THIS IS MINING: THE PODCAST

In this episode, we’re going back to where it all begins: classrooms, conversations, and curiosity. And who better to kick things off than someone who lights that first spark every day? Chelsea Renaud, an environmental scientist who also leads education and outreach at Mining Matters, takes us on a journey through her classroom lens: what is mining, why it matters, and how she’s helping young Canadians imagine their future in this essential industry.

In Season 5 of This is Mining: The Podcast, we explore how curiosity, conversations, and classrooms ignite careers in modern mining. Through real stories, we’re connecting young minds to purpose, opportunity, and the world around them. Because every future starts with an origin story—and the future of mining starts with them. New episodes of this award-winning series, hosted by Amber Mac, coming soon! Subscribe now wherever you get your podcasts.

Join me, Amber Mac, on my very first trip underground at a mine in Sudbury, Ontario! I went 1.5km underground – that’s nearly 3 CN Towers deep into the earth! It wasn’t like anything I could have imagined. Along my trip, I connected with Shawn Sauve, Mobile Equipment Specialist; Alex Mulloy, Carbon Specialist; Christine Gasteiger, Integrated Remote Operating Centre Superintendent and Don Duval, tech entrepreneur and mining futurist.

Dawn Madahbee Leach, Chair of the National Indigenous Economic Development Board, joins us to talk about the power of resource development partnerships and careers as a route to prosperity and reconciliation in action for Indigenous peoples. We are also joined by Clyde Moonias, a member of the  Neskantaga First Nation, who’s embarking on his career ‘close to home,’ as the Health, Safety & Environment Coordinator at Wyloo’s Esker Site in Northern Ontario (formerly Ring of Fire Metals).

Ontario is facing the largest labour shortage in a generation, particularly in skilled trades. Monte McNaughton, Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development in Ontario wants young people across Ontario to know that careers in the skilled trades are meaningful, well-paying and in-demand. We are also joined by Kendra Liinamaa, a young millwright working at a nickel mine in Sudbury, Ontario who describes how she overcame her own stigma to pursue her career in skilled trades.

A career in mining is not what you think it is. Does your perception of mining today reflect the realities on the ground (or underground?) Let’s get into the facts with Ryan Montpellier, Executive Director of the Mining Industry Human Resources Council (MiHR). We are also joined by Cara Rockwood, an environmental scientist pursuing a career in mining, who is challenging her peers (and even professors!) to think of mining as an environmental field.

Let’s talk about the most important resource on earth: people. Todd Hirsh, the Modern Economist, helps us understand the current labour shortage in Canada and how we can talk to young people about their futures. We are also joined by Veronica Knott, a young mining engineer who’s found her passion and home in Canada’s mining industry.

A career today in mining is not what you think it is.

Mine life can be far from home … right at home … or home unto itself. A life of new frontiers. A life of new technologies. A life of taking care of the world around us. A life boldly driving our modern world forward, by delivering the metals and minerals that make everything possible.

Join us for Season Four of This Is Mining: The Podcast to discover mine life – and at the end of the season, I’ll take you with me on my first ever trip to a mine!

Energy security. Environmental protection. Climate action. These ambitious goals set by the Government of Canada are often viewed as at odds with each other. But are they really? Or do they collectively represent a generational economic opportunity for Canadians? Natural Resources Minister Jonathan Wilkinson, Anita Balakrishnan from The Logic and Bentley Allan from the Transition Accelerator join us to talk about opportunities and challenges facing Canada’s ambitions.

With significant incentives from both levels of government and as major auto manufacturers make significant long-term investments, a localized EV supply chain is on the horizon. When will critical minerals from the North be ready to feed the new battery supply chain? What does the future of mining for critical minerals look like here in Ontario?  Amber Mac talks to Trevor Walker, President and CEO of Frontier Lithium and Mark Selby, President and CEO of Canada Nickel to find out.