Mineral Exploration Techniques

Credential Earned: College Certificate (1 Year)
Campus: Distance
Program Length: 2 Semesters
 

M049 (CH) – Distance (Spring Field School in Timmins

 

This program will not be running for the 2025-2026 Academic Year.

Northern’s Mineral Exploration Techniques certificate will give you the knowledge and skills you need to be a valued member of a mineral exploration team. It’s an exciting career for those that enjoy working in the outdoors helping with the many tasks involved in exploring for and evaluating new mineral deposits.

Combining on-site and distance learning, this full-time one-year program ends with an eight-day field school where you’ll get to practice carrying out basic and geological field and exploration methods you’ve been taught during the year. You’ll carry out activities such as practicing compass use, map orientation, field notes, sample collections, field description of rocks, mineral identification, map making, grids and grid mapping, drill core logging and more. Along the way, you’ll gain comprehensive skills and a broad understanding of one of the world’s biggest growth industries.

Coursework covers everything from ore signatures and environmental practices, to bush safety and survival. You will be prepared for a wide range of jobs, including lab assistant, geological technician, and quality controller.

This program of study also opens the door to continuing studies at the Haileybury School of Mines.

The modular format and distance delivery of this program provides the flexibility for students to study while maintaining their employment and caters to students in remote northern communities.

Graduates are ready to enter the job market with a College certificate after only one year of study.
 

 

 

Certificate to Diploma: Graduates of the Mineral Exploration Techniques program may choose to continue their studies in the Haileybury School of Mines – Mining Engineering Technician Diploma program at Northern College, with advanced standing in three common courses.

 

Certificate to Diploma to Degree: Once graduates of the Mineral Exploration Techniques certificate program have successfully completed their Mining Engineering Technician diploma program, they may be eligible to enrol in the Bachelor of Mining Engineering Technology degree (BTech) from Queen’s University (blended learning format) in two additional years plus a bridging semester.

 

 

Upon the completion of the Mineral Exploration Techniques program, graduates will have a broad understanding of the mineral exploration industry and how it relates to mining.

 

Students will graduate with a comprehensive range of skills required to be immediately employable in the mineral exploration industry including sampling, geological surveys, fieldwork and GIS. They will be mindful of health and safety, ethical practices, environmental sustainability and societal conscientiousness. Graduates may find employment as: Geological Assistant/Technician, Core Technician, Lab Assistant, Field Assistant/Technician, Geophysical Assistant/Operator, and/or Sales Representative.

 

 

2024-2025 Academic Year
Semester 1

• CM1323 Professional Communications
• MA1100 Mathematics I
• MX1003 Introduction to Mineral Exploration
• MX1013 Sampling Methods and Protocols
• MX1023 Introduction to Geology and Geomorphology
• MX1033 Mineral Exploration Workplace Best Practices

Semester 2

• GN1443 Indigenous Culture & Awareness
• MX2003 Introduction to GIS Applications
• MX2004 Mineral Exploration Field School
• MX2013 Geophysical Methods in Mineral Exploration
• MX2023 Environmental Best Practices in Mineral Exploration
• MX2033 Fieldwork, Mapping and Orienteering
• MX2063 Geochemical Methods in Mineral Exploration

 

Note: Check with the institution regarding start/end dates, prices, and delivery method. These may vary according to program, section, and/or semester.