Mining is working for Nunavut, and the proof is in the pudding, as they say.
Today we are seeing more and more Nunavummiut finding meaningful jobs in mining. We are seeing Nunavut mining business on the rise and more mining taxes and royalties flowing to public and Inuit governments than ever before.
But that doesn’t mean we can sit back and relax.
More opportunities are available and we want Northerners to learn how to seize them. Our mines are looking for more Nunavummiut to take well-paying and interesting jobs. They'd like to do more business.
To help them achieve that – and to help people learn more about just how mining works for Nunavut and how they might become involved in it – the Chamber of Mines has launched a public awareness initiative named Mining North Works! A big goal of the Mining North Works program is to "demystify" mining. Another is to attract people into mining jobs.
We invite you to learn more through our new website: www.miningnorthworks.com.
Uncertain of just how mining works?
The menu item 'How it Works' covers mining history, geology, and some key 'big picture' statistics. You’ll also learn about the mining cycle, which spans decades and includes many phases; starting with exploration and concluding with closure and reclamation. Learn how communities and regulators are involved throughout; and how local residents benefit from employment opportunities.
Looking for a mining job? What kind of job?
Besides the people who blow up rocks and drive trucks, did you know there are more than 150 types of jobs at a mine?
The employment opportunities that come from exploration and mining are enormous. Close to 500 Nunavummiut fill our mines’ workforce already. But there's a huge opportunity to increase these numbers, and this is one of the key goals of MiningNorthWorks program.
Check out the web site's careers section. It not only identifies the many jobs at a mine, but highlights and profiles many of our current mines' workers. See who you might know, and what they do, and what skills are required to do their job.
Look for our Nunavut career catalogue, which we'll upload shortly to the web site.
Mining is a very important business for Nunavut. It's gone from zero mines in 2009, to four mines in 2019. Jobs are on the rise, business is growing, and governments are benefitting, which means we are all benefitting.
The opportunities that the minerals industry provides are enormous and exciting. You can be part of it, and you can learn more about it.
We invite everyone to come and learn more about MiningNorthWorks!
This is a guest op-ed written by the NWT and Nunavut Chamber of Mines.