"It's a great personal challenge to be able to do something different from what everyone else is doing."

Copper-nickel ore was discovered near Sudbury in 1883 by a doctor who was looking for a man lost in the bush.

Once the ore has been mined, the next step is to extract the desired mineral. It often requires high technology to accomplish this efficiently, and this is where Nadia Patriarco's job comes in.

Nadia works with CCR Noranda as a processing machine operator. CCR Noranda produces copper by electrolysis.

Did you know? The first iron was smelted at the Forges St. Maurice just north of Trois Rivieres, Quebec, in 1737.

Along with knowing how to operate the equipment well, Nadia says that you need to have determination and strength of character to be able to stand up to the old attitudes that can still be found in this field.

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SYNOPSIS:

Since the electrolysis process runs 24 hours a day, Machine Operators like Nadia work round the clock in three shifts. They rotate shifts each week.

It's not so much the equipment that can be difficult for Nadia to handle, but more the conditions under which she has to work. She has to be in good shape and good health to be able to take the heat, especially in summer.

PERSONAL DATA:

Education: Quebec College Diploma (DEC) in fire prevention. On-the-job training with CCR Noranda

Hobbies: Workouts at the gym, works as an extra in films and commercials