When Janice Wallgren left Mississauga to study mining engineering at the University of Toronto, she never imagined she’d one day be mine superintendent at one of Northern Ontario’s major gold mining operations – The Borden Mine, located just outside the town of Chapleau.

“I’ll be honest — 20 years ago, I didn’t even know where Chapleau was,” she laughs. “I told myself I’d try mining for a year. If I didn’t like it, I’d switch. Here I am, two decades later, still in mining.”

As our Mine Superintendent at Borden Mine, Janice oversees mining activities at one of Canada’s most innovative underground operations — one that clearly demonstrates how mining can not just co-exist, but can make a positive contribution, to small-town life in northern Ontario.

A Journey Built on Curiosity and Opportunity

Her mining story began in Red Lake, where a university field trip led to a co-op placement. That early exposure to mine engineering sparked a lifelong passion for solving complex problems and working underground. When she heard about the Borden project — then in its infancy — she jumped at the chance to gain experience in mine operations,  electrification and environmental management.

“I came over as a senior engineer when we were still in development,” she says. “We hadn’t taken our first ore yet, and it was exciting to be a part of a new mine being built from the ground up.”

Over the years, Janice worked her way through technical services, planning, and ventilation design before taking on her current leadership role overseeing more than 150 employees and contractors on site.

The Next Chapter at Borden

With Discovery’s recent investment, Borden is experiencing a wave of optimism and renewal. “There’s been a real energy boost since Discovery came to site,” Janice says. “We’re exploring new zones, modernizing our fleet, and even looking at more electric equipment options. The ore body is still open at depth and in multiple directions along strike — there is still a lot more of Borden to be discovered.”

Four diamond drills are currently active underground, and an exploration rig is setting up on surface. That activity, she says, is fueling excitement among crews and the local community alike.

Small-Town Living, Big-Time Impact

For the past eight years, Janice has called Chapleau home — a community of around 2,000 people once defined by lumber and rail that has embraced mining as part of its next chapter. “It’s been great to help the community understand what modern mining looks like,” she says. “We’ve supported local clubs and groups, and you can really feel the pride growing here.”

Outside of work, Janice is also a figure-skating coach, a lifelong passion she’s shared with local youth. “When I first came, they had to bring in a coach from Timmins,” she recalls. “Now the club has doubled in size — from 25 to over 50 members — and we’ve developed local coaches right here in Chapleau.”

Her typical day begins early, balancing life as a superintendent and mother to a three-year-old daughter. “My husband and I both work at the mine, so our mornings are busy,” she smiles. “But, being able to come home every night, take my daughter to the park, and see her learn to ride her bike — that’s the best part.”

Inspiring the Next Generation

When asked what she would say to young people considering a mining career, Janice doesn’t hesitate. “Take the plunge,” she says. “Mining is always changing, always challenging, and there’s so much to learn — especially here in northern Ontario. It’s an industry where you can keep growing, no matter where you start.”

For someone who began with a one-year plan, Janice Wallgren has built a career — and a life — that proves that the north’s opportunities are unlimited.