Minerals and Mining Strategy
Northern Solutions to Develop Mining Talent, Research, and Innovation
Purpose
Laurentian University’s Minerals and Mining Strategy outlines a vision to strengthen Laurentian’s role as Canada’s Mining University during a period of geopolitical change, critical mineral demand, and rapid technological transformation.
This web page signals direction, invites collaboration, and guides implementation and deployment of our strategic goals.
Why Laurentian?
Laurentian University is uniquely positioned to support the future of mining through:
- Its location in one of the world’s largest integrated mining clusters (Greater Sudbury);
- Proximity to globally significant geology and over 140 years of active mining;
- A 65+ year legacy in mining education, research, and environmental reclamation;
- A bilingual and tricultural mandate, including deep Indigenous partnerships;
- Strong outcomes for graduates: 93% employment at six months and 98% at two years;
- Research Centres focused across the mining life cycle (MERC, CROSH, MIRARCO, CFEU);
- Leadership from the Harquail School of Earth Sciences and the Mineral Exploration Research
Centre (MERC) in major initiatives, including Metal Earth ($104M); and - An experienced and award-winning community of faculty and staff, with the Goodman School
of Mines providing focused leadership and accountability for delivering on the Strategy’s
priorities.
Laurentian University is the best place on Earth to study and pursue research in mining and the environment.
1:27
Personalized learning with a low faculty/student ratio.
Faculty and Researchers
Vast breadth of expertise from award-winning faculty and researchers that is unmatched.
Employment
Large employment base with high-salaried career opportunities.
Post-graduate Employment
Best consecutive post-graduate employment ratio in the province 93% after 6 months.
Multicultural
Multicultural, diverse, welcoming and supportive environment.
Top Priorities
1. Grow Education and Training Across the Mining Life Cycle
Build the workforce of tomorrow by:
- Expanding interdisciplinary mining education (e.g., engineering, geology, environment, business, Indigenous studies, health and safety);
- Building training around new skills and technologies;
- Strengthening co-ops, experiential learning, and industry-embedded training;
- Supporting students and professionals to transition into mining-related careers; and
- Upskilling and reskilling professionals through micro-credentials and short courses.
Key initiatives:
- Launch 1-2 new programs per year, such as the Bachelor’s of Environmental Solutions and the Master’s of Occupational Safety and Health
- Launch 2-3 new courses per year, such as ‘Battery Electric Mine Equipment’, ‘Business of Exploration’, ‘Sustainable Mining’, ‘3D Modeling and Exploration Targeting’, and ‘Field Program Leadership’
- Centralize and accelerate co-op placements with partners for easier industry engagement and increased student uptake
- Create new microcredential courses for students and professionals, including six in the Mineral Resource Industry Leadership Certificate
- Form high-impact pathways for upskilling through new articulation agreements (1-2 per year) with other post-secondary institutions
- Grow enrollment in all mining-related programs (target 5-15% year-over-year increase) through expanded recruitment initiatives and building an early-talent pipeline
2. Research, Innovate, and Develop Transformative Mining Technologies
Advance applied research and technology adoption by:
- Growing capacity in critical industry challenge areas (e.g., waste reclamation, exploration, AI, automation/robotics, ESG, sustainable design);
- Expanding graduate research aligned with industry needs;
- Supporting pilot-scale testing and commercialization with SMEs and operators; and
- Recruiting research leadership in strategic areas (e.g., Canada Research Chairs, Industrial Chairs).
Key initiatives:
- Recruit dedicated staff, including a Strategic Coordinator for strategy implementation and an Industry Liaison Officer to facilitate industry-focused research collaborations
- Grow research funding by 25% over 5 years for applied industry research and dual-use technologies expanding our mining strength to defence
- Secure five new Research Chairs (such as the Leo Gerard Chair in Occupational Safety and Health)
- Launch 10 new mining-dedicated graduate scholarships/year
- Build new multidisciplinary research and training laboratories
3. Make Laurentian the Place Where Mining Leaders Connect
Position Laurentian as a national convenor by:
- Bringing together students, researchers, industry, and governments;
- Leveraging Sudbury’s innovation ecosystem (e.g., MIRARCO, NORCAT, SNOLAB, CROSH, ICEMD);
- Strengthening outreach, marketing, and government relations; and
- Expanding youth engagement and early-pathway programs.
