SASKATOON - Laurie George, a payroll specialist at Vital Metals, proudly represents Canada's mining industry in rare earth minerals. She works diligently at the Rare Earth Extraction Processing Facility in Saskatoon, contributing to the province's economic machine.
Recently, George travelled to Ottawa to attend US President Joe Biden’s state visit and address to Parliament. Accompanied by Northwest Territories Nechalacho mine worker Cruize Jerome,
George said it was an honour to meet top officials, including Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and represent the country's focus on producing rare earth metals in Canada.
“It is an amazing opportunity to be part of a process that will ensure these rare earth/critical minerals are available to our close friends and neighbours with low environmental impact,” said George.
“You do not get the chance to be in the same building with the president of the United States and the prime minister of Canada too often in one day. It was an honour to be invited to partake in a once-in-a-lifetime historic event.”
She expressed gratitude for the invitation to attend the once-in-a-lifetime event, where she had the chance to witness Biden's over 30-minute speech confirming the partnership between the US and Canada under Trudeau’s leadership to focus on greener technology for the future.
Vital Metals is operating the country's first rare earth extraction mine in Nechalacho in the Northwest Territories, with a mission to put Canada on the rare earth minerals industry map. The company is focused on leaving as little environmental footprint as possible, leading to a greener economy.
George added that her position had allowed her to employ the local indigenous community in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, and beyond.
“[My] position has offered me an opportunity to assist and provide employment to the local indigenous community in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories and beyond. It is a true honour to be part of the Vital Metals Canada team,” added George. She is a payroll and finance analyst at Vital Metals, where she was offered the position early this year.
She is certified as a payroll manager, payroll compliance practitioner, and also in human resources management. "These vital metals are essential to our everyday contribution to modern technology, mobile phones, vehicles, computers, laptops, televisions, cameras, medical testing equipment, etc.
Rare earth/critical minerals are some of what makes this happen. Being the first rare earth-extracting mine (Yellowknife) and processing plant (Saskatoon) in Canada gives us the advantage to keep these sources available locally for our friends and neighbours. In doing so, it ensures Indigenous/Métis opportunities for employment in the Northwest Territories."
