The Next Generation of Mining at the Canadian Mining Games

If today’s slang is any indication – i.e.: analog, IRL (In Real Life), touching grass – being truly present is the experience young people are craving. Hands-on skills. Human connection. Learning by doing. That is exactly what the Canadian Mining Games deliver.

Held in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, for the first time since 2015, the Games brought post- secondary students from across Canada together to test their skills in mining and engineering. Nutrien was proud to support the event once again as a long-time sponsor and to lead the Mine Rescue competition, giving students applied experience with the realities of working underground where teamwork, preparedness and safety are essential. 

The Mine Rescue event itself was designed by Nutrien employees, bringing together expertise in emergency response, mine rescue and engineering from across Nutrien’s Saskatchewan potash network. The competition challenged students through a written exam, first aid simulation, a mine problem and a practical skills scenario – all of which put their knowledge of safety and emergency preparedness to the test.

“I learned how to work within a team toward a greater goal,” says Christopher. “And I gained exposure to different parts of the business—IT, finance, HR. It was incredible.”

“When designing scenarios for the Games, the team wanted the events to reflect potash mining and showcase Saskatchewan and Nutrien,” says Trevor Hallborg, Safety and Emergency Response Team Coordinator. “The students said they had a lot of fun, and they learned some things and that was ultimately our goal, so it was a success." 

Several members of the University of Saskatchewan team were also current interns at Nutrien potash sites across Saskatchewan – like Jaeden Simpson, who worked at a Nutrien Ag Solutions fertilizer facility in Humboldt before starting her internship at Nutrien Vanscoy. 

“I got to work directly with farmers and see how they are feeding the future,” says Jaedan. “Then I saw how the product comes out of the ground and gets processed. Seeing both sides of it was really awesome.”

The connection between mining, farmers and food helps make Nutrien’s purpose tangible for the next generation, a perspective that gives the work real meaning.

“Nutrien is mining potash to help feed the world,” says Josh Graham, Nutrien intern. “That brings a lot of purpose and pride. Wearing the Nutrien logo every day means something.”

Experiences like the Canadian Mining Games help students see how careers in mining contribute to something bigger, and it all starts with producing potash in Saskatchewan.