Here are what our students would like to share about their co-op experience.
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Ali Mamou
On a personal and professional level, this experience in industry has been very enriching. Being my first experience in the mining industry, it has been very beneficial for my understanding of the chosen path of study. I am confident that it will allow me to improve my performance at university by now being able to visualize what I will study. Having completed the MIME 322 fragmentation 听course, I was able to apply and improve my knowledge in the subject and I am confident about my skills if I were to work again in the drilling and blasting department. The opportunity to work within the OCP group has allowed me to meet very qualified people and to build relationships that will be used in the future. From now on, the drilling and blasting department represents a professional interest that I would like to pursue.
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Manon Lahore
During my internships at Agnico Eagle, I gained invaluable experience working at three different sites, each providing unique learning opportunities. At the Canadian Malartic Mine, I led a project focused on valorizing waste materials for construction and operation purposes, where I analyzed drilling data, assessed material properties, and collaborated with the operations team to conduct in-field testing. At the Meadowbank Complex, I carried out geotechnical inspections, performed tailings deposition modeling, and participated in a project of rehabilitating tailings ponds. My final internship at Meliadine provided hands-on field experience, where I not only conducted a pre-feasibility study for an underground fuel bay and optimized waste material disposal, but also shadowed underground mucking, production, development, and construction shifters and operators. I actively participated in drilling and loading drill and blast patterns, installed ground support, and gained firsthand exposure to the intricacies of daily mining operations. These internships not only deepened my technical skills but also gave me practical insight into mining operations, project management, and teamwork.
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Kemar Spence
During my co-op work period at an underground gold mine in Nunavut, I had an exceptional opportunity to integrate theoretical knowledge with actual application. It was an opportunity to delve into the intricate realm of underground mining. I comprehensively grasped the collaboration among several departments to facilitate seamless operations, including mucking, development, construction, and production. I observed frontline managers and mine technicians, enabling me to comprehend the distinct issues encountered by each department. This practical experience was invaluable as I followed the application of topics such as ground control, ventilation, short-term planning, and surveying in real-world contexts. Comprehending these components is essential in mining, as each decision can influence safety, efficiency, and productivity.
I resided away from home in a remote camp due to the alternating work schedule, which consisted of 14 days on, and 14 days off back in Toronto. The camp environment cultivated a robust sense of community, and my colleagues soon became like a second family.听 Moreover, participating in community outreach was one of the most memorable aspects of the experience. Our department conducted a community barbecue at Rankin Inlet to demonstrate our gratitude and reciprocate. My interactions with the local community and my comprehension of the mine's influence on the region significantly expanded my understanding of corporate social responsibility in the mining industry.
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