Over four decades strong and still counting: Howard Lamont’s journey at Lanigan

Published: Nov 30, 2023

Howard Lamont, Mill Production General Foreman, has been an employee at our Lanigan, Saskatchewan potash mine for over forty years, but his family’s connection to the mine started before he was even born.

The history of Nutrien's Lanigan mine is deeply rooted in community connections and strategic land acquisitions. Neil Lamont, Howard’s grandfather, and owner of Lamont Agencies - involving real estate and insurance - played a crucial role in the mine's development in the late 50s and early 60s. Before the mine site was established, Neil engaged with local farmers, acquiring the necessary land and mineral rights needed for future development. He also fostered relationships by selling crop insurance to farmers in the area. This connection proved instrumental when Alwinsal Potash of Canada Ltd. reached out to him when they sought to purchase land for its potash mine, which now many years later is owned and operated by Nutrien.

Timeline of Historical Events at Lanigan

Fast forward to 1980 when Howard started working at the mine just a short three weeks after he finished high school. Starting as a laborer, he progressed through the various mill operator levels with increased responsibility. He also worked in the load-out department learning track, storage bin operation of heavy equipment and then scale operation. He accepted the role of Mill Production Supervisor in 2007 and became the Mill Production General Foreman in May 2023.  

“We are extremely fortunate to have several long-term employees, like Howard, who dedicate themselves to emergency response, perform high-quality work and provide mentorship to new employees,” says Rob Jackson, General Manager, Lanigan. “These individuals are a huge asset to the mine and community.”

Howard has witnessed many milestones and advancements to the mill and mine during his forty-plus years at Lanigan.

• The site workforce has doubled to 600+ employees since Howard started his career.
• In the 1980s the site changed from car and loader operation for underground production to utilizing an extensible conveyor system allowing for longer rooms and major productivity improvements. They also built the Phase 2 mill which the site is currently operating now.
• In mid-2000 the site gutted the Phase 1 mill and rebuilt it with new equipment and technology.
• In 2007, the site completed a test room in the A zone using the chevron mining technique that led to a multi-year program to transition mining from long room and pillar mining to A zone chevron mining for the site.
• In 2017, the Lanigan underground team started work to install tele-remote equipment on a chevron production mine and has since led the Nutrien potash network in this area with many machines completed at Lanigan and at other sites.
• The site has also successfully restarted the Phase 1 mill in September 2022 and as of September 2023 over 200 million tonnes of raw ore have been mined.
• Safety culture evolved, from inadequate PPE and casual attitudes in the 1980s to stringent safety measures today.

“Our safety culture today has changed for the better, 100 percent. The PPE that we wear is top quality and readily available to the employees. Our lockouts and confined space procedures are exceptionally prepared and planned for safe work to be accomplished every time,” says Howard. “During toolbox and safety meetings, workers are very much involved in safety concerns and decisions of safe work practices of all kinds. Nutrien focuses on Key Daily Safety Actions and the last action – Care and Look out for Each Other – is what we do every single day.”

Howard was a proud member of the Lanigan Fire Department for 20 years and Lanigan’s mine rescue team for 15 years before retiring from both. The same strong desire for safety in both the community and at his workplace runs in his family too. His son, Carter, Mill Mechanical Supervisor, is currently captain of the mine rescue team at Lanigan.

“Carter joined the mine rescue team following in my footsteps and he is better in mine rescue than I ever was,” says Howard. “Carter’s team placed first at this year's Firefighter’s Rodeo in Lanigan and became the 2023 Provincial champions of the Mine Rescue Competition held in Saskatoon. It makes me very proud to see him compete and help others in their time of need here at work and at home in his community.”

Howard’s four-decade journey (and still counting) at Lanigan, alongside Lanigan’s milestone of 55 years of production mining shows the deep roots that Nutrien has in Saskatchewan. With numerous projects underway, Lanigan stands as a testament to multi-generational dedication, providing careers and opportunities to support generations of workers to come.

“I am very proud of the team and all the great work they have done and continue to do around safety, integrity, inclusion and results,” says Rob. “Our employees are our most important resource, and our success is due to their commitment to continuous improvement in all aspects of operational excellence.”