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.

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.

Earlier this year, Mining Matters was pleased to return to Mattagami First Nation to deliver our Mining Rocks Earth Scie...
09/09/2026

Earlier this year, Mining Matters was pleased to return to Mattagami First Nation to deliver our Mining Rocks Earth Science program to students in Grades 4–6 at Mary Jane Naveau Memorial School.

Made possible through the generous support of the Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada (PDAC), the two-day program engaged students in hands-on learning about rocks and minerals, the mining cycle, environmental stewardship, engineering, and the important role mineral resources play in our everyday lives. Students explored activities including mineral identification, water filtration, headframe engineering, and the ever-popular Cookie Mining challenge.

Mining Matters has been proud to work with Mattagami First Nation since 2015, and we are grateful for the opportunity to continue building Earth science knowledge and inspiring curiosity through hands-on learning.

Thank you to PDAC for making this program possible and for supporting meaningful Earth science education in communities across Canada.

A new school year means new opportunities to learn, explore and discover!We’re looking forward to another exciting year ...
09/08/2026

A new school year means new opportunities to learn, explore and discover!

We’re looking forward to another exciting year of bringing Earth science, minerals and mining into classrooms and learning spaces across Canada through engaging, hands-on experiences. Wishing students, educators and school communities a wonderful year ahead.

Happy back-to-school from all of us at Mining Matters!

Gypsum is more than a mineral, it helps build the spaces we live, work, and learn in every day.This soft evaporite miner...
09/07/2026

Gypsum is more than a mineral, it helps build the spaces we live, work, and learn in every day.

This soft evaporite mineral is commonly found in sedimentary rocks and is used in products like drywall, plaster, cement, paint, and even some foods.

In Canada, gypsum is mined in Nova Scotia, Ontario, Manitoba and British Columbia, connecting geology to construction, manufacturing, transportation, and infrastructure.

From mine to building material, gypsum is a reminder that minerals are part of everyday life in ways we may not always notice.

Applications for Mining Matters 2026–2027 Graduate Internship are now open!Start your journey into the minerals industry...
09/04/2026

Applications for Mining Matters 2026–2027 Graduate Internship are now open!

Start your journey into the minerals industry with real-world experience, meaningful connections, and opportunities to grow.

As part of the Education and Outreach team, Graduate Interns help deliver hands-on STEM programming, connect with youth in communities across Canada, and gain experience in Earth science, mineral exploration, mining, engineering, and sustainability.

The impact can last well beyond the internship.

Mining Matters alumni have gone on to build careers across the minerals industry, with former interns sharing how their experiences travelling, connecting with communities, and gaining hands-on exposure helped inspire their career paths.

Ready to see where your Mining Matters experience could take you?

Visit the link in our bio to learn more and apply today!

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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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