES. MIKE JONES (M.SC., P. GEO.) IS A SENIOR HYDROGEOLOGIST / HYDROGEOCHEMIST AND IS AZIMUTH’S PRESIDENT. AZIMUTH HAS WORKED ON CANADIAN MINING PROJECTS FOR OVER 20 YEARS, INCLUDING SPECIES AT RISK ASSESSMENTS. LEARN MORE AT HTTP://WWW. AZIMUTHENVIRONMENTAL.COM. Dual filter cartridge downrigger to sample for Lake Sturgeon eDNA in a river at a depth of 5 metres (eDNA source: water). Winter eDNA sampling for a species at risk turtle (eDNA source: water). PRINT: We publish three issues each year: Winter, Spring, and Fall. Book your space now for the Winter 2023 issue, which mails January 2023! BLOGS: Showcase your expertise to our online communities! A new blog is posted every single week – why not have it be about your capabilities and technologies? Spots are almost gone for 2022 and are already selling for 2023. All blogs are pinned to the top of our Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn pages for one full week to ensure maximum visibility. SOCIAL MEDIA NETWORKS: We post news to our Facebook and Twitter pages at least three times per day. It could be yours! Ask your sales representative how to have your company’s press releases shared to our social media communities. ONLINE ADVERTISING: Year-over-year, the number of visitors to our website is growing. Target these individuals with a banner advertisement linked to your website. 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Visit us online at www.CanadianMiningMagazine.com 3334 Connect with us on Facebook and Twitter FEA TURE ental health issues are often prevalent in high stress working environments, and the mining sector is no exception. According to a five-year study in 2019 by Vale Canada1 of its employees in Sudbury Ontario, approximately half of the more than 2,000 respondents reported that they had suffered work-related mental health issues and 10 per cent of these had experienced thoughts of suicide. This was all before the COVID-19 pandemic, which has only served to make many mental health issues even worse. Leaders in the mining industry understand the importance of ensuring there are standards and protocols in place to protect the physical safety of their employees. If an employee does suffer a physical injury, these leaders also understand the importance of ensuring those employees have access to the medical care that they need. But let’s face it, the preventative measures to protect employees cost far less and offer a much higher return than the reactive ones. The same holds true for mental health supports. Reactive supports, such as counselling and group supports, are critically important for assisting leaders suffering from stress, burnout, and other serious mental health conditions, but this is only part of what is needed. It would be far better to have proactive measures in place that allow mental health issues to be identified and treated early so that fewer in the mining sector – and all industries for that matter – ever get to the point of crisis. Refinery has worked with many companies and leaders in the mining industry. Through proven training and techniques, they have helped leaders learn how to manage their own stress and, in the process, become better-equipped to create a psychologically safe environment for their team and help those they work with manage stress as well. Unique challenges concerning mental health in the mining industry Every industry comes with its own unique challenges related to mental health. Some of the challenges in the mining industry include: • Physically demanding work which can lead to physical exhaustion; • Employees who are frequently working in remote locations where they are away from their families and other social supports; • It is a traditionally male-dominated industry and therefore may have a culture that is less open to discussing mental health issues; Think Differently: Reactive Initiatives Are Not Enough By Jelena Vath, Refinery • Industry pressures from a wide range of sources including global supply chain issues; • Economic and political unrest, and environmental concerns; • Pressure to increase productivity while also reducing costs and maintaining safety standards; and • Unplanned production variations. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), job burnout has three main symptoms including feelings of energy depletion or exhaustion, increased mental distance from one’s job, or feelings of negativity or cynicism related to one’s job, and a sense of ineffectiveness and lack of accomplishment. The Mayo Clinic identifies three steps for getting help when facing job burnout:2 1. Evaluate your work options. See if there are changes you can make in your work situation that would reduce stress and give you time to recover. 