S-IMEW Where are they Now?

McGill University Geologist, Agnico Eagle Mines

Aidan Ditchburn-Trout

McGill University Geologist, Agnico Eagle Mines

Experiencing LaRonde's underground mine and witnessing the grandeur and size of the development.

Amy Nelson

GIS Analyst, City of Grande Prairie

Amy Nelson

GIS Analyst, City of Grande Prairie

Going underground in Val D'or was something that really opened my eyes about mining. I ended up working at a gold mine afterward and having that exposure to the underground ahead of time helped prepare me for what to expect. I am currently working in GIS but hope to get back into geology in the near future with my own company.

Anne Belanger

Dalhousie University Project Geologist - Modeling, Teck Resources

Anne Belanger

Dalhousie University Project Geologist - Modeling, Teck Resources

Leading up to S-IMEW I had little interest in participating in the mineral exploration industry after graduation. Throughout S-IMEW we were exposed to so many elements of the mineral exploration and mining industries, and we were shown that the industry is really trying to become more socially responsible. My perspective of the industry changed and I was immediately drawn to pursue a career in mineral exploration. The relationships created with fellow S-IMEW students, staff and volunteers are an integral aspect to S-IMEW’s long-standing beneficial impact on my life and career.

April Bertrand

Laurentian University Mine Geologist, Kirkland Lake Gold Inc.

April Bertrand

Laurentian University Mine Geologist, Kirkland Lake Gold Inc.

Although I now work in the production sector, my summers as a student and my first job post-graduation were in exploration. S-IMEW was the first in-depth experience where I was able to physically see all of the steps from mineral exploration to deposit definition to mine operation. I think having experience in both exploration and production is a significant asset to any geologist's knowledge base, and I am still overwhelmed by all that I was able to see and learn in such a short time during S-IMEW. I also found it a comfortable, intimate setting for innumerable networking opportunities that were second to none. To say the least, it's an event not to be missed!

Ayat Baig

Brandon University Geologist, Hemlo Mine, Barrick Gold Corp.

Ayat Baig

Brandon University Geologist, Hemlo Mine, Barrick Gold Corp.

S-IMEW was an invaluable experience. The evening talks in particular were inspiring and the site visits gave me insight into the broad scope of the Canadian mining industry and the great people working in it.

Benjamin Williams

Saint Mary's University Senior Geologist,Transition Metals Corp.

Benjamin Williams

Simon Fraser University Director, Corporate Development & Sustainability, Ero Copper

Saint Mary's University Senior Geologist,Transition Metals Corp.

S-IMEW, a transformative experience, holds a special place in my heart as it played a pivotal role in shaping my career trajectory. Networking with like-minded individuals during the events proved to be an invaluable experience, exposing me to a diverse array of opinions and experiences within industry. The collaborative environment fostered rich discussions and exchange of innovative ideas, significantly influencing my personal and professional growth. This unique platform continues to cultivate connections which are instrumental in navigating and shaping my career path.

Brett Hannigan

S-IMEW 2009

Brett Hannigan

S-IMEW 2009

Simon Fraser University Director, Corporate Development & Sustainability, Ero Copper

My fondest memory of S-IMEW 2009 was hearing Keith Barron talk about his career and in particular the discovery of Fruta del Norte in Ecuador, which interestingly enough has just reached commercial production! I also met an incredible group of students at S-IMEW, many of whom I am still in contact with!

Brianna Sejourne

University of Ottawa Exploration Geologist, Casa Berardi Mine, Hecla Québec

Brianna Sejourne

University of Ottawa Exploration Geologist, Casa Berardi Mine, Hecla Québec

S-IMEW is the best thing that has happened to me in geology! Having participated (2008), volunteered (2010), and worked (2011-2013) for S-IMEW I have since accumulated a wealth of knowledge, networking skills and confidence that has been my “golden ticket” to success. From the field trips and lectures led by experts along with their imparted passion, commitment and guidance I can honestly say S-IMEW is the foundation on which I was able to place the building blocks for my career. Now here I am a successful exploration geologist! Thank you S-IMEW staff/volunteers, sponsors, and students - YOU ROCK!

Bryan Farbridge

British Columbia Institute of Technology Chief Planning Engineer, Hecla - Lucky Friday Mine.

Bryan Farbridge

British Columbia Institute of Technology Chief Planning Engineer, Hecla - Lucky Friday Mine.

S-IMEW gave me an opportunity to see an entirely new segment of the industry; several deep underground mines, a smelter, and two mining districts with unique geology and mining challenges. Although my career has taken me more towards the production mining side of the industry, the geologic foundation that S-IMEW helped build has been extremely valuable. The networking opportunities were excellent, and I continue to stay in contact with several people from that group to this day.