Key initiatives:
- Host an annual Minerals and Mining Summit in April with industry, researchers and students engaging in the latest projects and initiatives
- Launch a “one-stop” portal featuring all Laurentian mining programs and training, open research collaborations, faculty expertise, and outreach events across all mining-related disciplines
- Bring youth and prospective students to campus by hosting a suite of new summer programs
4. Leverage Laurentian’s Tricultural Identity for Responsible Mining
Advance reconciliation and inclusion by:
- Co-creating content and research with Indigenous partners;
- Supporting Indigenous leadership, training, and economic participation;
- Embedding social licence, ethics, and ESG into mining education;
- Expanding access for Indigenous learners and equity-deserving groups; and
- Co-developing training and upskilling programs in French for students and professionals.
Key initiatives:
- Co-develop training and trusted resources by finalizing and expanding our landmark
partnership with the Indigenous Centre of Excellence in Mineral Development (ICEMD) - Establish bridging and upgrading programs for Indigenous learners with post-secondary
partners (1-2 pathways per year) - Promote Francophone learning opportunities (courses, programs, events) that give students
unique skills and perspectives - Launch campus-wide cultural training for people working professionally with Indigenous
communities - Create an Anishinaabemowin lexicon/guide for technical environment and mining terms
5-year Strategic Implementation Roadmap
A strategic vision is only as powerful as the commitment to its execution. To ensure our goals move seamlessly ideas to delivery, Laurentian University is launching a disciplined, five-year operational roadmap to guide our evolution as Canada’s Mining University. This roadmap translates our high-level strategic priorities into concrete, time-phased delive ables, creating a transparent, accountable path to success for our students, faculty, and external partners.
Education and Training
| YEAR 1 (2026/27) | YEAR 2 (2027/28) | YEAR 3 (2028/29) | YEAR 4 (2029/30) | YEAR 5 (2030/31) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Map Mining Program Synergies | Launch Leadership Certificate (MRILC) microcredentials | Launch interdisciplinary Minor in Mining and Mineral Resources | Launch Executive MBA | Create 2-4 New Programs over 5 years |
| Launch Bachelor's of Env. Solutions (with Cambrian College) | Launch specialized courses (Battery Equipment, Sustainable Mining) | Sign 3 new Post-Sec Articulation Agreements | Launch Master's in Occupational Safety and Health | Complete Canadian Mining Masterclass |
Research and Technology
| YEAR 1 (2026/27) | YEAR 2 (2027/28) | YEAR 3 (2028/29) | YEAR 4 (2029/30) | YEAR 5 (2030/31) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pioneer Dual-Use & Defence Tech Partnerships | Establish State-of-the-Art Modern Drill Core Facility | Launch Interdisciplinary Research Labs | Grow Applied Research Funding by 25% over 5 years | |
| Secure 5 New Applied Research Chairs with diverse specialities across the mining life cycle | ||||
Leadership Connection
| YEAR 1 (2026/27) | YEAR 2 (2027/28) | YEAR 3 (2028/29) | YEAR 4 (2029/30) | YEAR 5 (2030/31) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Launch 'One-Stop' Mining Portal | Strengthen communication and support industry needs | Increase Training Opportunities Through Summer Months | Build Early-Talent Pipelines (SHSM Pathways) | |
| Host Flagship Minerals & Mining Summit held every April | ||||
Tricultural Mandate
| YEAR 1 (2026/27) | YEAR 2 (2027/28) | YEAR 3 (2028/29) | YEAR 4 (2029/30) | YEAR 5 (2030/31) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Expand Partnership with Indigenous Centre (ICEMD) | Expand Francophone Learning Opportunities | Co-Create Anishinaabemowin Mining Lexicon | Campus-wide Cultural Training | |
| Co-Develop Joint Resources & Programs with Indigenous Partners | BBA-to-MBA pathways with Collège Boréal | Establish First Nations Bridging Pathways | ||
Yearly / Ongoing Key Measures
| YEAR 1 (2026/27) | YEAR 2 (2027/28) | YEAR 3 (2028/29) | YEAR 4 (2029/30) | YEAR 5 (2030/31) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Enhance High School Science Outreach by 15% YoY | Grow Applied Research Funding by 25% over 5 years | Award 20 new mining-dedicated scholarships per year | Target 5-15% YoY enrollment growth in mining related programs | |
Institutional Enablers
Our people are driving the strategy implementation and Laurentian will equip them with the support they need to succeed. Key institutional enablers for strategy delivery include:
- Credit releases to support faculty engagement
- New student scholarships for recruitment of UG and graduate students and researchers
- Dedicated Industry Liaison Officer, and Strategic Coordinator
- Pillar-specific working groups
- Support for faculty and research centre-led initiatives
- Integrated co-op and work-integrated learning coordination
- Regular government relations and engagement on provincial and national associations
- Ongoing Canada’s Mining University outreach
Governance
The GSM will convene an interdisciplinary Minerals and Mining Strategy Table (composed of representatives from all participating Faculties) to oversee quarterly progress.
