The 1st Annual Core Days were held in La Ronge on May 24 and 25, 2017. The event was designed to promote the minerals industry as well as the businesses and local labour force that supports it. Approximately 150 people attended the event, representing junior mining companies, mine operators, education, business, and the general public.
Day One – New College Programs Focus on Mining Studies
On the first day, participants learned about the courses and developments at Northlands College’s new Mine School. They talked to students who explained their studies in mining technologies, and the students also tried their skills at operating a scoop tram or drill on Northlands’ mine equipment simulators.
The afternoon featured the Grand Opening of the Mine School, and an announcement about a new program – Pre-Engineering and Science (PRES), created through a partnership between the University of Saskatchewan and Northlands College. The program will provide the foundation for northern students who want to build their studies in geology, engineering and many other natural science fields.
Day Two – Technical Presentations
The second day featured technical presentations from the Saskatchewan Geological Society and Saskatchewan Mining Association. These were followed by a detailed overview of Silver Standard’s exciting new gold zone, the Santoy Gap, and information on their new project, which has very similar geology. The final technical session was provided by Nex Gen Energy. The speaker described the known magnitude of their Arrow high-grade uranium deposit, which is shaping up to be a world class, basement hosted, uranium deposit close to existing infrastructure.
After the technical presentations, six Lifetime Achievement and 41 Long Term Service Awards were given to northerners who have dedicated their careers and their businesses to exploration and mining. The Lifetime Achievement Awards went to Andrew Gracie, the Knudsen family, Klaus Lehnert-Thiel, Charlie Cook, Vern Studer, and Robertson Trading. The event then moved to the Pre-Cambrian Geological Laboratory and adjacent lot for a fish fry and to view interesting drill core samples from the laboratory and private collections.
Success! Promoting Saskatchewan!
We believe we met our goal of promoting the Northern Saskatchewan minerals industry, our minerals service sector, and our workforce. We are already starting to see benefits, such as requests for core viewings at the lab, as well as training and hiring discussions.
Everyone who attended the conference came away with renewed interest in the mineral potential of northern Saskatchewan and the abilities of the regional service sector and labour pool. For all conference presentations and documents go to http://kcdc.ca/coredays/.
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