Past Scholarship Recipients

2020 Agnico Eagle Perseverance/Kajussissimainarniq Scholarship Recipient

Lerena recently graduated from Inuksuk High School in Iqaluit, Nunavut.  She briefly lived in Nova Scotia, and plans to return in the fall of 2021 to attend school at Acadia University where she will be studying Environmental Science.  She has played sports for her entire life, a couple of her favourites being Volleyball and Badminton. She love travelling, and recently, through her involvement in sports, as well as participation in school trips, she’s been given the opportunity to travel to amazing places like Vancouver, Red Deer, and even as far as New Zealand. After university, she hopes to continue travelling, but ultimately come back to Nunavut to help create positive change in the communities she grew up in.  Mining interests Lerena because it it is an industry that opens up doors to allow her to see the world and help the world.  [updated September 2020]

2020 Yamana Student in Mining Scholarship Recipient

John Byng is a fourth-year student completing his B.Sc. Hons. in Geology at the University of Calgary. His path has brought him from a small business owner/operator to drilling rig derrickhand and finally to his passion for geology. John completed a 12-month co-op at Fort Hills mine as an environmental advisor where he was able to experience the unique challenges that face open-pit mines. His passion for mining and exploration led to his selection as a participant in PDAC’s Student-Industry Mineral Exploration Workshop and being awarded the Raymond Dales Award of Excellence in Geology from U of C. John can’t wait to put his experience and hard work to use in the hard rock mining industry. When not doing his studies, volunteering with the undergraduate geology club, or spending time with his family, John loves shooting astrophotography and panning for gold. [updated September 2020]

2020 TD Woman in Mining Scholarship Recipient

Caitlin Fischer completed her B.A.Sc. in Geological Engineering at Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario. Caitlin began her M.A.Sc. in Geological Engineering, also at Queen’s University, in September 2020. Caitlin’s research, supervised by Dr. Mark Diederichs, involves conducting continuum and finite-discrete element modelling to compare the yield properties of GSI-based rock masses to equivalent rock masses generated using explicitly represented structure. Caitlin then aims to use her numerical modelling knowledge to simulate realistic post-yield behaviour for jointed rock masses, and finally, simulate rockbursting in deep tunneling environments. Caitlin is currently a Teaching Assistant (TA) for the fourth-year Geological Engineering capstone design course at Queen’s, following her team’s receipt of the Canadian Geotechnical Society Group Report award for their work in 2020. Caitlin is also a TA for a first-year Geological Engineering course at Queen’s, and balances both of her TA positions with her thesis and course work, centered around rock mechanics. Caitlin’s work experience with Golder in 2019 as a Rock Mechanics student in the Mine Stability Group greatly encouraged her interest in rock mechanics and expanded her work experience in the mining sector. Outside of the classroom and work, Caitlin enjoys hiking, running track, playing intramural sports, and bouldering.  [updated September 2020]

2020 Kinross Student in Mining Scholarship Recipient

Connor is a 4th year Mining Engineering student at Queen’s University. Over his past few work terms, Connor has been heavily involved within the mining industry and has gained valuable hands-on experience. This has been obtained through internships with Syncrude Canada at their Aurora North mine, as well as Teck Resources at their Fording River Operation. While at Queen’s, Connor has been heavily invested in numerous extracurricular involvements including his roles as a Metals & Mining Analyst, Peer Tutor Mentor, and most recently, current President of the Queen’s Mining Society. Upon graduation in May, Connor hopes to find himself in a meaningful role where he can continue to develop his technical skillset and make a positive impact to the future of the mining industry. [updated September 2020]

2020 Kinross Student in Mining Scholarship Recipient

Rim joined the Mining Engineering program at McGill University in 2016. Since then, she became passionate about empowering young students and women around her through various volunteering and leadership positions. She worked in Canada in project management at ArcelorMittal as well as in Morocco during an internship in drill and blast at OCP SA. These experiences gave her the opportunity to discover various cultures and languages. Rim is grateful to the YMP organization and Kinross for the support given and is actively looking for opportunities to apply her mining education and experiences.  [updated September 2020]