Any new academic credentials, certificates, or formal degree pathways will be advanced through established bicameral governance channels for Senate and Board review and approval.
Resources and Investments
As Canada’s Mining University, we already annually invest nearly $40M to deliver excellent education, training, research, across the mining life cycle.
To catalyze transformational new programs and initiatives delivering talent, training, innovation, and sustainable solutions for the industry we are seeking $10M/yr in new funds for 2026-2031.
Laurentian is committed to a self-sustaining financial model to deliver on the strategy. We are actively leveraging this strategic roadmap to secure dedicated, external funding from government and private partners, ensuring our growth builds on existing internal university allocations. This is exemplified by major investments, including the recent $2.5M IAMGOLD President’s Innovation Fund and the establishment of the Dr. Leo Gerard Chair in Occupational Safety and Health (backed by $450,000 from Vale Base Metals and the United Steelworkers, and $250,000 from distinguished mining executive Mark Cutifani).
David Harquail
Chair Emeritus, Franco-Nevada Corporation
“Laurentian University is already a global leader in mineral exploration research. It has mining in its DNA.”
Jonathan Goodman
President and CEO, Dundee Corporation
“There is no better place to study mining than Sudbury; spectacular geology in
the Sudbury Basin, and just a stone’s throw you have 9 mines, 2 smelters, and a nickel refinery. People in Sudbury know mining, and this new strategy has the right ingredients to build the leaders of tomorrow.”
Mark Cutifani
Distinguished mining executive
“Laurentian is uniquely positioned to advance research that matters to the mining industry. I’m proud to invest in the Dr. Leo Gerard Chair and the impact this work can have on workers around the world.”
Jenny-Lou Campbell
Executive Director Indigenous Centre of Excellence for Mineral Development (ICEMD)
“Indigenous participation and leadership across the entire mining lifecycle are essential to the future of mining. This strategy advances community-led research, education, innovation, and partnership while strengthening connections that empower Indigenous knowledge and perspectives to shape an inclusive and responsible mining sector.”
Dr. Catharine Farrow
President, FarExGeoMine Ltd, Vice Chair LU Board of Governors
“Laurentian University’s Mining Strategy implementation will train tomorrow’s mining leaders — critical for Sudbury and Canada as resource nationalism and shifting supply chains open the door to repositioning Canada as a global resource leader. Exciting opportunities await!”
Invest in what matters to your organization
Build Your Talent Pipeline
• Scholarships & student awards
• Co-ops & internships
• Work-integrated learning
• Career engagement
• Student recruitment
• Co-ops & internships
• Work-integrated learning
• Career engagement
• Student recruitment
Develop Your Workforce
• Micro-credentials
• Professional development
• Leadership training
• Upskilling & reskilling
• Customized learning
• Professional development
• Leadership training
• Upskilling & reskilling
• Customized learning
Solve Industry Challenges
• Applied research
• Faculty expertise
• Graduate research
• Student projects
• Access to specialized facilities and expertise
• Faculty expertise
• Graduate research
• Student projects
• Access to specialized facilities and expertise
Accelerate Innovation
• Technology validation
• Pilot projects
• Commercialization
• SME/OEM collaboration
• Research Chairs & innovation leadership
• Pilot projects
• Commercialization
• SME/OEM collaboration
• Research Chairs & innovation leadership
Build the Next Generation
• Youth outreach
• Teacher engagement
• Campus experiences
• Mining career awareness
• Early talent pathways
• Teacher engagement
• Campus experiences
• Mining career awareness
• Early talent pathways
Advance Responsible Mining
• Indigenous partnerships
• Community engagement
• Environmental stewardship
• Inclusive workforce development
• Community engagement
• Environmental stewardship
• Inclusive workforce development
More than sponsorship – A strategic partnership with measurable value
- Talent – Earlier access and stronger connections to Laurentian students and graduates.
- Visibility – Meaningful brand presence with students, faculty, researchers, industry,
government and communities. - Access – Connections to Laurentian expertise, research capacity, facilities and emerging talent.
- Influence – Opportunities to help inform workforce development, industry engagement and implementation of the Minerals and Mining Strategy.
- