The student chapter was able to send three students to the SEG's 2018 Keystone conference in beautiful Colorado. The conference, held in a new city each year, was a huge success and many new friendships and connections were made. Looking forward to next year in Santiago!
A group of eleven students received the opportunity to visit a few geologically unique locations of North America with the additional funding received from the SEG sponsors. This trip began by exploring regions of the super-belt group in Lucky Friday and Gold Hunter mines – learning about the deformations induced by seismic activity, which allowed for successful mining of silver, lead, and zinc. Later students were permitted to roam in Craters of the Moon, near Arco, ID. This allowed for real-time visuals on the types of formations and environments basaltic lava can induce; including lava tubes, and cones. The trip was concluded with a drive through Yellowstone National Park. Here, students learned about the activities of an active super-volcano, and how changes beneath the earth’s surface, such as hydrothermal activity leads to the most predictable geyser in the world. Here students explored monuments such as Old Faithful, Obsidian Cliff, the Travertine Terraces, the Paint Pots, and a few of the smaller geysers leading up to the Yellowstone West entrance. Overall, it was an unforgettable experience which taught many lessons students cannot obtain in the confounds of a classroom. Two groups of SEG student members were given the opportunity to tour two SRC labs on Friday, March 27/15.
Six students traveled to SRC`s Geoanalytical lab located on the U of S campus where they were given a guided tour of the facility. The students were introduced to the equipment and techniques involved in the analysis of gold, potash, and uranium samples, and saw a technical side of the industry not commonly seen by most. A second group of eight SEG members visited SRC`s Diamond analysis lab in Saskatoon. Led by P.Geo Michael McCubbing, the students were shown the lab`s physical and chemical methods used to collect and examine both micro and macro diamonds from kimberlite samples. Modern discoveries regarding kimberlite exploration were discussed, and the students received hands on experience with handling and identification of micro diamonds with a microscope. On March 20/15, five SEG members were given an amazing opportunity to spend a weekend at the Cameco McArthur River Uranium mine.
The group was flown to the mine site on Friday where they were met by Cameco exploration geologists upon arrival. After a brief orientation, the members were given a presentation explaining the regional geology and methods being used to search for Uranium deposits. The afternoon included demonstrations on core logging and the opportunity to examine drill core from the area. The following day started off with an introduction to the mine geological team. Next, the members were given a presentation involving the geology of the McArthur River mine, the processes involved in ore recovery, and the mining challenges present in the region. Following a visit to the mine geology core shack, the students were given the opportunity to examine core from the mine and received additional information relating to the local geology. Later, the members were treated to an underground tour of the Uranium mine. The tour led the students through many different sites in the mine with the company geologists explaining the mines history, mining methods, machinery, and ore removal process. Day three involved a trip to a nearby Cameco Uranium exploration camp. Here, the students were able to see and experience the day to day operation of a Uranium exploration project. Project geologists led the students on a tour of the camp before giving a presentation on the regional geology. The members were then shown drill core of the area and were instructed to interpret and log the core and report back their findings. The day also included a trip to a drill rig on a frozen lake, which was a unique experience for the students. With departure on day four, the members agreed that the weekend was a fantastic experience with a wealth of knowledge gained into the Uranium mining and exploration industry. The sights and experience gained by the students were something that just cannot be taught in the classroom and will go a long way in helping them in their new careers. The SEG extends a huge thank you to Cameco, Alex Aubin, Brian McGill, and the many others who helped make the trip such a great success and for taking the time to pass on a portion of their knowledge to the SEG. On February 23, 2015, five members of the U of S SEG Student Chapter participated in a tour of the underground mining operations of the Mosaic Colonsay Potash Mine. Senior mine geologist Dean Gerhardt led the students through the mine and explained the ongoing mining processes and geological elements of a Saskatchewan potash mine.
On November 24/14, six members of the U of S SEG participated in a tour of the underground mining operations of the Mosaic Colonsay Potash Mine. Senior mine geologist Dean Gerhardt led the students through the mine and explained the ongoing mining processes and geological elements of a Saskatchewan potash mine.
A Student Career Night sponsored by Cameco was held Monday, Nov.17 with free pizza and beverages made available to all student guests. Four Cameco Geologists, Geophysicists and Senior Exploration Management were present with each speaking about their career paths and experiences. The speakers provided advice to students in regards to securing employment after graduation and were available afterwards for one on one questions.
On Friday, Oct 24, the U of S SEG was pleased to host a departmental talk from University of British Columbia Structural Geology professor Dr. Kyle Larson. Dr. Larson delivered a presentation related to the Himalayan mountain formation entitled, "Whence the Mountains? Recent Advances in Understanding the Evolution of the Himalaya".
The University of Saskatchewan SEG Student Chapter Lunchtime Career Talk was held at 11:30 on the 1st of October, 2014. Our guest was Amber Doney from AREVA Resources, who gave a presentation about her career choices and experience in the Uranium industry.
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