On the heels of its Student Agriculture Day on Tuesday, the Horizon School Division gave students a chance to see the many possibilities of career in mining with their Student Mining Day at the Uniplex on Wednesday.
Over 500 Grade 11 students from 27 different schools in the Horizon School Division spent the day learning about the impact mining has not only around our region, but also from a global perspective.
The morning session began with keynote speakers including Ryan Morelli, Chief Geologist and Executive Director from the Ministry of Energy and Resources, and a former resident of Humboldt.
Morelli was excited to return to his hometown and speak about the career possibilities within the mining sector.
“It's sort of come full circle where I started my education here. I've gone on to many other institutions and had a lot of experience in different parts of the province and around the world and now to be able to come back and share that with the students here the importance of mining to the province, it's been really great and rewarding and it's really nice to see all the students here engaged and learning more about the industry.”
During his presentation, Morelli discussed how when he was growing up in Humboldt, he wasn’t aware of the potential careers in geology and its connection to the potash mines around the area.
“That information wasn't always around in the past, but now, more and more companies and people involved in the in the mining sector are putting on days like this and getting the message out and sharing the importance of the industry to the problems and providing, information on the opportunities that exist for people in the province.”
Morelli noted a reason he really enjoys working in Geology is understanding the earth and mineral resources that make a global impact.
“Being able to translate that into a career where you know you see the benefits to people every day whether it's people of the province where the mining of the resources here contribute to the economy of the province, but also you know, the production of those minerals and the benefits to people around the world and in using those minerals.”
Along with Morelli, Board Chair Garth Anderson and Director of Education Kevin Garinger provided opening remarks for the students.
That was followed by an interactive presentation from BHP that showcases the impact they make not only here in the region with the Jansen mine, but also from a global perspective.
The students then separated into groups where they met a variety of exhibitors ranging from post-secondary institutions who provide the education required to enter the workforce with a career in mining, along with potential companies that can offer the students a career involved in mining.
There were also exhibits that gave the students a firsthand look at the equipment, tools, and products that could work in their potential careers.
Morelli hopes the students were able to walk away from the student mining day with knowledge and information about the mining industry and the career possibilities that exist within it.
“They may not have known some of the opportunities that exist or some of the important roles that support the mining industry in the province. Just having that knowledge and who knows down the road it they may go straight into a career that leads to the mining industry or you know it may be something they keep in the back of their mind down the road, that opportunity presents itself, and they walk away with some knowledge that will help with that.”
Below are some pics from the Student Mining Day