On exploration and mineral development projects utilizing aviation support, aviation-related risks are commonly found at, or near, the top of the project risk register. Unfortunately, too many of us know how real these risks can be. Many that have spent time in the industry have been touched by, or been close to serious or fatal aviation incidents. There is a continued need to improve aviation safety for exploration and mineral development projects.

Galore Creek Mining Corporaton, operator for the 50/50 Teck Resources Limited and Newmont Corporation partnership, is the recipient of the 2023 AME David Barr Award for leadership and innovation in Health and Safety for their aviation safety program. Over the past 5 years Galore Creek has implemented an aviation safetly program using a single-engine variance under the BAR standard. During this period, the project has flown 11,000 hours without serious incident, recently achieving 1 million hours worked without a lost time incident.

The team will share learnings from their journey implimenting BARS on the project, including selection of aircraft best suited to the operating environment, and discuss practical approaches to improve aviation safety, including establishing flight corridors and minimum ceiling criteria, and providing live weather data across the project area to support high-quality pilot decision making.

The session will focus on sharing and discussing practical approaches that projects requiring aviation support can readily impliment to improve aviation safety. Please bring your questions, and come ready to discuss how we can continue to improve aviation safety in the industry.

Presenters:
Gabe Jutras, Director, Social, Environmental, and Regulatory Affairs, Galore Creek Mining Corporation
Shiro Rae, Manager, Field Operations, Galore Creek Mining Corporation
James Carr, Aviation Advisor, Galore Creek Mining Corporation