People & Places
Fritz Westlake
Herman Urrejola
Crowsnest Pass, Alberta
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Lima, Peru
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Fritz Westlake
Community Relations Coordinator, Public Relations
Red Dog Operations
When did you start at the company, and at which site/office?
I joined Teck in 2001 as a summer student. I worked in various departments and roles before I began doing Community Relations in 2010.
Could you provide a brief description of what you do in your role?
I act as the liaison between Teck and the communities, primarily with the 11 Iñupiat villages near Red Dog. I am from Kiana, one of those communities. I bring their thoughts, ideas and concerns to the mine while sharing news and information from the mine with them.
What is your favourite part about your job?
I really enjoy working with the Red Dog Subsistence Committee, an advisory committee that helps to protect the subsistence lifestyle of the Iñupiat in the area, highlights needs around traditional land use, and discusses feedback on projects, access, concerns and safety related to mining activities.
What is your most memorable moment working at Teck to date?
I am very proud to have helped develop the Red Dog National Basketball Association (NBA) Program. This year, we took the students to New York City—it was an unforgettable trip.
What is your favourite activity outside of work?
Basketball! I’m a fan, former player and coach. In my region we get six months of darkness and freezing temperatures.
Herman Urrejola
Manager, Social Responsibility
Santiago office
When did you start at the company, and at which site/office?
I started in September 2012 at the Relincho Project in Northern Chile.
Could you provide a brief description of what you do in your role?
I am in charge of the communities team at Quebrada Blanca (QB) Operations and am a strategic collaborator at Carmen de Andacollo (CDA) Operations. I manage the relationships and negotiations with the surrounding communities and work to implement community development through direct and inclusive relationship-building programs.
What is your favourite part about your job?
I most enjoy my role when I am able to see the change in the quality of life of our communities and the results generated by social investment.
What is your most memorable moment working at Teck to date?
The environmental approval of QB; it was an example of successful team-work, which lasted more than a year and presented many challenges. It’s more than a moment, but what was memorable was the satisfaction of reaching an agreement with one of the communities, laying the foundation for long-term agreements.
What is your favourite activity outside of work?
I am a gamer—I love video games! I play mostly online video games, because I enjoy playing with people from other countries and cultures who share my hobby. Elder Scrolls is my favourite. I also build my own computers.
Crowsnest Pass, Alberta
Cole Massaro
Equipment Operator
Greenhills Operations
What is your community’s point of pride?
The region was built on the mining industry, as well as rum-running in the Prohibition days.
When visiting, what’s a ‘must-see’?
The site of the Frank Slide—it was one of the largest landslides in Canadian history.
What is the area’s best-kept secret?
It is a bit of a tie between the gargantuan ice cave located near Crowsnest Lake and the Lost Lemon Gold mine, which people are still searching for to this day.
What’s a typical weekend like there?
Usually they are family-oriented, with the community offering a wide range of options. Located just blocks away from Main Street are the ski hill and the golf course. There is also an outdoor pool, lakes to fish and trails for ATVs, dirt bikes, hiking, snowmobiling and cross-country skiing.
What’s your favourite restaurant in the community?
Chris’ Restaurant, located downtown Coleman. It’s a small diner that has good homemade food.
Is there anything else you’d like other Teck employees to know about the area?
Though I’ve lived here only a couple of years, I have learned something new every day. The amount of history and interesting facts around the Pass is astounding.
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Lima, Peru
Marisol Reategui
Executive Assistant, Exploration
Surco office
What is the area’s point of pride?
Lima is on the Pacific coast near the ocean, with wonderful beaches, incredible museums and a downtown district with centuries-old architecture.
Is there anything the area is famous for?
Surco is the first ecological tourist district, known for its natural beauty. It’s also known for the old cercado de Surco pueblo and its festivals, especially the Festival of Pisco Sour (a Peruvian cocktail), celebrated annually the first Saturday of February.
What is the area’s best-kept secret?
The BiciSurco (bike sharing) program was recently introduced and since then, a lot of new bicycle paths have been developed in the area, which has increased bicycle use as a fast, healthy and sustainable means of transportation.
What is your favourite restaurant in the community?
The seafood restaurant La Rosa Nautica not only has delicious food and an extensive menu, but it has an amazing location at the pier on the shores of the Miraflores Sea. The view at night is magical.
What is a typical weekend like there?
On weekends we go out to lunch with family or to a friend’s house for a barbecue. In summer, we go to the beach, and in winter, we go to the countryside in search of sun. Others go out to the malls or out to eat at restaurants—always as a family!