Candice Ying Woei Ooi

University of Toronto
Geologist-in-Training, TMAC Resources

Candice Ying Woei Ooi

University of Toronto
Geologist-in-Training, TMAC Resources

S-IMEW is an eye-opening experience which gave me better understanding in both exploration and production geology through mine visits and technical sessions. This experience allowed me to connect with industry professionals which has helped me a lot in navigating my careers and motivated me to strive in the mining industry.

Carl Corriveau

Université du Québec à Montréal Vice President Exploration, Sayona

Carl Corriveau

Université du Québec à Montréal Vice President Exploration, Sayona

Looking back at this amazing opportunity, my fondest memories include the instant camaraderie felt between myself and the other students from all over Canada right from the beginning and the numerous great field visits organized by the S-IMEW. I also really enjoyed interacting with academics and industry professionals so early on in my career. Many thanks to the PDAC and S-IMEW for organizing this high quality workshop for Canadian geoscientists students!

Chelsea Bell

Senior Geologist, Nevada Gold Mines

Chelsea Bell

Senior Geologist, Nevada Gold Mines

My fondest memory of S-IMEW was seeing the komatiites and discussing the temperatures and conditions that are needed to form these unique deposits. The incredible mine tours opened my eyes to the world of mining and now I have chosen to focus my career on production geology in one of the biggest gold districts in the world!

Chris Voisey

Memorial University of Newfoundland

Chris Voisey

Christopher Beckett-Brown

Memorial University of Newfoundland

S-IMEW was an outstanding opportunity to interact with all facets of the mineral exploration industry, from specialist insights to practical hands-on experience. Being able to network with a group of people who all share a passion for Earth Sciences was so liberating. After all, without the community, we'd all be weirdos rambling about rocks. My fondest memory was cruising around Sudbury in the Anne-Van with a group of strangers who quickly became friends I still keep in contact with today.

Laurentian University Surficial Geochemist, Ontario Geological Survey - Ministry of Mines

Christopher Beckett-Brown

Laurentian University Surficial Geochemist, Ontario Geological Survey - Ministry of Mines

My fondest memory of S-IMEW was the networking opportunities. Although the in class and hands on activities were exemplary, the networking opportunities truly stood out for me. Throughout the entire S-IMEW experience there were endless opportunities for students to network with career professionals from a vast range of backgrounds. With such a tightly knit mining and geoscience community, networking is ever so important. S-IMEW really provided that push out of my comfort zone which helped develop my networking skills and create some valuable long lasting relationships

Danica Pascua

University of Toronto Production Geologist, Cochenour Mine, Goldcorp Inc.,

Danica Pascua

University of Toronto Production Geologist, Cochenour Mine, Goldcorp Inc.,

S-IMEW helped me become more confident in myself when networking. I now enjoy meeting new people and don’t shy away from it like before, allowing me to form and expand my network in the industry.

Daniel Gregory

Assistant Professor, Economic Geology, University of Toronto

Daniel Gregory

Assistant Professor, Economic Geology, University of Toronto

During the S-IMEW trip I most enjoyed visiting the different sites to see evidence for the impact model for the Sudbury deposit. I have since used photos from that trip in outreach activities during my time at the University of California, Riverside. It allowed me to get some economic geology into outreach session for the NASA Astrobiology institute, something that would have been otherwise quite difficult to do.

Dante Huff

McGill University Manager of Global Project Marketing, EMX Royalty Corp.

Dante Huff

McGill University Manager of Global Project Marketing, EMX Royalty Corp.

I cannot recommend the S-IMEW experience highly enough. Although the workshop classes and exercises were effective and convinced me I wanted a career in mineral exploration, the true highlight of S-IMEW for me was spending two glorious, fun-filled weeks with an amazing group of students who would become my industry peers. In this setting, it is impossible not to make friends and lifelong contacts who now live across the country. Another major advantage of S-IMEW is that it allows students at the beginning of their careers to meet influential members of the mining community, a feat difficult to duplicate.

David Murray

Resourceful Geoscience Solutions

David Murray

Resourceful Geoscience Solutions

S-IMEW has had a profound impact on my career and in none of the ways I expected. The friendships forged with my workshop colleagues has been a a true gift professionally. Beginning my career with that strong network of peers already in place lead to professional opportunities I could not have anticipated and am forever grateful for.

Derek Woodford

Cambrian College Senior Geological Technologist, Vale

Derek Woodford

Cambrian College Senior Geological Technologist, Vale

As a mature student returning to school after two decades proved to be rewarding. My nomination to be part of S-IMEW came as a surprise, which I graciously accepted. The industry experts you meet on this excursion will help your future career. The other winners of the program in 2010 were fantastic and their diversity and receptiveness made the experience a success for all involved.

