The challenge provides access to modern mineral exploration data to “bridge the real-world skills gap” by working collaboratively on an unstructured problem (i.e. one without a pre-ordained “right” answer).  Our intention is to build on both your university-acquired and collaborative group skills with relevant software applications used in mineral exploration.  We want you to think differently, be creative and innovate without boundaries. Think of something no one has done before and if you are not sure find a mentor that can provide you with an industry perspective!   Think how your innovations can add value to the mineral exploration industry and make future employers take notice.  

The minimum is two and the maximum is eight.

All final PowerPoint submissions will be made publicly available on our website. You need to obtain all relevant permissions and keep confidential any proprietary technology, data, etc. However, we do request that you cite any use of proprietary technology, data, etc.

You are free to take an environmental approach provided there is an exploration context. We need to remind ourselves that explorers are now required to take on a broader role to exploration (ambassadors) with context to economic, social and environmental impacts. It speaks to “front end loading.”

Yes, up to the submission date.

Yes, we encourage it. See the “Integration” section of the Assessment Rubric.

This is a great way to utilise mentors and your extended network! We suggest that you provide them with the Guidelines for Mentors link on our website, so they understand the role of mentors. Also, please ensure that they understand that all final PowerPoint submissions will be publicly available after the finalist presentations at the PDAC Convention in case they have certain restrictions or confidentiality agreements in place. You need to obtain permissions and keep confidential any proprietary technology, data, etc.; however, we do request that you cite any use of proprietary technology, data, etc.

You can use any software you choose to use; we do state this in the submission guidelines. In fact, this is a potential area for innovation. Through the Seequent sponsorship, software is available to teams that prefer Leapfrog Geo and Oasis montaj or have no other choices available to them.

Yes, this is acceptable to both organisations given that both challenges will make any submissions publicly available to the exploration community. Please note that each challenge has a different submission format.