2. Look for support. This can come in the form a professional counselling or Visit us online at www.CanadianMiningMagazine.com 35 simply having a loved one that you can talk to. 3. Find a way to quiet your mind and body. Practices like mindfulness and physical activity have been proven to greatly reduce stress and improve mental health. Identifying smaller mental health issues before they become a crisis In most workplaces – in the mining sector or otherwise – the majority of corporate mental health initiatives are either policy-driven or reactive in nature. We would like to encourage workplaces to shift to more proactive measures geared toward prevention and early intervention. The key is knowing what to look for. For leaders, this begins with a deepening of their self-awareness and understanding their personal operating systems and wiring. They then need to understand how to use those insights to guide their own behaviour. This allows them to move to a place where they can effectively and successfully lead others. It is the same philosophy that the airline industry uses when they instruct passengers that they must help themselves by putting on their own oxygen mask before they can safely assist others. It all begins with personal psychological resilience, which is defined as “the ability to mentally or emotionally cope with a crisis or to return to pre-crisis status quickly.”3 Developing or strengthening psychological resilience requires deliberate practice and self-exploration. It is about taking control over how we think and feel about and respond to personal experience. Development in this area allows leaders to be more proactive about their mental health. This philosophy is at the core of Refinery’s leadership programs. Leaders practice exercises that allow them to identify how they react to stress and once they can identify their own patterns, they become better able to control them. When leaders are more psychologically resilient, they are in a better position to create an environment of psychological safety that allows others to do the same. Professor of Leadership and Management at Harvard, Amy Edmondson, defines Psychological Safety as “a team climate characterized by interpersonal trust and mutual respect in which people are comfortable being themselves.” Leaders today need to understand how they are personally dealing with the stress of the job and how that is affecting their team. When they can manage their own stress in a healthier manner, it helps to create a healthier atmosphere for everyone that they work with. The benefits of a psychologically safe workplace No one would argue that modern workplaces must be physically safe. In fact, it has been proven that for every dollar that an employer invests in workplace health and safety, the return on that investment is three dollars. Physically safe workplaces have higher productivity, lower absenteeism, and are less likely to have employees who file claims with their workers compensation board thereby driving up their premiums. As it turns out, employers can also see these same kinds of benefits when they invest in creating a psychologically safe workplace. A psychologically safe workplace will see higher productivity, less sick time taken by employees, and even increased employee satisfaction. And, at a time when employers are struggling to attract and retain workers, creating a culture that is psychologically safe can give them a real edge when recruiting. Taking a holistic approach The best approach to creating psychological resilience and safety on teams is to use a holistic approach of first focusing on the self and then on helping others. Leader development programs that enable leaders to understand their own unique stressors and reactions help individuals to learn how to identify their stress triggers that affect others on their teams. From there, they have a better grounding to understand and help others who are going through crisis, and ultimately create an environment of psychological safety. The mining industry will always have its unique stressors, but that doesn’t mean we can’t evolve and adopt better and healthier ways of managing stress and prioritizing mental health. You can visit www.refineryleadership. com for more information about Refinery’s programs for leaders, including The Better Boss program. M JELENA VATH IS THE DIRECTOR OF DESIGN AT REFINERY, WHERE SHE DEVELOPS CUSTOM LEARNING PROGRAMS THAT COMBINE THE ESSENTIALS OF SOCIAL, PHYSICAL, COGNITIVE, AND EMOTIONAL LEARNING. References: 1. Vale. Mining Mental Health Results. www.vale.com/canada/EN/aboutvale/ communities/health-and-safety/ Pages/Mining-Mental-Health-Results. aspx 2. Mayo Clinic. Job burnout: How to spot it and take action. www.mayoclinic. org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/in- depth/burnout/art-20046642 3. de Terte, Ian; Stephens, Christine (2014). Psychological Resilience of Workers in High-Risk Occupations. Stress and Health. 30 (5): 353–355.36 Connect with us on Facebook and Twitter FEA TURE he ups and downs of mining’s commodity pricing have always made the industry a bit of a roller coaster ride. High prices accelerate new projects and expansion plans, and low prices force mines into curtailment or care and maintenance. The mining industry is resilient when it comes to the challenges of the supply and demand curve, but with today’s added pressures of rampant inflation, supply chain disruption, and commodity price volatility, mining companies require a greater effort to protect their earnings. The insurance industry has also experienced the impacts of inflation resulting in higher-than-expected insurance claims for the insured. As a result, insurers are now focusing on the sales price used to calculate business interruption values, the credibility of an insured’s declared property values, and whether there is contingency planning in place for critical assets. This focus can help protect the mining sector’s balance sheets by transferring unexpected insurable financial losses but as with most things, insurance comes at a cost so mining companies should carefully consider which