Mark Pitseolak started working for Agnico Eagle in 2020, shortly before the Covid-19 pandemic struck and caused significant disruptions to the mining companySA国际影视传媒檚 Nunavut operations, including sending Nunavummiut miners home for lengthy periods for the safety of the communities.

SA国际影视传媒淚t was a very interesting time to start. My career was uncertain,SA国际影视传媒� said Pitseolak. SA国际影视传媒淚t was pretty hard. I have three kids and a common law back home (in Ottawa) and it was pretty hard to leave them for a period of time SA国际影视传媒� at that time we were doing longer rotations than normal.SA国际影视传媒�

During part of the pandemic, workers were putting in 28 days at the mine site, followed by 28 days off, up from the usual two weeks in/two weeks out, because the company wanted to reduce travel due to the risk of Covid.

SA国际影视传媒淚t was very difficult for my family,SA国际影视传媒� Pitseolak recalled.

While at the mine site, he stays in contact with his loved ones through FaceTime after his 12-hour shifts are over.

SA国际影视传媒淢y kids, if theySA国际影视传媒檙e still awake, I get to talk to them almost every day,SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淚t helps a lot.SA国际影视传媒�

Pitseolak draws an analogy of a hunter.

SA国际影视传媒淎 long time ago, the Inuit would go hunting for up to a month at a time and come back with food. Like a modern Inuk, I go to work for two weeks and come back with a pay cheque,SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淭he first thing (when I get home), I hug my kids. TheySA国际影视传媒檙e so happy. EveryoneSA国际影视传媒檚 happy that ISA国际影视传媒檓 home. My other half, I can almost see her shoulders drop when I get home, from joy. I can take over the parenting.SA国际影视传媒�

Despite the additional challenges posed by the pandemic, Pitseolak persevered. He started out as a fuel truck operator at the Meliadine gold mine, north of Rankin Inlet, and he was taught to operate other equipment, such as a telehandler, which has a telescopic boom and a service loader for snow removal and transporting materials.

SA国际影视传媒淚 hadnSA国际影视传媒檛 operated any heavy equipment until I came here,SA国际影视传媒� said Pitseolak, who was in the construction industry SA国际影视传媒� primarily roofing SA国际影视传媒� for several years in Ottawa prior to starting with Agnico Eagle.

One day a little over a year ago, his boss in the environment and infrastructure department announced that he would soon be retiring. He said he was looking for someone to step up and take his job. Pitseolak considered the possibility, but first he wanted to ensure he wasnSA国际影视传媒檛 stepping on anyoneSA国际影视传媒檚 toes. Nobody immediately jumped at the opportunity.

SA国际影视传媒淪o I decided to take the role on,SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淢y supervisor at the time took me under his wing.SA国际影视传媒�

He admitted that taking the promotion took him out of his SA国际影视传媒渃omfort zone.SA国际影视传媒� Addressing a group of workers during meetings, for example, is not something he had done previously, so he practised his public speaking skills in church.

He started learning his new duties and responsibilities in 2022 but he anticipates that he will continue absorbing knowledge for a long time to come.

SA国际影视传媒淚 think the training will be a lifetime. ThereSA国际影视传媒檚 many things to learn working with other departments. You never stop learning,SA国际影视传媒� he said.

Pitseolak said safety is always at the forefront in the mining industry and itSA国际影视传媒檚 his primary concern. He puts emphasis on operating equipment properly and following established procedures. He oversees heavy equipment operation on the surface at Meliadine, such as maintaining the road, haul trucks carrying tailings and loaders removing snow. He leads a crew ranging from 12 to 19 workers.

Josh Bazar, PitseolakSA国际影视传媒檚 boss, said Pitseolak is fit to be a supervisor due to his SA国际影视传媒渄edication, professionalism and personal drive.SA国际影视传媒�

SA国际影视传媒淗is leadership and promotion of the companySA国际影视传媒檚 values will be influential to future employees as they grow within the department and company,SA国际影视传媒� said Bazar. SA国际影视传媒淲e are excited and proud to be part of MarkSA国际影视传媒檚 development and will continue to give him the tools and mentorship required to realize his full potential.SA国际影视传媒�

Pitseolak envisions himself continuing to grow in the job.

SA国际影视传媒淗opefully ISA国际影视传媒檒l be here for many years,SA国际影视传媒� he said.

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