A visit underground with her father. A radio program exploring how everyday items are made. A new beginning in Canada. For IMII’s 2026 scholarship recipients, the paths into Saskatchewan’s minerals industry are as varied as the careers they hope to build.
This year, IMII is proud to celebrate seven students who are committed to shaping the future of mining in Saskatchewan. Meet the recipients of the 2026 IMII Rockstar Scholarships, the UEC Northerner IMII Rockstar Scholarship and the Al Shpyth Scholarship for Environmental Excellence.
Emma Wilmut’s connection to Saskatchewan’s potash industry began at home. Her father has worked as an underground operator at the Vanscoy Potash mine since she was born, and an underground visit with him sparked her interest in how potash is mined and transformed into fertilizer products.
Today, Emma is a fourth-year Environmental Engineering student at the University of Saskatchewan, expecting to graduate in spring 2027. She is working toward a career focused on advancing sustainable mining practices.
Through an internship with Nutrien’s Environmental Operations team for Potash, Emma gained exposure to environmental operations across Saskatchewan’s potash industry and contributed to environmental assessments, audits and reclamation-related work.
As co-president of the Environmental Engineering Student Group, she also helps organize sustainability initiatives and build industry connections for students. Her practical experience and leadership reflect a strong commitment to environmental stewardship.
The 2026 IMII Rockstar Scholarship Winners:
The IMII Rockstar scholarships are awarded to students in a mining related certificate, diploma or degree program, with an interest in pursuing careers in the mining sector. Candidates are evaluated on their academics, experience, mining related interests and contributions to their community. Consideration is also given to supporting candidates from diverse backgrounds, including women, Indigenous peoples and new Canadians.
Jocelyne Durand is charting a path toward a career in her home province through chemical engineering and mineral processing.
A University of Saskatchewan Chemical Engineering student who recently completed her third year, Jocelyne has earned a place on the College of Engineering Dean’s List for three consecutive years. She has also received the Class of 1961 Chemical Engineers Scholarship and a Nasser Family Award in Engineering.
Jocelyne is currently completing an internship at the Saskatchewan Research Council, as a Mineral Processing intern where she iscontributing to SRC’s uranium, potash and lithium projects. Working alongside process engineers and metallurgists, she is gaining experience in leaching, solvent extraction and flotation. Uranium processing has particularly captured her interest, due to its connection to nuclear energy.
Jocelyne also serves as president of the USask Sports Engineering design team, leading its executive team and managing client relations. Alongside her studies and work, she volunteers with an inner-city youth group and her church’s young adult community.
For Ibuchi Joachins Nwachukwu, a career in mining is an opportunity to bring together project management, applied engineering and responsible resource development.
A second-year Mining Engineering Technology student at Saskatchewan Polytechnic in Saskatoon, Ibuchi relocated to Canada from Nigeria in 2022 with a background in civil engineering and a master’s degree in project management. His desire to contribute to Canada’s resource sector led him to pursue mining studies.
Before returning to full-time education, Ibuchi worked as a Crew Chief at Doepker Industries, leading production teams and enforcing occupational health and safety standards. He is also a certified Project Management Professional and volunteers as an Adult Literacy Coach with Foundations Learning & Skills Saskatchewan.
His leadership experience, commitment to safety and interest in environmentally responsible resource development provide a strong foundation for his future as a mining technologist and project leader.
Kale Strelioff is turning a strong work ethic and enthusiasm for welding into a future in the skilled trades.
A student in Suncrest College’s Welding Certificate program in Yorkton, Kale graduated from Canora Composite School in June on the Honour Roll and received the Certificate of Excellence as the Top Student in Welding 30.
Growing up on his family’s farm near Canora gave Kale experience operating equipment from a young age. He now aims to complete all four levels of his welding apprenticeship, earn his Journeyperson certification and work at a potash mine near Esterhazy.
Kale completed the Saskatchewan Youth Apprenticeship program requirements during Grade 12. In June, Kale passed the Canadian Welding Bureau flat position weld test, earning a two-year certification.
Alongside his IMII scholarship, Kale received four graduation scholarships supporting his next steps in education and training.
Shelby Page’s path into mining began with a question about the materials behind everyday items.
While completing a Bachelor of Arts in International Studies at Bishop’s University, Shelby created a radio program called The Workings of the Townships. Exploring how everyday items are made revealed how deeply mining connects to daily life and sparked her interest in the industry.
After graduating with distinction, Shelby studied in Taiwan on a Ministry of Education scholarship and interned as a Policy Assistant with the Taiwan Renewable Energy Alliance.
Over the past two years, she has gained surface and underground mining experience, working as a Warehouse Technician and Driller’s Helper with Major Drilling at the Red Lake mine in Ontario. This year, she joined Cameco at McArthur River as a Warehouse Operator.
Working alongside tradespeople helped Shelby build on a lifelong interest in machines. She is now studying in the Industrial Mechanics Certificate program at Saskatchewan Polytechnic’s Prince Albert campus, with an expected graduation in 2027. Her goal is to obtain a role in the mining sector as an Industrial Mechanic or Millwright.
Experiencing the different stages of a mine’s life helped Ivan Krueger identify his future direction in geotechnical project management in Saskatchewan’s mining industry.
Ivan is a second-year Civil Engineering student at the University of Saskatchewan. After playing college baseball while studying engineering in California, he returned home to Saskatchewan and earned a place on the Dean’s List in his first year at USask.
During a summer internship with Denison Mines, Ivan observed bridge abutment installation, site grading, earthworks and aggregate crushing at the Wheeler River Project. He also created a program to track aggregate production. At Denison’s closed sites in Elliot Lake, Ivan participated in water sampling, dam stability inspections and observed tailings reclamation.
Through Denison, Ivan attended the annual Elders Gathering in Pinehouse and volunteered at an Indigenous youth summit in Saskatoon, helping introduce First Nations youth to the mining industry. His curiosity, practical experience and community involvement will serve him well as he continues his engineering studies.
Family experience and a commitment to community are helping guide Rodney Mayling toward a career in power engineering.
Rodney studies Power Engineering Technology at the Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technologies in Saskatoon. He earned his 4th Class certification in June and is now working toward his 3rd Class.
Hearing about family members’ experiences working in Saskatchewan mines helped inspire his interest in the industry. His late father’s work in STEM also influenced him from a young age. Rodney hopes to use his training to support the power systems that keep mining operations running safely and effectively.
Rodney has contributed to his community through work on the renovation of Mistawasis First Nation’s elementary school and service as a community peacekeeper. These experiences demonstrate the reliability, positive attitude and willingness to contribute that he will bring to his future career.
The UEC Northerner IMII Rockstar scholarship is sponsored exclusively by Uranium Energy Corporation and is awarded to a worthy IMII Rockstar scholarship candidate with ties to Northern Saskatchewan. Rodney is the inaugural winner of this newly established scholarship.
From mineral processing and environmental engineering to welding, industrial mechanics and power engineering, these seven recipients represent the range of talent preparing to enter Saskatchewan’s minerals industry.
IMII is proud to recognize their achievements and support the next steps in their education. Please join us in congratulating Emma, Jocelyne, Ibuchi Kale, Shelby, Ivan and Rodney. We look forward to seeing the contributions they will make to the industry and their communities.
IMII’s office is situated on Treaty 6 Territory and the Homeland of the Métis. Treaty 6 encompasses the lands of the Cree, Dakota, Nakota, Saulteaux (SO-TOE) and the Homeland of the Métis Nation. We pay our respect to the First Nations and Métis ancestors of this place and reaffirm our enduring relationship with one another and recognize the importance of reconciliation in building a shared future.
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