This article was provided by the Ontario Mining Association (OMA), an organization that was established in 1920 to represent the mining industry of the province.
Congratulations to the dozens of new graduates from three Mining Matters Aboriginal Youth Camps held recently. With the support of Ontario Mining Association member Noront Resources, these special week long educational camps for Aboriginal youth were held in Webequie, Marten Falls and Thunder Bay.
Close to 100 people graduated from these three programs in Northwestern Ontario. While most of the participants were children of elementary and high school age, there were a number of adults who took part in the course at Confederation College in Thunder Bay, which did a first-rate job managing and hosting the educational program.
Each camp was five days in length and it offered students the opportunity to gain knowledge about Earth science and the mineral industry through hands-on learning and activities. The camp involved classroom and field lessons. Topics covered included basic geology and the structure of the earth, GPS and compass work, prospecting, line cutting, geochemistry, biodiversity, health and safety, mining operations and career options within the sector.