Alumni gather for celebration
The roots of the mining industry in Northern Ontario sink deeper than the countless resulting mine shafts do. From Cobalt to Red Lake, mining is more than just a livelihood, it is a mindset, a way of life, one that can be taught and has been since 1912.
The Haileybury School of Mines has been an integral key in the development of mining operations around the globe, known and celebrated for the quality of its graduates and the accomplishments the school and it’s students have achieved.
The school celebrated 100 years over the weekend, bringing countless alumnus thousands of kilometres to celebrate their alma mater.
“It is incredibly important to celebrate the 100th anniversary of this world class institution,” said Haileybury School of Mines alumni president Brian Dobbs. “There have been graduates from this school who have worked in virtually every corner of the globe. It is a proud moment for us here.”
Since the school became operational in 1912, it has churned out world-class geologists, mining engineers and technologists have made their mark the world over and although the schools teaching methods have changed drastically, its impact hasn’t.
“The Haileybury School of Mines is the only college in Ontario that can boast a 100th anniversary,” said Douglas Clark, associate director of the Northern College Foundation. “The school has played such a crucial role in the economic development of the whole mining industry and the development of Northeastern Ontario and Northwestern Quebec.”
Clark went on to explain the level of influence the Haileybury School of Mines had on the mining techniques and innovations that have been tried and tested in the Canadian Shield.
“The Haileybury School of Mines was integral in the development the technology we have in mining today,” he said. “The school also pioneered many of the learning techniques we use today, it truly has been the face of education within the industry.”
For Clark and Dobbs, celebrating the significant role played by the school of mines within the development of the mining industry and the communities that sank their roots deep into the Shield as a result, is a crucial one.
“We are here to celebrate the deep significance that Haileybury School of Mines has played in the creation and development of the communities across the area,” said Clark. “That, and the mining men and woman who came to Haileybury School of Mines and went on to achieve such success.”
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