Mining Matters

Mining Matters The organization provides current information about rocks, minerals, metals, mining and the diverse career opportunities available in the minerals industry.

Mining Matters is a charitable organization dedicated to educating young people to develop knowledge and awareness of Earth sciences, the minerals industry, and their roles in society. Mining Matters is a charitable organization dedicated to bringing knowledge and awareness about Canada’s geology and mineral resources to students, educators and the general public. Mining Matters offers exceptional educational resources that meet provincial curriculum expectations, created by educators and Earth science experts. Mining Matters has reached more than 800,000 teachers, students and members of the public since inception in 1994. Our mandate at Mining Matters is to broaden students’ understanding of Earth science and the vital role rocks, minerals, metals and mining play in everyday life and increase awareness of the many career opportunities in the minerals industry.

Platinum is more than a symbol of rarity and achievement; it is a critical mineral that supports technologies used in tr...
10/12/2026

Platinum is more than a symbol of rarity and achievement; it is a critical mineral that supports technologies used in transportation, healthcare, energy, electronics, and industry.

This dense, silvery-white metal is valued for its durability, corrosion resistance, and catalytic properties. Platinum is used in vehicle emission-control systems, hydrogen fuel cells, medical devices, cancer treatments, electronics, glass manufacturing, and jewellery.

In Canada, platinum group metals are often recovered alongside nickel and copper. Ontario, particularly the Sudbury Basin, plays an important role in Canadian production and provides a strong connection between geology, critical minerals, and modern technology.

From mine to medical treatment, platinum is a reminder that mineral properties can shape how materials are used throughout society.

Hands-on learning, new discoveries, and a closer look at careers in the minerals industry!For more than a decade, Mining...
10/09/2026

Hands-on learning, new discoveries, and a closer look at careers in the minerals industry!

For more than a decade, Mining Matters has been proud to work with the Outland Youth Employment Program (OYEP), which provides Indigenous youth with hands-on employment, training and learning experiences that build skills and introduce future career pathways.

This summer, we spent two days with OYEP participants at Sandbar Provincial Park exploring Earth science, mineral resources and careers in mineral exploration and mining. From examining rocks and minerals under microscopes to exploring Mining Needs You career resources, participants connected hands-on learning with the many career possibilities available across the industry.

We were also proud to present participants with certificates recognizing their accomplishments and giving them something tangible to add to their resumés as they build toward future employment opportunities.

Our sincere thanks to the incredible teams Outland Youth Employment Program for welcoming Mining Matters once again. This year’s Mining Matters programming with OYEP was made possible with the generous support of Mining Needs You partners: Industry Human Resources Council (MiHR), Mining Association of Canada (MAC), Gold Council, and Developers Association of Canada (PDAC). Together, they are helping us continue to build mineral literacy and connect Indigenous youth with future career possibilities.

Ready to take your science degree beyond the classroom?Mining Matters is looking for a recent graduate in Earth Sciences...
10/08/2026

Ready to take your science degree beyond the classroom?

Mining Matters is looking for a recent graduate in Earth Sciences, Geology, Environmental Science or Science Communication for a 12-month internship.

Gain hands-on experience in science communication, education and outreach, while travelling across Canada, building your professional network and gaining valuable exposure to the mining and natural resources sector.

Build your skills.

Grow your network.

See where a career in science can take you.

Ready to get started?

Learn more and apply: https://miningmatters.ca/join-our-team

We're looking back at a wonderful partnership with Fury Gold Mines that brought hands-on Earth science learning to secon...
10/06/2026

We're looking back at a wonderful partnership with Fury Gold Mines that brought hands-on Earth science learning to secondary students in the Cree Nation of Eastmain through a series of interactive virtual workshops.

Students explored the fascinating world of rocks, minerals and mining while discovering how mineral resources are used in everyday life. Through hands-on activities and discussion-based learning, they also learned about the diverse career opportunities available in Canada's minerals industry.

Thank you to Fury Gold Mines for partnering with Mining Matters to help bring engaging Earth science learning to students in the Cree Nation of Eastmain.

May Junior Explorer Challenge: NewfoundlandDid you know that a small town on “the Rock” once sparked a silver rush? In A...
10/05/2026

May Junior Explorer Challenge: Newfoundland

Did you know that a small town on “the Rock” once sparked a silver rush? In Argentia, Newfoundland, prospectors discovered galena, a lead ore that can host silver, and believed they had found something big. But mining isn’t always easy. The silver was trapped in hard rock, and the shining dream of striking it rich didn’t last long.

Even so, Argentia didn’t fade away. Today, it’s a busy industrial port connecting Newfoundland to the global trade network, proof that one place can reinvent itself again and again.

Your challenge:
Read the story Argentia: The Land of Silver and Second Chances. Use the story and the given clues to complete a crossword puzzle.

