The IMII School of Mining: Building a Stronger Understanding of Saskatchewan’s Mining Industry

“I learned more in three days than I could have in months.”

That comment, shared by one participant after this year’s inaugural IMII School of Mining, captures the experience of attendees. Bringing together early-career professionals and those looking to deepen their understanding of Saskatchewan’s mining industry, the three-day program gives participants a broader perspective on the people, processes and innovation behind one of the province’s most important sectors.

Building a Foundation

Mining is often viewed through the lens of what happens underground or at a processing plant. In reality, it is a complex industry that relies on expertise across many disciplines, from exploration and geology to engineering, environmental stewardship, operations and business planning.

Designed as an immersive learning experience, the IMII School of Mining helps participants connect these pieces together. Through presentations, discussions and real-world examples, attendees gain a practical understanding of how the mining lifecycle unfolds and how different professions contribute to its success.

For many participants, one of the biggest takeaways was seeing the industry as a complete system rather than a collection of individual jobs or technical processes.

Lori attended to deepen her existing understanding of the sector. “The sessions highlighted everything that happens before processing even begins,” she shared. “It gave me a much better understanding of the planning and expertise involved in modern mining.”

Others were equally impressed by the level of innovation taking place across Saskatchewan’s mining sector, leaving with a new appreciation for the expertise and collaboration behind developing and operating the provinces’ mines.

Learning From Experience

One of the defining features of the School of Mining is the people teaching it.

Rather than learning solely from textbooks or theory, participants heard directly from experienced professionals who have spent decades exploring for mineral deposits, designing mine sites, solving complex engineering challenges, leading operations and advancing innovation throughout Saskatchewan’s mining sector. Academic experts add another valuable perspective, creating a learning environment that connects fundamentals with real-world practice.

This combination gives participants access to knowledge that is difficult to find anywhere else.

Kevin Hall, one of this year’s instructors, emphasized the value of this mentorship: “Participants gain perspectives that would otherwise take years to develop. Having so many experts in one place to share their knowledge is incredibly rare and valuable.”

For many attendees, these conversations became one of the most valuable parts of the program. Being able to ask questions, discuss real situations and learn from people who have navigated the industry’s challenges helped bring classroom concepts to life while reinforcing the importance of passing knowledge to the next generation of mining professionals.

Seeing Mining Through a Systems Lens

Participants arrived with a variety of goals, from understanding technical processes to exploring career opportunities within the mining and minerals sector. Regardless of their starting point, many left with a broader appreciation for how different components and professions contribute to a successful mining industry.

Shiva, a Mechanical Engineer-in-Training who transitioned from biomedical engineering, found the course essential for connecting her daily tasks to the bigger picture. “Every presentation connected directly back to the real projects and challenges we encounter,” she shared. The takeaway was clear: it takes a village—from tradespeople to researchers—to build a successful industry.

Beyond the technical learning, participants also valued the opportunity to connect with peers from different organizations, disciplines and career paths. Those conversations broadened perspectives, created new professional connections and reinforced the collaborative nature of Saskatchewan’s mining industry.

Looking Ahead

When asked what advice they would give future course participants, attendees didn’t hesitate.

“If you have the opportunity to attend, take it. The amount of knowledge you gain in just three days is incredible.  It’s practical, relevant, and taught by industry experts with real-world experience.” — Ahmad, Solution provider

“I’ve learned so much about the mining process and the many different roles people play throughout the industry. The work is really quite incredible. I also think it’s important for people to understand how responsibly the industry operates. When people don’t know much about mining, it’s easy to focus only on negative perceptions. Seeing the amount of planning, engineering, regulation, and care that goes into mining operations gave me a completely different perspective.” — Teri, Academia

“This course provided me with a broad understanding of numerous topics that would otherwise have taken years of cross-disciplinary experience to acquire.” — Ryan, Mining

“If you’re looking to build a strong foundation and gain a better understanding of mining in Saskatchewan and the industry as a whole, the School of Mining is an excellent place to start. It’s a great introduction to the opportunities, challenges, and innovation happening across the sector.” — Cameron, Solution Provider

In just three days, participants gained a holistic understanding of mining and strengthened ties with sector peers and mentors.

By bringing together industry leaders, academic experts and emerging professionals, the IMII School of Mining is strengthening the talent, collaboration and shared understanding that will support Saskatchewan’s mining industry for years to come.

The IMII School of Mining is offered to IMII members at a preferred rate, but is publicly available to anyone interested in learning about the Saskatchewan mining industry.  Watch for more information about the next edition of the IMII School of Mining, planned for June 2027.