Mine Shovel Safety as a Core Value, Not a Box to Check
Our combination of technical expertise in the surface mining industry and values-driven decision-making has helped OSSP earn the trust of mining operations and electric shovel fleets not just in Canada’s oil sands, but across the globe.
In the surface mining sector, safety protocols are often seen as compliance measures; they are rules to follow to avoid penalties. At OSSP, we see them differently. For us, safety is about protecting people, the land, and the equipment that drives productivity. It’s about preventing incidents before they happen, creating a work environment where every worker in and out of heavy machinery feels confident that they can do their job without unnecessary risk.
Mine Shovel Safety Equipment
That’s why our flagship product, the Mine Shovel Safety Satellite, is expertly designed and crafted by inter-provincially certified journeymen to eliminate one of surface mining’s most persistent hazards: manual handling of energized cables. One safety bulletin reported numerous high-risk incidents, including cable damage from falling rocks, crushing, or improper routing, which lead to risks of electric shock, burns, fire, and equipment failure. (Scribd, 2016)
By enabling electric mine shovel operators to reposition trailing power cables directly from the cab, our engineered cable satellite ball helps protect personnel from electrical shock, moving machinery, and unstable terrain.
Mine Cable Satellite Ball Fabrication and Engineering That Respects the Land and the Work
Our Métis worldview shapes the way we design and manufacture. Oil sands mining and other surface mining operations push heavy equipment and their wear parts to the limit, so we create safety accessory products that last longer, withstand more abuse, and perform in extreme climates, from the -40°C winters of Fort McMurray’s oil sands in Northern Alberta to the high-heat operations of African gold mines.
Durability in mining operations isn’t just an economic advantage; it’s also an environmental one. The longer a product lasts, the less frequently it needs to be replaced, meaning fewer resources are consumed, fewer materials end up in landfills, and fewer interruptions occur on site.
Proven Beyond Borders
While OSSP is proud to be a local Fort McMurray business operating in the Alberta oil sands region, our products have been tested and proven in mining regions around the world. With clients like Centerra Gold, IAMGOLD Corporation, Barrick Mining Corporation, Suncor Energy, Imperial Oil, and Newcrest Mining, our Mine Shovel Safety Satellite has been shown to withstand torrential rains, clay-heavy soil, searing temperatures, constant UV exposure, and ore-rich dust and sand.
Across all these environments, one fact remains the same: when trailing cables and mining crew members are protected, uptime improves, safety incidents decrease, and productivity rises.
A Commitment That Extends Beyond the Mine Site
Being a Métis-owned company means our success is measured in more than sales. It’s about building relationships, sharing knowledge, and giving back to the communities and industries we serve. Whether it’s collaborating with mine operators to customize solutions, or supporting local organizations and workers, OSSP is committed to shaping a safer, more sustainable future.
The Vision Behind OSSP: Denis’s Story
For Denis Lacoursiere, founder and owner of Oilsands Shovel Products Ltd., mining safety isn’t just a business opportunity: it’s a personal commitment shaped by decades of hands-on industry experience. As a certified Journeyman welder with decades of experience in the industry, an aerobatic flight pilot, and a proud Métis entrepreneur based in Fort McMurray, Denis saw first-hand the value of persistent safety measures in a variety of fields, including the risks workers faced in oil sands mining, particularly when it came to the manual handling of electric rope shovel trailing power cables.
“Whether I am executing a precision loop in an aerobatic plane or overseeing the production of mining equipment, safety starts with meticulous planning, strict adherence to protocols, and never cutting corners.”
– Denis Lacoursiere
This drive to create safer, smarter, electric shovel mining equipment and accessories, led to the development of OSSP’s flagship innovation: their mine cable satellite dubbed the Mine Shovel Safety Satellite. Denis’ observations from oil sands engineers and tradespeople in the local industry led him to design a solution that could withstand the harshest mining conditions while removing one of the most dangerous tasks miners face. The result was a rugged, high-visibility satellite system that enables operators to move cables without ever leaving the cab of their electric shovel machinery.
For Denis, each product OSSP develops is guided by the same principles:
- Respect for the worker — ensuring safety is never compromised.
- Respect for the environment — building durable equipment that reduces waste and resource use.
- Respect for the industry — delivering reliable solutions that mining crews can count on, shift after shift.
His vision continues to shape OSSP’s approach today, ensuring that every electric shovel accessory solution is designed not only for technical performance, but also for the people who use it and the land where it’s deployed.
Local Helicopter Delivery to Lessen Your Downtime
At OSSP, we know downtime in the oil sands and surface mining industry costs money, and sometimes, waiting days or weeks for mining equipment just isn’t an option; studies show that unplanned downtime can cost up to $180,000 US per incident (DPFGuys, Web Source).
That’s why we’re proud to offer local helicopter delivery to oil sands operations across the region to better support Fort McMurray businesses. When critical electric shovel safety components and trailing cable accessories are needed, we can get them to your mining site fast, no matter how remote the location.
In mining, reliability isn’t just about the equipment you install: it’s about the people who stand behind it.
Proudly NAABA-Certified
OSSP is honoured to be a full member of the Northeastern Alberta Aboriginal Business Association (NAABA), a regional organization that promotes and supports businesses that are at least 51% Aboriginal-owned and locally operated in the Fort McMurray & Wood Buffalo region.
This certification reinforces what has always been true for us: as a Métis-owned business, we’re committed not only to delivering reliable surface mining solutions but also to building shared economic prosperity in our community. NAABA membership strengthens our connections with local operators, opens doors to meaningful procurement opportunities, and keeps us grounded in the intergenerational values of Indigenous entrepreneurship.
With this community tie, each product we design is not just tested for performance: it’s shaped by relationships, accountability to our region, and the belief that mining innovation can, and should, benefit everyone.
More Than Mining Equipment
Our products may be built from industrial-grade materials, but they’re driven by human values and expertise, the kind that prioritizes people, safety, and long-term thinking. OSSP is more than a supplier; we’re a partner committed to helping mining operations work smarter, safer, and with greater respect for both people and the environment.
In an industry where every decision carries weight, our commitment is simple: deliver electric shovel mining equipment and mining safety accessories that stand up to the toughest conditions, and hold true to the values that make us who we are.