Chrystine Patoine (She/Her)

Right now, I work in a mining camp north of Yellowknife, in a diamond mine. My schedule is 14 days at camp, and then 14 days at home. I prepare drilling and blasting maps with specialized design software. In other words, I decide where to place the explosives so we can reach the ore safely. I go to the field to evaluate blasting results and to inspect active job sites.

I use my engineering and math background as well as my experience when I plan where blasting can take place. I work with other teams as I do this. I present an initial design to the technical group for review.  This group includes such people as geologists, geotechnical engineers, ventilation engineers and mine planners. Each brings special knowledge about mining. They may ask questions or suggest changes. As a team we develop the best plan for where blasting should take place.

I work closely with mining operations and take part in operational meetings on a daily basis. These meetings keep everyone up to date with the mining plan and sequence we are following as we extract the ore.

Each day I meet with the drillers and blasters (people who do the blasting work) before the start of their shift. I do this to explain my designs and to make sure everything is done safely.

My academic background has helped me greatly with the work I do today. I had a lot of teamwork experience at university. Often there was pressure to hand over assignments on short notice. This allowed me to develop my ability to cooperate and my ability to manage my priorities. While French is my first language, for work I use English.