2020 TD Mining Capital Markets Scholarship Recipient

Angus McInnes is currently in his 3rd year of a Mining Engineering degree through the Robert M. Buchan Department of Mining at Queen’s University. While at Queen’s, Angus has explored the intersection of mining and finance through extracurricular involvement, including being a senior member in a student-run initiative for engineering students interested in capital markets and starting a personal investment club with 12 of his peers. Currently, Angus has experienced how those from different technical backgrounds collaborate to create innovative solutions for clients through two co-op terms with Ausenco Engineering in their Mining and Metals team. Following this year of study, Angus is looking forward to undertaking a 16-month work term to apply his schooling in an industry-related position. Beyond this, Angus is excited to complete his final year of study and pursue a greater understanding of mining operations to supplement his passion for finance within mining. [updated September 2020]

2020 Kinross Student in Mining Scholarship Recipient

Emika is currently in her third year of her undergraduate degree in mining engineering at Queen’s University. Emika is particularly interested in the intersection of technology and society and is passionate about optimizing mining operations while benefitting communities and prioritizing sustainability. Emika takes great pride in her community and has been involved with the Engineering Society, Women in Mining Kingston, and the Mining Society during her time at Queen’s. Some highlights of her time at Queen’s include mentoring other students as an orientation leader, and working as a consultant and IT director with FreshSight Queen’s, a pro bono management consulting club on campus. Emika is looking forward to learning more about the mining and green technologies, and how mining operations can directly benefit local communities.  [updated September 2020]

2020 Kinross Student in Mining Scholarship Recipient

Bryn Upham is a passionate miner in his final year of Mining Engineering at the U of A. Bryn worked in mine operations at Teck’s Fording River Operations for over 2 years prior to university running various pieces of equipment, working on the cable crew, and with FRO Mine Rescue. Bryn has also enjoyed 2 co-op terms (8 and 12 months) in mid and short-range planning at Suncor and Teck, respectively. Bryn is also heavily involved on campus, serving as co-captain of the 2021 mining games after being part of the last 3 winning teams – 2 as co-captain. Bryn has also served for 2 years as the voted student representative of the Mining Industry Advisory Committee to ensure the current curriculum is relevant with respect to industry needs, and that students are well positioned to drive innovation. Bryn anticipates an exciting career in mining and knows he can make a difference by respecting and listening to others and using his skills effectively.  [updated September 2020]

2019 IAMGOLD Woman in Mining Scholarship Recipient

Alex started her summer position with JDS Energy & Mining at the beginning of May. As the Junior Engineering Student, she has had the opportunity to be involved with variety of mining and construction projects. Currently she is working at New Gold’s New Afton Mine in Kamloops, BC as the Rehab and Construction Mine Operations Planner. She is excited for the opportunity to be mentored by a team of highly skilled mining professionals with diverse backgrounds and many years of experience. Alex is grateful to the YMP organization for their support and guidance as she develops her career path in the mining industry. [updated May 2020]

2019 Barrick Peter Munk Scholarship Recipient

James Comeau is a recent Mining Engineering graduate from Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Prior to Dalhousie, James completed a Bachelor of Business in Accounting from St. Francis Xavier University where he was also the captain of the varsity football team. At Dalhousie, James took on a number of leadership roles including president of both the CIM Student Chapter and Mining Student Society, and captain of the Canadian Mining Games and World Mining Competition teams. Following graduation, James is looking forward to starting his career in the mining industry as a Mining EIT at Kidd Operations in Timmins, Ontario. Before starting his new job, he has taken some time to garden, hike, and kayak before leaving Nova Scotia to explore Timmins and is excited for the new challenges, adventures, and opportunities that lie ahead.  [updated May 2020]

