"People don't realize how big of a deal this is, and it's a testament to what the BuildWitt guys are doing. Suncor doesn't let anyone film and document their operations. Instead of vilifying them as many publications do, he shows a positive picture."
"I worked at Base Plant for almost six years, always telling my family it was a big operation but couldn't put it into perspective. Thanks for doing this so I can show my family what it was like working around these monsters and the plants!"
"Oh my God I'm so excited to share this with my family!!! FINALLY an in-depth, high-quality video that shows EXACTLY what my job is!! I've been driving trucks in Millenium for over eight years, and this is the BEST video I've seen about trucks and shovels. Thank you!!!"
Creating the actual photos and videos we do is the easy part.
The biggest challenge is access/approvals, which starts months or sometimes years before a visit happens.
Instead of a heartfelt thank you for keeping everyone's lives comfortable (transportation, shelter, food, water, the list goes on…), modern media has trashed the mining industry.
As a result, mining closed its doors to cameras. They can't control what others say but can reduce the ammunition anti-mining groups gather.
There they have comfortably stayed for sometimes decades—until now.
As the previous generation of miners retires, but the demand for mining only grows, mining has no choice but to open its gates to people like me, who desperately want to highlight the positive reality of their work.
How did I do it?
First, I spent five years building my credibility to be worthy.
My next step was to visit Fort McMurray last August to explore and build relationships. There was ZERO chance to see the big mines, but I scoured the fringes for a way in.
After meeting the right people, I spent a few months coordinating with the helpful folks at Suncor for the proper access.
We got the official green light one week before flying north, and I only took a breath of relief once our first security badges cleared at the mine gate on Monday morning.
We shot for five days in subzero temperatures (I explain why we visited in winter below), and then shortly after our return home began the editing and approval process.
I still have no idea why they went to the lengths they did to get us the access we had, but I'm incredibly grateful. We had the easy job—many people helped make this happen on their end.
Suncor's work is essential and remarkably thoughtful, and I'm SO HAPPY we can help show off the reality of oil sand mining.
When I first visited the oil sand mining region north of Fort McMurray last August, I figured summer would be a perfect time, assuming winter would be slower. Boy, was I wrong.
When we arrived, EVERYONE said we needed to visit in the winter because that's when the real work happens. Check...
To dramatically simplify mining, it moves ore from wherever it lies to a processing facility. While some operations use conveyors, most use trucks, and trucks need solid roads.
The issue with oil sand is that it's... well... oily sand, which, as you can imagine, doesn't make for a sturdy foundation. With soft underfoot conditions, trucks sometimes bog down.
But in Alberta's subzero winter temperatures, the roads freeze, making them like concrete highways. Unless it's extremely cold (-30ish), the mines typically see their best production numbers in the middle of winter, which is the opposite of what I previously thought.
So that's why we visited Northern Alberta in January…
I could write ten more pages on our visit, but I'll share the first three videos with you now. If you like big machines doing big things, these videos are for you!
ASSEMBLING AND MAINTAINING SOME OF THE WORLD'S LARGEST TRUCKS WITH FINNING CAT
BEHIND THE SCENES OF SUNCOR'S MILLENNIUM MINE
HOW DO AUTONOMOUS MINING TRUCKS WORK?
This week on Dirt Talk, host Aaron Witt is joined by Alex Horton and Mr. i_filmdrt himself, Angel Torres. Aaron and Angel recount their recent trip to Hawaii to visit Goodfellow Bros, Alpha Inc, and Truth Excavation. While there, Aaron got to do a podcast with Steve Goodfellow (DT158), as well as squeeze in a “nutz fit” workout with Kimo Clark, aka Jimmy Cheezenutz.
I’ll see you next week!