What is so special about this mine?
“This is the highest-grade uranium in the world, and it sits below 500 metres of sandstone. It’s different working here from any other mine.”

As a geological technologist, what are your responsibilities?
“I primarily look after the freeze-hole drilling. We provide support and technical supervision. I also do pressure tests and leak tests. After a hole is completed we’re doing a deviation survey. All the information is put into a database and monitored throughout the drilling programme. I have a little bit of a double role, since I also do some work with the production side of the mining, but we’re more of a technical support.”

What work roster does the mine’s remote location dictate?
“I have a one-week rotation. I fly in on Thursday afternoon and stay for seven days, then go back home for seven days. Here I work 11-hour shifts, from 6:30 in the morning to 6:30 at night. We have a team working night shifts too, so we’re running 24/7.”

How long have you worked here?
“I celebrated my fifth anniversary in April in 2013. Before that, I was doing civil engineering for the city of Saskatoon. I did almost a 180-degree turn in 2008 when the mining industry was picking up again, from civil engineering to mining. I had a big learning curve, but so far it’s been really good and I’ve been quite successful.”

Are you the only female technologist?
“We have a junior geologist who is a woman, but for a tech I’m the only one. The guys treat me really well. I’ve never had an issue with that. I think I have proven myself to earn their respect. I didn’t expect to be treated like a woman either. I do get my hands dirty.”