We are proud to announce that the Macassa mine has won the 2024 Michel Létourneau Award for their transformative Skilled Trades Relocation Initiative. This year’s recognition celebrates teamwork and honours the value of people and the long-term impact of workforce sustainability.
The Michel Letourneau Award has been presented annually since 2015 to an Agnico Eagle employee or team that makes a strong contribution to teamwork, productivity improvements, cost control, innovation, accident prevention or health and safety.
As some of Agnico Eagle’s operations in Mexico neared the end of their operational life, employees expressed interest in continuing their careers within the company. When the opportunity to transfer to Macassa was presented, approximately 50 employees from both Pinos Altos and La India mine applied. Twelve individuals and their families were selected to relocate to Kirkland Lake, Ontario, to join the Macassa mine team. This Immigration Pilot Program directly addressed a critical shortage of specialized workers in Northern Ontario. The need was especially acute for heavy-duty mechanics, with over twenty-five positions remaining unfilled each year despite sustained local recruitment efforts.
“When we decided to do this, we didn’t realize how big an undertaking it would be. But the results have been so positive. It’s not just about having more people underground – it’s about the culture they’ve brought. Their energy lifts the whole team,” said Mariana Pinheiro Harvey, General Manager, Macassa.
The initiative reflects Agnico Eagle’s commitment to teamwork and leveraging internal talent while reinforcing our values of trust and respect. It also embraces a broader definition of sustainability – one with people at its core.
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From Interest to Integration: The journey began over a year before the employees arrived in Canada. Labour Market Impact Assessments (LMIAs), interviews, site visits, English training and community tours ensured a strong professional and personal fit.
A previous recruitment campaign closer to home had underscored the growing skills gap.
“We posted jobs locally and screened over one hundred resumes. About half didn’t meet the basic qualifications,” said Stacey Rodel, HR Superintendent, Macassa. “That’s when we realized we needed a different approach. From our Mexico sites, we found people who knew our systems, shared our values and had the right skills. It just made sense.”
In November 2023, the selected employees and their families visited Kirkland Lake. They toured the mine, met community leaders and attended a welcome dinner hosted by the mayor and the town’s multicultural group. Behind the scenes, a cross-functional team arranged housing, school placements, and even pet accommodations. Regular virtual check-ins helped answer questions about life in Canada, from car seats to winter gear.
Making Kirkland Lake Home: By July 2024, the families arrived with work permits in hand. They were welcomed with groceries, transportation and ongoing support from the Kirkland Lake Multicultural Group. Each family received assistance with essential documents like health cards and driver’s licenses. And a custom Guide to Canadian Winters in Spanish – from layering clothes to warming up your car, helped ease the transition.
“We’ve had wonderful experiences. The winter has been really nice. We’ve met a lot of people; love the language, and the culture up here.” Pablo Arredondo-Reyes, Mechanic, Macassa Mine.
Integration went well beyond logistics. Children joined local soccer teams. One spouse now works at the mine as a Mill Metallurgical Technician. Families embraced Northern Ontario life, trying snowmobiling and ice fishing.
“Seeing our colleagues from La India and Pinos Altos thrive at Macassa is incredibly rewarding,” said Paola Cazares, Director, Sustainability, Mexico. “From Mexico to Macassa, we’ve shown that workforce sustainability is about people first—and that’s something we can all be proud of.”
Success Beyond Metrics: This initiative did more than fill vacant roles, it strengthened community ties and demonstrated how cross-regional mobility can be a powerful workforce strategy. A model for future workforce planning, this initiative aligns with Agnico Eagle’s broader goals of employee development, talent retention and inclusive growth.
“These individuals are optimistic, hardworking and grateful. They’re attending company events, settling in well and already thinking about their future – including permanent residency and even supervisory roles,” said Mariana.
Celebrating the Team: The Michel Létourneau Award was formally presented to the Macassa team during a ceremony on July 30, recognizing the extraordinary cross-functional effort that made this initiative possible.
“This year’s award reminds us that some of the most impactful innovations aren’t technological –they’re human,” said Carol Plummer, Executive Vice President Sustainability, People & Culture.. “The Macassa team showed what’s possible when we invest in people, trust in our culture and collaborate across borders to build a sustainable workforce.”
Accepting on behalf of the team, Justin Peter, Mine Maintenance Superintendent, Macassa Mine shared: “This has been one of the most rewarding experiences of our careers. It took trust, teamwork and a lot of heart – but seeing these families thrive here in Kirkland Lake makes every step worthwhile.”
A New Chapter in Workforce Sustainability: This initiative highlights the power of a people-first approach in shaping the future of mining – and the importance of creating inclusive, supportive environments where people can thrive.
“We’d absolutely do it again,” said Stacey. “It’s uplifting – for the company, the community and the individuals involved.”
Congratulations to the entire Macassa team – and to the families who took a leap of faith, crossed borders and are now proudly helping shape the future of Agnico Eagle’s story in Ontario.
