by Remi Boucher, Winner, RockON Scholarship 2006-07

My Interest In The Mining Industry

Geology has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. When I was little I would sneak into my parents’ room, take their jewelry and examine the fascinating rocks and minerals on them. Growing up in Sudbury, a city based around the mining industry, it is no surprise that I have developed interest in the mining industry. It is this interest that made me decide to learn geology at the Laurentian University.

During the past few years, I have visited nickel and kainite deposits in Sudbury, an amethyst mine in Thunder Bay, an agate and garnet mine near Albany, N.Y., and also a few abandoned quarries. These visits have expanded my knowledge and passion of the mining industry and leave me even more eager to learn more about geology. I am always looking for new mines, quarries and mountains to explore and I always enjoyed going on hikes in the wilderness to find different types of rocks and minerals, which I collect as trophies. There aren’t many people I know who have explored the Sudbury basin as much as I have. This gives me great joy, not because I have beaten them to these places, but because I can tell them about my adventures. Sure, a hike in the woods doesn’t seem interesting to many people, but if you tell them you found an abandoned quarry with all sorts of different rocks and minerals left behind, they are often fascinated.

In the end, my interest in the mining industry is plentiful and my knowledge in the subject abundant. I am looking forward to university to learn more and gain experience in geology and the mining industry. There is no doubt that you will be able to find me in the mining industry in the near future.

by Sherry Brown, Winner, RockON Scholarship 2006-07

Scholarship Essay

After my post-secondary education, achieving my B.Sc. in Earth Sciences/Geology I wish to begin a career in the area of mineral exploration. I hope to carry out research and exploration for Canadian natural resources companies. I aspire to work in Canada, as Canada’s mining industry will continue to flourish in the next 50 years, due to Canada’s vast untapped mineralogical resources. As a result of Canada’s widely unexplored resources, Canada’s future place in the world will be secure in this area. I want to be a part of ensuring that this happens. As long as I can remember, I have been collecting rocks, and my father before me. My dad used to take us on rock-hounding excursions in the Ottawa area. I have been planning for a career in geology since Grade 9, however in Grade 11 I had a wonderful chance to participate in a weeklong mini-enrichment course at the University of Ottawa. This was when I got my first real taste of the earth sciences, and I loved it, which is why I applied to the universities of Carleton, Ottawa, and Brock for a B.Sc. in Earth Sciences/Geology. My ultimate plan in the future is also to attain my M.Sc. – Geology and perhaps my Ph.D.

by Darcy Moreau, Winner, RockON Scholarship 2006-07

RockON Scholarship Essay

My wish to pursue a career in mining stems from both a deep rooted family tradition and a summer job experience.

My family has a long history with mining, all at the Adams Mine in Kirkland Lake. My father was warehouseman, my grandfather was a plant foreman, and my uncle was a loader operator. Each of them have years of experience, and have passed down great stories of their work and comradeship at the job. I thank my family for supporting my decision, and intend on finishing college so that I also have the opportunity that they had to work in such a prestige industry.

As for myself, I had the opportunity to work in a mining related field this past summer. I worked as a Field Assistant for Gisborne Associates doing field exploration work for Placer Dome. My job consisted of retrieving soil/rock samples, trench mapping, and researching mining projects. My job opened my eyes to mining and has given me the opportunity to understand the skill and determination one needs to succeed in the business.

With the long history of mining in my family, and the simple fact that my very own experience opened me up to this large industry, it only seems right that I belong in mining.