• Jobs
  • Digital Edition
  • Press Releases
  • Buyers’ Guide
  • TNM Maps
  • Profile
  • Sign out
  • Regions
    • Canada
    • United States
    • Australia, NZ & South Pacific
    • Mexico and Central America
    • North America
  • Commodities
    • Gold
    • Copper
    • Diamonds
    • Silver
    • Zinc and Lead
    • Nickel
    • Uranium
    • Iron Ore
  • Commentary
    • Commentary
    • Editorial
  • ESG
    • Indigenous Issues
    • Sustainability
    • Environment
  • Suppliers & Equipment
    • Machinery and Equipment
    • Machinery and Equipment Maintenance
    • Technology & innovation
  • Events
    • Canadian Mining Symposium | October 12 + 13, 2023 | London, UK
    • Superior Glove Webinar | August 15, 2023
    • Upcoming Events
    • Submit an Event
  • Contact
  • Subscribe
    • Magazine
    • Newsletter
  • Advertise

Letter to the Editor

Bruce Downing | September 26, 2022 | 9:20 am

I have been a geologist in the classroom teaching from kindergarten to grade 7. I always begin with the question “what have you done today that did not involve a mineral?” Ice is a mineral. Even oxygen owes its existence to minerals. Soil (B and C horizons) is made up of minerals which release various elements (K, Mn, Ca, Mg, etc.) that a plant needs to grow. Also, microbes need some similar elements. Plants and trees generate oxygen via photosynthesis. After many discussions, the students understand that minerals are involved in everyday life. I rarely discuss mining per se.

Most mining and exploration companies extol their virtues but fail to engage students and the public. Companies should send their geoscientists into a classroom to engage students in the art of rock and mineral collecting and what they are used for, not spend money on advertising.

Tell a person, they forget. Show a person, they remember. Engage or involve a person, they learn. Minerals are in everything we do; they are the basis of our planet. Mining industry is very poor at public relations. The public is more related to everyday life of what mineral extraction brings and does, not necessarily the number of jobs. What does mining do for the whole community is very important. If you use a cellphone, then you are pro-mining. 

—Bruce Downing, MSc, PGeo, FGC, FEC (hon)


Related Posts

Carney courts First Nations at major projects summit amid ongoing concerns

July 17, 2025

Carney courts First Nations at major projects summit amid ongoing concerns

International research team using AI to boost mining

July 16, 2025

International research team using AI to boost mining

Canadian mining union denounces U.S. copper tariff

July 16, 2025

Canadian mining union denounces U.S. copper tariff

Building an integrated critical minerals sector in Canada

July 15, 2025

Building an integrated critical minerals sector in Canada

ICI Innovations awarded contract to build centralized data platform

July 15, 2025

ICI Innovations awarded contract to build centralized data platform

Comments

Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Subscribe
Digital Edition

Editions

  • Subscribe
  • Digital Editions

About

  • Media Kit
  • Contact Us
  • Policies and Terms

The Northern Miner Group

  • TheNorthernMiner
  • Mining.com

Canadian Mining Journal provides information on new Canadian mining and exploration trends, technologies, mining operations, corporate developments and industry events.

Funded by the Government of Canada
© 2025 The Northern Miner Group, All Rights Reserved