Dr. Roisin Kyne

Lakehead University Post Doctoral Fellow, Irish Centre for Research in Applied Geoscience (iCRAG), University College Dublin

Dr. Roisin Kyne

Lakehead University Post Doctoral Fellow, Irish Centre for Research in Applied Geoscience (iCRAG), University College Dublin

S-IMEW is an incredible and unique experience I have yet to encounter anywhere else in the world and one that helped solidify my career as a geoscientist. Not only did it afford an incredible networking opportunity, S-IMEW introduced me to aspects of the business and practical side of the industry that I had not been exposed to previously. I also developed a number of fantastic relationships with fellow geoscientists from all over Canada who I run into everywhere in the world. The geology community is small and to have been given an opportunity to meet so many amazing people has been fantastic for me and will no doubt help enhance my career.

Duncan MacKay

Simon Fraser University Senior Modelling Geologist, Pan American Silver

Duncan MacKay

Simon Fraser University Senior Modelling Geologist, Pan American Silver

Participating in S-IMEW further kindled my love for geology and working outdoors. My fondest memories of the course are the new friendships, gaining knowledge and insight into different facets of the industry, and being inspired by meeting other women in mining.

Dustin Dahn

University of Victoria Bedrock Mapping Geologist, New Brunswick Geologic Survey

Dustin Dahn

University of Victoria Bedrock Mapping Geologist, New Brunswick Geologic Survey

S-IMEW helped me become more confident with applied aspects of geology through field trips, mine tours and mapping exercises. At S-IMEW I was exposed to aspects of geology that I did not learn at university and I really enjoyed discussions and networking opportunities with fellow students from across Canada.

Édouard Côté-Lavoie

Université du Québec à Chicoutimi M.Sc. Candidate, Université du Québec à Chicoutimi

Édouard Côté-Lavoie

Université du Québec à Chicoutimi M.Sc. Candidate, Université du Québec à Chicoutimi

I have a full two-weeks of fond memories in my head, but the contacts and friendships I've made at S-IMEW are what's the most important. Nowadays, a career in the mining industry is based on your business contacts, and S-IMEW gave us this opportunity to meet important players in multiple domains of the industry. I knew I wanted to be a geologist, and I now I'm really sure it's the place I want to be! By doing this workshop, PDAC reaffirms it's position as a leader in the mining industry and every past and future S-IMEW'ers are grateful for this opportunity.

Erin Adlakha

St. Mary's University Assistant Professor, Saint Mary's University

Erin Adlakha

St. Mary's University Assistant Professor, Saint Mary's University

My fondest memory of S-IMEW was the opening keynote speaker- Eira Thomas. It was very inspiring to hear from such a successful and respected woman in our industry. Her talk was so eloquent and engaging, you could have heard a pin drop in the room: she had everyone's attention.

Forest Pimm

University of Victoria
Environmental Scientist, SLR Consulting (Canada) Ltd.

Forest Pimm

Brock University
Fluvial Geomorphologist In Training, AECOM

University of Victoria
Environmental Scientist, SLR Consulting (Canada) Ltd.

I remember S-IMEW being different from what I expected - in a good way. I anticipated learning only about what mining and exploration geologists would encounter in their careers, but instead I was shown how the mining industry incorporates many other streams of science and engineering. I learned I could be a practicing geologist, work in the industry, and not work at a mine. This was a key lesson leading me to where I am now working on contaminated sites across BC and the Yukon as an environmental scientist. Thank you S-IMEW for helping me find my dream job!

Francisco Amaya

S-IMEW 2019

Francisco Amaya

S-IMEW 2019

Brock University
Fluvial Geomorphologist In Training, AECOM

Made long lasting connections with other young professionals. S-IMEW also taught me the importance of a responsible mining industry.

Frank Joris

Western University Micro-Seismic Monitoring Station Installation Technician

Frank Joris

Western University Micro-Seismic Monitoring Station Installation Technician

My fondest memory of S-IMEW is sitting at a table talking about geophysics with one of the company reps, who is now a friend of mine. We had two different people come to sit down and talk with us, find out what we were talking about and leave.

Grant Hagedorn

University of Guelph Quaternary Geoscientist, Ontario Geological Survey

Grant Hagedorn

University of Guelph Quaternary Geoscientist, Ontario Geological Survey

S-IMEW was a fantastic experience. The knowledge and passion from instructors and fellow students inspired me to push forward into the world of geology. I made many life-long friends with fellow students that has helped with my career but also if I needed a place to crash when coming through town!

James Macdonald

University of Manitoba
Consulting geologist and prospector, Heyday Geological Consulting

James Macdonald

University of Manitoba
Consulting geologist and prospector, Heyday Geological Consulting

This workshop introduced me to the diversity of careers of the mineral exploration industry and helped me to find my role in the sector.

Jeremy Hanson

Simon Fraser University President, Hardline Exploration Corp.

Jeremy Hanson