City gears up for Sudbury Mining Week

Organizers of the 18th annual Sudbury Mining Week are digging in for what they anticipate could be the busiest year ever, according to a news release.

Mining Week runs April 27 to May 5. It includes a series of fun events throughout the community to educate and excite young people about the future of mining innovation in the Greater Sudbury region.

Events include the MineOpportunity games at Dynamic Earth and an interactive Career Fair at the New Sudbury Shopping Centre, where young people can get career mentoring advice from industry leaders.

Nicole Tardif, chair of the event, has been a volunteer with Sudbury Mining Week for years. She said there is no doubt that the buzz surrounding the mining sector right now is already having an impact on the events.

“Many of our events, like the MineOpportunity Games, are already filled to capacity, and we’re working on ways to allow more students and teachers in,” Tardif, who teaches in the Earth Sciences at Laurentian University, said in the press release.

“It really does reflect the excitement and growth we are seeing with the city’s mining and technology sector. The support we are receiving from leaders in mining and the community is unbelievable. We’ve had a record number of sponsors come on board and our volunteer committee is growing by the week. This is an exciting time to be in mining – and the future only looks brighter.”

Dick DeStefano, the head of the Sudbury Area Mining Supply and Service Association (SAMSSA), is this year’s honorary chair. He points out that there is a huge demand coming for skilled workers and innovation leaders in the mining sector.

“This is why events like Sudbury Mining Week are so important,” DeStefano said. “This week represents economic growth, community building, scientific and technological innovation, and a sense of what it means to be a tight-knit community that is being recognized as an international centre of mining and technology excellence. Our youth need to be educated, parents need to have the facts, and we need to work together in order to get the message out that we are all proud to be a part of a strong mining community.”

Leading up to Sudbury Mining Week, there are some “virtual events” happening, including a photo contest with the winner receiving an underground mine tour. For details and information about all the events, visit www.sudburyminingweek.com.

As well, Sudbury Mining Week is on Facebook and Twitter – and everyone who “likes” or follows Sudbury Mining Week will have their name entered into a draw for an iPad3.

Posted by Arron Pickard