risks they choose to transfer to insurance and at what limit. Further, mining companies need to be proactive in updating their risk assessments with current loss estimates taking inflation, commodity price, and lead times for critical materials into consideration. Insureds typically purchase their property and business interruption insurance policy limit based on their maximum foreseeable loss (MFL). The calculation of the MFL considers the cost to repair or replace the damaged physical asset and financial business interruption impact on the company. Property insurance policies can either be placed on a replacement cost value (RCV) or actual cash value (ACV) basis. ACV is replacement cost less depreciation whereas RCV protects the insured against material and labour cost increases. RCV is therefore superior coverage as it returns the insured back to the condition prior to the loss. With RCV coverage insurers want comfort that the insured’s declared statement of values accurately reflects the risk exposure, including current material and labour costs. On the other side, one risk to mining companies centers on understating property values on their insurance policy, as it could result in inadequate insurance in the event of a loss. A property appraisal will provide both the insurer and insured with confidence in the values declared and the MFL calculation, which as mentioned typically drives the purchase of the property and business interruption insurance policy limit. Best practice is to have a property appraisal every three to five years to keep values accurately reflecting replacement cost. Appraisers are currently in high demand due to the backlog caused by the global pandemic and an increased request of appraisals with the uncertainty of declared values due to inflation rates. It is best to book your appraisal at least six months in advance of when you require a completed report as it may take up to four months or longer to secure a site survey date and an additional two months to complete the report. It is ideal to have the completed report and updated values three months prior to renewal date to allow sufficient time for strategic planning and insurance renewal marketing efforts to source the best and most appropriate coverage possible. The property appraisal process is quite simple for a mining company as it only requires a current fixed asset listing or statement of values and a tour of the facility with a guide that is familiar with the property and equipment. Mining companies able to establish a regular valuation update cycle will benefit by ensuring their statement of values and insurance limits purchased reflect accurate probable loss scenarios with current construction costs. This, therefore, reduces the risk of being underinsured and provides senior management as well as insurers with comfort that the insurance limits purchased are adequate should an insurable loss occur. If insurers are not confident in the property values declared by an insured, they may take an approach of increasing their rate by the amount of perceived inaccuracy. By Katherine Dawal, NFP Canada Inflation and Commodity Price Volatility: What’s the Impact on Your Insurance?Visit us online at www.CanadianMiningMagazine.com 37 Supply chain disruption, including longer lead times for materials and equipment, causes an increased time element exposure resulting in a greater business interruption impact. For example, a new transformer that three years ago took 12 months to procure and commission may now take nearly 18 months. The additional six months could result in an operational delay that negatively impacts cash flow. Business interruption is a time element insurance coverage and if an insured has only purchased an indemnity period of 12 months for business interruption insurance based on the transformer failure estimate from three years ago, they will unfortunately feel the impacts of being underinsured from a business interruption perspective. Contingency planning for key critical assets is an essential proactive measure that has proven to reduce downtime in the event of an incident. Developing and continuously reviewing contingency plans is a good risk management tool that improves a mining company’s overall risk profile. It is important to review the MFL scenarios with updated lead times and proven contingency plans to help ensure the business interruption insurance purchased is adequate for today’s exposure. The MFL calculation also considers sales in the business interruption impact. The mining industry is more than familiar with the cyclical highs and lows of commodity pricing but with a combination of soaring inflation and the Ukraine and Russia conflict impacting the mining sector, commodity price is a hot topic with property insurers. Due to commodity price volatility, property insurers are looking to impose coverage restrictions, such as a commodity price cap, a margin or average clause, a business interruption volatility clause, or a premium adjustment at expiry clause. Mining companies should be assessing their indemnity period and limit purchases based on the commodity price used to calculate sales to ensure it aligns with the company’s risk threshold and insurance purchasing philosophy. Re-assessing business interruption values mid-policy term should occur if the commodity price has changed significantly, and insureds should notify their broker if additional