2019 Anaconda Atlantic Canadian Student in Mining Scholarship Recipient

Sean is now in his second year of his MSc Geology program at St FX University. He recently completed field work pertaining to his MSc research in northern Nicaragua, mapping metamorphic and igneous units. Sean is now working for his own business (Bras d’Or Exploration) in Nova Scotia after winning the Prospect Generation Challenge hosted by NextGenGeo at PDAC 2020. Sean is developing a gold project there with the assistance of Transition Metals and Tectonic Metals over the coming summer. Sean is excited for the recent attraction and investment in the resource sector of Atlantic Canada. [updated May 2020]

2019 IAMGOLD Woman in Mining Scholarship Recipient

Caitlin has now finished her B.A.Sc. in Geological Engineering at Queen’s University and looks forward to returning to Kingston for her M.A.Sc. in September 2020, under the supervision of Dr. Mark Diederichs. Caitlin will be studying the use of numerical modelling techniques to simulate rockbursting in deep tunneling and deep mining environments, and developing a risk-based rockbursting assessment tool.  [updated May 2020]

2019 Yamana Student in Mining Scholarship Recipient

Derek is currently completing his MScR at the University of Edinburgh, titled “Where curling collides with rock physics: Characterising the damage evolution of curling stones. During Derek’s studies abroad, he conducted cutting-edge research at a synchrotron facility, investigated curling stone impacts using high-speed cameras, and worked on various 3D-printing projects. Derek plans to pursue a PhD at Laurentian University in January 2021 on the trace-element chemistry of green micas associated with gold deposits.  [updated May 2020]

2019 Orefinders Innovation in Mining Scholarship Recipient

Rebecca completed her second year of a joint PhD between Laurentian University and the University of Western Australia. In the last year, she spent four months in Perth, Australia collaborating with academic and publicly-funded geoscientists, one month in the field near Dryden and Timmins, Ontario, and published a paper in Applied Earth Science. She continues to pursue collaborations that can make mineral exploration more robust and efficient through joint knowledge-data workflows, statistical analyses, machine learning, and 3D modelling.  [updated May 2020]

2019 Agnico Eagle Perseverance/Kajussissimainarniq Scholarship Recipient

Ronald Oolooyuk is an Inuk from Rankin Inlet, Nunavut. Ronald recently graduated from the Mechanical Engineering Technology program at Red River College in Winnipeg, and is currently in his second year of the Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering studies at the University of Manitoba. During his studies he has worked for the Government of Nunavut, and Agnico Eagle Mines – Meliadine.  These experiences greatly expanded his knowledge of working and mining in the far Canadian North. Outside of school Ronald enjoys working with his hands, such as fixing machinery and crafting traditional knives and hunting equipment.  Upon graduation Ronald looks forward to a long career of mining and engineering in Northern Canada. [updated May 2020]

2019 Anaconda Atlantic Canadian Student in Mining Scholarship Recipient

Kei is continuing her MSc research at Memorial University in St. John’s, NL, focused on the stratigraphy, lithogeochemistry and genesis of the mafic-bimodal Zn-Pb-Cu-Ag (Au)-Barite VMS AG deposit located near Haines, southeast Alaska. Her current tasks include petrography and immobile element geochemical analysis. She hopes to return to her field site in Alaska later this summer to relog more drill core, geologic map and collect additional geochemical samples, but this will all hinge on how things unfold with the Covid-19 pandemic. In the meantime, she have plenty of data to sort through and interpret!  [updated May 2020]

2018 IAMGOLD Canadian Female Student in Mining Scholarship

Romy began working in Suriname as a Drill & Blast Engineer for IAMGOLD’s Rosebel Gold Mine in June 2019. She has since transitioned to a Short Range Planner role in January of 2020. Due to Covid-19 health and safety measures, Romy is now working remotely to support her team and successfully keep the mine at full production. She is looking forward to returning to site when it is safe for both expatriates and nationals.

On weekends, Romy likes to scuba dive and fly Cessna 172 planes. She plans to continue to find hobbies that comply with physical distancing measures. [updated May 2020]