October 23rd, 2025 | 2-minute read

Northern Ontario students compete in MineOpportunity Challenge

Over 350 students from English and French High Schools across Greater Sudbury and Espanola participated in a unique event allowing them to explore careers in the mining and automotive industries in fun and engaging ways. The MineOpportunity Challenge, a collaboration between Modern Mining and Technology Sudbury (MMTS) and the Goodman School of Mines, took place on October 22nd at Laurentian University.

October 22, 2025 – Over 350 students from English and French High Schools across Greater Sudbury and Espanola participated in a unique event allowing them to explore careers in the mining and automotive industries in fun and engaging ways. The MineOpportunity Challenge, a collaboration between Modern Mining and Technology Sudbury (MMTS) and the Goodman School of Mines, took place on October 22nd at Laurentian University.

MineOpportunity has been played by local students for 20 years. Since its inception in Sudbury in 2005, it has been brought on the road to schools in North Bay, Timmins and Thunder Bay. This most recent event was the largest ever, welcoming grade 9-12 students from 6 English and 6 French schools to learn through play about the many facets of Canada’s mining industry, from geology and engineering to governance and social responsibility.

Teams of students worked together to make “money” by building mines, finding answers to industry-related questions, and completing hands-on activities to become the “wealthiest” team. First, Second, and Third place prizes were awarded to Junior and Senior category teams.

Local groups and industry professionals from mining sector companies also interacted with students to answer questions and lead activities relevant to their operations.

“The MineOpportunity Challenge is a fantastic way for high school students to get to know the vast array of careers available to them in the mining industry,” said Nicole Tardif, Program Coordinator for the Goodman School of Mines and Chair of MMTS. “Our goal is to show the next generation of the workforce that mining doesn’t look the same as it did fifty years ago; it's exciting, diverse, and full of potential.”

The event is part of several events happening during Sudbury Mining Week this year (October 16-23).

To learn more about MineOpportunity, visit: https://laurentian.ca/academics/schools/goodman/events-and-activities/mineopportunity

To learn more about MMTS and Sudbury Mining Week, visit:

www.moderinmining.ca
Media Contact:
Nicole Tardif, Program Coordinator, Goodman School of Mines, Laurentian University
705-507-3109 ntardif@laurentian.ca