Dirty, dangerous and physically demanding.

That’s how many young people think of the mining industry in Canada these days. Sure, it might yield well-paying jobs that come with benefits, but the reputation of the industry — including its environmental footprint — is deterring many from even considering the field as a potential career option. Fewer people are enrolling in disciplines like geology, Earth sciences and engineering that are geared toward mining, according to industry groups. One survey says attracting people to the field is a “nearly existential challenge.”

With Canada vying for a top spot in the rush for critical minerals — like manganese for wind turbines, cobalt for electric vehicles and tellurium for solar panels, each of which is widely considered crucial for a low-carbon economy — the industry sees that as a bit of a problem.

There are plenty of examples that contribute to the industry’s poor environmental reputation: think of British Columbia’s growing mining liabilities problem, the Mount Polley mine disaster or the decades-long pollution emitted by sites like B.C.’s Tulsequah Chief mine or the Yukon’s Faro mine.

But there’s also great potential in a younger generation keen on finding new ways to do things better.

“It was really exciting to have conversations with young people in mining who were eager to talk about the environmental challenges that inherently come with working in the industry,” B.C. mining reporter Francesca Fionda told me.
 

While pickaxes and the prospect of dusty job sites aren’t really selling points for young people, a new look for the industry just might be. That’s why industry groups are trying to promote positive attitudes about mining, with financial help from the feds, using outreach and education programs that highlight the need for a transition to a green economy — and even using TikTok. 

But young people aren’t persuaded by ads and marketing campaigns alone. They want to see the industry grapple with its flawed history and address its environmental and ethical challenges.

“The importance of more honesty and transparency came up a few times in interviews as well as in conversation with people at an exploration conference in Vancouver earlier this year,” Francesca said. 

We’ll continue to report on the mining industry goings-on — the good, the bad and the future, as far as we can tell. Until then, read Francesca’s in-depth story here.

Take care and rock out,

Karan Saxena
Audience engagement editor

This week in The Narwhal