BACKGROUNDER

Mining has become a driving economic force of the North with the discovery of substantial diamond deposits. However, mines in the NWT are struggling to meet northern and Aboriginal employment targets due to the lack of a trained and readily available northern mining workforce. Currently there is a serious and ongoing shortage of skilled, northern underground miners, as well as a lack of training facilities and equipment needed to build the necessary capacity for Northerners to fully participate in the mining sector.

To date, the majority of diamond mining jobs have centred on open pit mining. However, mining companies such as BHP Ekati and Diavik are going underground, and DeBeers' Snap Lake mine is being constructed as an underground mine. The operation of underground mining equipment is different than surface or open pit equipment and drives the need in the North for underground mine skills development programs.

To build the capacity of Northern participants and take advantage of economic opportunities in the local mining industry, Aurora College and the project partners, including Indian and Northern Affairs Canada, BHP Billiton Diamonds Inc., Diavik Diamond Mines Inc., De Beers Canada Mining Inc., and the Government of the Northwest Territories are partnering to purchase one full-scale and three desk-top underground mine training simulators. Computerized programs will lead the participant through a series of job-related manoeuvres similar to those performed on the job. The simulators are realistic and provide a hands-on learning experience, allowing participants to learn how to operate the equipment without the inherent dangers and risks of operating the actual machinery. The desk-top simulators are easily transportable and can be used in communities throughout the NWT to expose students to the experience of using underground mining equipment, and to generate interest in mining occupations.

The Targeted Investment Program (TIP) is part of Indian and Northern Affairs Canada's Strategic Investments in Northern Economic Development (SINED) - an initiative which aims to establish strong foundations for economic development. TIP funding is guided by a multi-year investment plan for each territory, and focuses on four main investment areas: building the knowledge base, enhancing the infrastructure base, increasing northern capacity, and economic diversity.

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