SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - Employees working underground at the Diavik Diamond Mine were the first Canadian mining workers to receive national certification through the Canadian Mining Credentials Program.

Ten miners from Yellowknife, Fort Simpson, Fort Resolution and Inuvik received their Level 2 underground miner certification during a March 7 ceremony at the Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre in Yellowknife.

The pilot program was developed by the Mining Industry Human Resources Council (MiHR) with members of the industry.

Completing this certification means an underground miner will have a written record of their skills, certifications and experience, making it easier for them to climb the ladder in the mining industry.

"It feels really good. It will make it so I don't necessarily have to start again at the bottom if I go to another mine site or enter another career in the industry," said Daniel Jaeb, who works as an underground equipment operator at the mine.

The Level 2 certification required 1,000 hours of practical training as well as showing competency in certain tasks.

"For me it is a record that I have skills and means that I can depend on others who have their certification, that they have good knowledge of what they are doing and know how to work safely," said Shawn Whiteman, who operates a transmixer, which mixes shotcrete that helps support the mine walls and ceiling. "It feels great to be recognized."

Whiteman, who lives in Yellowknife, said he is looking forward to completing his Level 2 certification, which requires 6,000 hours of practical training and would make him fully certified to work underground in mines across Canada.

"Certification provides a clear development path for miners and clarifies expectations for both employees and employers," said Lyndon Clark, manager of underground operations at Diavik Diamond Mines in a press release.

"Recognition of an occupation validates the legitimacy of the underground miner role and will help attract new miners which are in demand in the North. When the diamond mines are complete, there will be a pool of miners from the North that are certified and able to work across Canada."

Alexander Daigeault, Joe O'Reilly, Dave Brown, J.P. Williah, Shawn Whiteman, Doug Arden, Daniel Jaeb, and Maureen Monkman were all on hand to receive their certification at the territorial museum.

Until now skilled underground miners have never been awarded an industry-recognized credential in the same way that trades are recognized.

According to the MiHR website, the program is founded on a set of mining industry National Occupational Standards. National Occupational Standards were already in place for two key mining occupational areas: surface mining and minerals processor operations. National occupational standards for diamond drilling are in development.

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