Deadline: May 31, 2026

One lucky explorer will win an amazing tech prize!

Start the challenge here:
https://miningmatters.northernminer.com/

Good luck, Junior Explorers!

What treasure is hiding more than 1,000 metres beneath the Saskatchewan prairie?The October Junior Explorers Challenge i...
10/05/2026

What treasure is hiding more than 1,000 metres beneath the Saskatchewan prairie?

The October Junior Explorers Challenge is here!

This month, young explorers ages 9–17 are heading beneath Saskatchewan’s wide-open prairie to discover the story of potash, also known as “pink gold.”

Travel back more than 350 million years to discover how an ancient sea created Saskatchewan’s vast potash deposits. Then put your geology and engineering skills to work as you investigate how miners reach this valuable resource deep underground and follow potash from mine to meal to discover how it helps grow the food we eat every day.

READ the story,
EXPLORE the challenge,
WIN amazing tech prizes!

Deadline: October 31, 2026

The Junior Explorers Challenge is presented by Northern Miner, Mining Matters and Alamos Gold

What does it take to build a strong headframe?Indigenous youth participating in the Outland Youth Employment Program (OY...
10/02/2026

What does it take to build a strong headframe?

Indigenous youth participating in the Outland Youth Employment Program (OYEP) in Birch River put their engineering, creativity and problem-solving skills to the test during hands-on programming with Mining Matters.

Through challenges such as designing and building their own headframes, participants explored the important role engineering plays in mining and discovered how science, technology and problem-solving come together across the minerals industry. Along the way, they investigated Canada’s critical minerals, robotics in mining and learned about the many people and careers involved in finding, developing and responsibly producing mineral resources.

For one participant, a key takeaway was learning “how many jobs there are and how complex mining actually is.”

That discovery is an important part of our work at Mining Matters. We help young people see beyond the mine itself to the diversity of skills, occupations and career pathways that make the modern minerals industry possible.

Our sincere thanks to the teams Outland Youth Employment Program for welcoming Mining Matters and creating such an engaging environment for learning and discovery. With the support of Mining Needs You partners Industry Human Resources Council (MiHR), Mining Association of Canada (MAC), Gold Council, and Developers Association of Canada (PDAC), we were pleased to provide youth with hands-on experiences that brought STEM, mineral literacy and career exploration together.

Congratulations to Cassandra, the winner of our August Junior Explorers Challenge! 🎉As our August winner, Cassandra is t...
09/25/2026

Congratulations to Cassandra, the winner of our August Junior Explorers Challenge! 🎉

As our August winner, Cassandra is taking home a Lenovo Laptop!

This month’s challenge had Junior Explorers learning all about copper and the many ways this important metal is used in our everyday lives.

One thing that surprised Cassandra most was discovering how copper becomes something we rely on every day:

“It’s surprising that you can turn a mineral into wiring.”

And her advice for other young explorers thinking about joining the challenge?

“It's a great challenge for kids that teaches you about rocks and minerals and you can win great prizes!”

Congratulations again, Cassandra, and thank you for being such a curious Junior Explorer! 🌎

Think YOU could be our next winner?

The Junior Explorers Challenge is free to enter and open to youth ages 9–17 across Canada. Complete a new challenge each month for your chance to win amazing technology prizes!

Visit the link in our bio to join this month’s challenge!

Attention Teachers! A limited number of Mining Matters Field Trip Subsidies are available for the 2026-2027 school year!...
09/14/2026

Attention Teachers!

A limited number of Mining Matters Field Trip Subsidies are available for the 2026-2027 school year!

Since 1994, we’ve helped bring Earth science learning to life by subsidizing transportation and entrance fees for trips to quarries, rehabilitated mine sites, museums, science centres, and more.

Thanks to PDAC and SGS Canada for making this program possible.

Apply today to secure funding for your class!

Link in bio!

Congratulations to Nash, the winner of our August Junior Explorers Challenge! 🎉As our August winner, Nash is taking home...
09/10/2026

Congratulations to Nash, the winner of our August Junior Explorers Challenge! 🎉

As our August winner, Nash is taking home a Meta Quest Headset! Through the Junior Explorers Challenges, Nash has discovered just how many metals and minerals are part of the technology we use every day—and where those materials come from.

"I was most surprised by the amount of different minerals and where they all come from."

The challenges have also changed the way Nash thinks about everyday objects:

"Yes, it makes me think more about how everything we use comes from the Earth."

Congratulations, Nash, and thank you for being such a curious Junior Explorer! 🌎

Think YOU could be our next winner? The Junior Explorers Challenge is free to enter and open to youth ages 9–17 across Canada. Complete a new challenge each month for your chance to win amazing technology prizes!

Visit the link in our bio to join this month's challenge.

Address

1102-150 Ferrand Drive
Toronto, ON
M3C3E5

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

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