NOVEMBER 2011
Picture This! MiHR's inaugural photo contest captures student experiences in Canada's mining industry
Hello mining students!
This fall, the Mining Industry Human Resources Council (MiHR) launched a new photo contest for post-secondary mining students on our Mining Students of Canada Facebook page. This contest engaged the mining student community and provided a platform for students to share their work and co-op experiences in the Canadian mining industry in a creative format. The contest asked students to showcase their love of mining and photography by posting their best original photos to the Mining Students of Canada Facebook Wall and was open to any student studying a mining related discipline in a Canadian post-secondary institution.
Students had the option of submitting photos in four distinct categories: Techno-Mine; Safety First!; Adventures in Mining; and Mining with Integrity. The contest was a success! There were 28 original photo entries received and students from across Canada voted for their favourite photo in each category by 'liking' the photo on the Mining Students of Canada Facebook wall. The contest closed on October 7th, 2011 and the winners of each category receive a $50 Mountain Equipment Co-op Gift Card.
• Techno-Mine: The mining industry uses technology in so many new and exciting ways - show us the coolest technology you have seen in mining/or in the classroom
Raja Yarra for his picture of St. Andrew Goldfields, Hislop Mine
"Big, loud, underground. Three words sum up my summer adventure at St. Andrew Goldfields Based out of Matheson, Ontario. I loved every minute of it. This picture shows some of the equipment used in mining and why we need our PPE (personal protective equipment)," explains Raja, a student at Brock University studying Earth Science. He intends on graduating in 2013 and would like to join the exploration industry for some experience before he pursues a graduate degree.
• Safety First! It's our industry's motto - show us how you have seen Safety First in action in a mining workplace/school
Meaghan Francis for her picture of Pickle Lake, Ontario Geological Survey
"We had to end the day early in Pickle Lake, Ontario when the wind changed direction and blew the smoke from the forest fires in our direction, reducing the visibility to 3/8 miles," recalls Meaghan, a Brock University student studying Environmental Geoscience. She intends on graduating in April 2014 and is interested in a career which involves field work. After working with the OGS this past summer, she is interested in a career in geomorphology. As well, she hopes to get her APGO as soon as possible.
• Adventures in Mining: The mining industry offers so many opportunities in extreme environments - share a picture of your mining adventure
Meaghan Francis for her picture of a double rainbow over Noront Esker Camp
"The picture was taken this summer, near Webequie, Ontario, after a rain storm," recalls Meaghan.
Congratulations Meaghan for winning two of the four categories!
• Mining with Integrity: The mining industry is changing and there are some great environmental and social initiatives happening in the industry - show us how mining is creating a better world
Anthony Bauer for his picture that illustrates the reclamation of oil sands land as pasture land
"Syncrude and other lease sites are helping to sustain Wood Buffalo herds in Alberta and contributing to a genetics preservation project," explains Anthony, a Masters Student at the University of Waterloo, studying aquatic toxicology, specifically with reference to oil sand contaminants. He will be graduating in the summer of 2012 and intends on continuing his studies in pursuit of a PhD, after which he intends on pursuing a career in the area of aquatic toxicology.
Congratulations to our three winners and thank you to all of the students who made this inaugural photo contest a success by submitting photos and/or voting for the best images! To view all contest entries, please visit the Mining Students of Canada Facebook page.
If you missed the contest this year, not to worry! Keep your cameras packed and ready for your next co-op and internship as MiHR will be running this photo contest again next fall. We look forward to seeing more amazing images from students as you experience the Canadian mining industry in 2012!