insurance limits are needed. Inflation, supply chain disruptions, and commodity price volatility impact your risk profile and overall insurance purchase requirements. Mining companies should be proactive and schedule an appraisal before their next property insurance renewal to determine accurate replacement values, re-calculate their business interruption exposure based on current commodity pricing, and re- The mining industry is more than familiar with the cyclical highs and lows of commodity pricing but with a combination of soaring inflation and the Ukraine and Russia conflict impacting the mining sector, commodity price is a hot topic with property insurers. evaluate current lead times for critical equipment to determine if their current business interruption indemnity period is adequate. The final step, after taking all these steps into consideration, is to review and re-calculate their MFL scenario and purchase the corresponding property and business interruption insurance limit required. M KATHERINE DAWAL IS VICE PRESIDENT OF RISK MANAGEMENT AT NFP. SHE HAS OVER 13 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE IN THE INTERNATIONAL MINING INDUSTRY FOCUSING ON LARGE AND COMPLEX INSURANCE PLACEMENTS, MULTI- MILLION-DOLLAR INSURANCE CLAIMS, AND ENTERPRISE RISK MANAGEMENT. KATHERINE WAS RECOGNIZED AS A LEADING RISK MANAGER IN 2018 BY INSURANCE BUSINESS CANADA AND WAS THE RECIPIENT OF THE 2020 RISK AND INSURANCE MANAGEMENT SOCIETY’S (RIMS) RISING STAR AWARD.38 Connect with us on Facebook and Twitter WHA T'S UP ONLINE ince 1989, NSS Canada has been successfully integrating technology to increase safety, accuracy, and efficiency. As a Leica Geosystems, Hexagon, and Exyn Technologies authorized reseller, NSS Canada specializes in engineering, construction, and mining solutions. NSS Canada has partnered with the local educational institution Collège Boréal, Co-operative Education & Work-Integrated Learning Canada (CEWIL), and Dynamic Earth to launch “Projet MOSS” in Sudbury, Ontario. The Miner Operated Survey System (MOSS) is an underground surveying software that supports a wide range of Leica robotic total stations. MOSS integrates mine design specifications and drawings when completing mark-ups, and provides real-time information for miners, engineers, and geologists. In the past, Collège Boréal trained students with used and outdated surveying equipment from area mines. NSS Canada’s goal in partnering with local educational institutions, such as Collège Boréal, is to provide teachers and students with state-of-the-art surveying equipment and technology for hands on learning. This allows students access to train with the equipment in the underground mine at Dynamic Earth. “NSS Canada is excited to expand into the education system to provide new technology for students and future workers,” said Bruno Lalonde, President of NSS Canada. “Our goal is to ensure students can come into the workforce better prepared for the market and industry. We are committed to being at the forefront of mining and technology, while providing students with the tools needed to be successful once they leave the classroom.” “Projet MOSS will expose future mine technicians to all the resources required to succeed in today’s mines and workforce,” added Jeff Lafortune, Program Coordinator and Professor at Collège Boréal. “Safety awareness, communication, precision, and technology. We are grateful for the support of our partners.” Throughout Projet MOSS, students applied survey knowledge using modern industry leading technology. Throughout the course, students performed day to-day tasks such as production surveys, development surveys, and mine planning using MOSS. NSS Canada’s very own Technical Services Manager, MOSS, Francis Nepveu a graduate from Collège Boréal, was the lead of this project along with other NSS staff. Together they trained, introduced, and demonstrated the new equipment in an underground setting for students. NSS Canada Partners with College Boreal on Projet MOSS This article was featured on the Canadian Mining Magazine website on May 26, 2022. To learn how your expertise can be showcased on the site, email sales@matrixgroupinc.net. Check out more great blogs at www. canadianminingmagazine.com/blog. By Kaitlynn Zygmont, NSS CANADA College Boreal graduates learned on state-of-the-art equipment and technology thanks to a partnership between the college and NSS Canada.Visit us online at www.CanadianMiningMagazine.com 39 “This is the kind of stuff I wish I could have learned while I was in school, and it has been a real pleasure to show it off to the students,” said Nepveu. “My hope is that this project has helped demonstrate to them just how much new and exciting technology is used in underground mining.” This training has helped students to learn hands-on how to use the equipment to better prepare them for their future careers. Learn more about NSS Canada at www.nsscanada.com. M KAITLYNN ZYGMONT IS THE MARKETING MANAGER AT NSS CANADA. KAITLYNN HAS A BACHELOR OF ARTS DEGREE IN ENGLISH LITERATURE AND A MASTER’S DEGREE IN HUMANITIES FROM LAURENTIAN UNIVERSITY. NSS Canada’s goal in partnering with local educational INSTITUTIONS, such as Collège Boréal, is to provide teachers and students with state-of-the-art surveying equipment and technology for hands on learning. This allows students access to train with the equipment in the underground mine at Dynamic Earth. Next >