Rory’s Story
Rory Oberhelman is a Senior Project Coordinator and has worked on the project for seven years, and is now part of NewRange Copper Nickel.
Rory didn’t start out in mining and never thought he would end up in the industry. He studied business management and outdoor leadership at the University of Minnesota – Crookston. After graduating, he worked for the state of Minnesota in permitting and environmental compliance. Through that work, he met members of the PolyMet team, which sparked his interest in the NorthMet project. When the opportunity arose to be a part of something new, to create a new culture and build a new, world-class mine on the Range, Rory jumped at the chance, saying he felt it was a “really good opportunity, and it was exciting to be able to be part of such a big project in northern Minnesota.”
His past experience includes construction and timber logging in Alaska, so “this was right up my alley of being able to get back in the field with contractors, and I would have been doing it from a compliance standpoint,” he says. His first position at the company was as an environmental specialist who liaised with contractors. He has since worked his way up to his current role, and said that “to stay with NewRange, to have to bring in the experts from around the world, from Glencore and Teck, with the merger, it was a no-brainer. It’s a great opportunity and we get to work with some outstanding people.”
The fun thing about his job is that it’s always changing. Depending on what comes down the pipeline, it can change daily. Being part of the project team right now, he works on the prefeasibility studies, helping with both the NorthMet and Sunrise projects. Rory also works closely with the construction manager and led last year’s administrative building renovation projects. Rory tends to be involved with anything that’s construction-based, whether he plays a leadership or supporting role. With the warmer weather, he has been more involved with continued building renovations and security-related projects. The aspects he enjoys the most about his job are the variety, the challenges, and the people. “I like the people, and it’s fun. So there’s a lot of laughing, but, you know, we get a lot done.”
One of Rory’s interesting projects was installing view links at wells across the mine site, which allowed the team to go from visiting the wells in person to tracking cellular data transmittals. NewRange was one of the first in the country to utilize VuLink, a monitoring technology that measures fluctuations in the water level every six hours, providing the environmental team with significant baseline data.
Rory tends to be a man of many hats, stepping in to help where he can. Most recently, he served as a member of the scholarship committee and presented student awardees with their scholarships at high school ceremonies this year. He has also helped with United Way fundraising and volunteered with the Mineland Vision partnership for 10 years.
When asked what his advice would be for people looking to enter the mining industry, Rory said, “Be willing to work on different projects. Say yes to requests and be a positive individual. I think that makes a big difference.”
Quick Questions
What do you wish more people knew about mining?
That modern mining is not the same as it used to be. Regulations and technology allow us to mine responsibly, and society depends on minerals for everything from medicine to infrastructure. This project can be a real benefit to our state and community.
What drew you to work for NewRange specifically?
It’s a good group of hard-working, fun people. We’ve grown a lot over the past few years. But it’s like your second family. Do you spend just as much time here as I do at home? And we’re all reaching towards and working for the same goal, so we have a great culture.
What aspect of your work at NewRange are you most proud of?
We’re a pretty open company, and we’re easy to reach out to and talk to. We’re working with the local communities and Tribes as we move forward in this project. That comes very much from the top. That’s good leadership from Tannice and the Board, so I’m very proud of how the upper-level management takes this so seriously within our state.
What are your favorite parts about living on the Iron Range?
As someone who lives in Hibbing, I would say that Lake Vermillion and Voyageurs National Park are two of my favorite parts of living in northern Minnesota. We do a lot of camping as a family in the summer, boating, and just having access to all the lakes and the Boundary Waters.
When you’re not working, where can someone find you?
My daughter is involved in the Hibbing Archery Club, so both she and I shoot there. We do try to spend a lot of time outside. We do a lot of camping from ice off until ice on, and we love boating and fishing. Music is also a big part of our lives. My kids and wife both love music and like to sing, and I’m teaching my daughter how to play guitar.