A mine hoist is the technologically advanced artery often required for productivity, energy efficiency and reliability in underground mines. As project manager for ABB's hoisting business in Canada, Darlene Spelling works on large, complex projects, and she does so at some of the most exciting mining sites on the planet. She is currently delivering brand new technology on a project in Saskatchewan, and she helped lead ABB's involvement in the memorable Mosaic K3 project, the most powerful mine hoist built in North America.
"I've had the privilege of contributing on some significant projects where we end up commissioning a mining hoist that lifts tens of tons of ore from several thousand meters depth. These are exciting projects where you learn a lot every time," says Darlene.
Leadership and problem solving
ABB is the world's only supplier of complete mine hoist systems and is involved in the customer's entire journey - from planning and design of a new mine to commissioning and maintenance. In large projects, it is Darlene's job to lead the collaboration between the project team's various competencies so that they can deliver on time and within budget. It's a responsibility that puts her leadership, planning and problem-solving skills to the test. One of the main keys to success is to constantly listen and consider the needs of the customer - an approach that Darlene developed while working in ABB's service business. If a mine or paper mill was down, the problem would be resolved quickly, no matter what time of day or where in the world the problem occurred.
"Always focusing on the customer's needs is so central," says Darlene. "In hoisting, we have all the pieces to deliver great projects, and while our engineering and development teams work very hard on the technical aspects, my role is very much about leadership and building a strong relationship with the project team, the customer and the suppliers alike, this is crucial to keeping our projects running smoothly while managing all the moving parts."
Close-knit team
ABB installed its first electrical motor for a mine hoist over 130 years ago and has since delivered over 1 000 mine hoist solutions. Like Darlene and her colleagues, the customers are based all over the world. Despite being scattered across several continents, she paints a picture of a dedicated, close-knit, high-energy team. A new mentoring program will further contribute to this, and Darlene is mentoring a young project manager in South Africa.
“I look forward to sharing my experience and getting her perspective as well. I will encourage her to make time for networking and training on a regular basis, as this is an important part of your development," says Darlene.
Over the years, Darlene has worked in Vancouver and Montreal, holding roles in finance, logistics and service. It was an offer of part-time work while taking care of her young children that once kept her at ABB. Today, it’s the exciting challenges and the flexible working environment that are important.
“Flexibility is good. I think the hybrid solutions we are creating now will make it easier for the next generation to have a good work-life balance.”
Memorable people
When Darlene Spelling is finally asked about memorable moments from her ABB career, the problems she solved and the records she celebrated are among them. And she will never forget the first time she went down a mine. But she also remembers bonding over hockey games with customers, shared experiences with colleagues and connecting with ABB employees across different countries. These personal connections and shared experiences have added depth to her personal journey.
“The most memorable things are always about people. Those you work with, sell to, or buy from. Meeting and getting to know them in these long projects, building something together, working through challenges, and then sharing the success together - that is really rewarding.”
ABB in hoisting
ABB has been a leader in developing world-class hoisting solutions for over 130 years. Powered by electricity with the possibility to run off renewable energy sources, hoists are a future-forward solution. To date, ABB has delivered over 1,000 hoisting solutions globally. As the sole supplier of complete mine hoist systems, customers can benefit from low lifecycle cost, high reliability and system availability, short project execution time, and a single source of supply for complete systems, including service and spare parts. solutions.abb/hoisting
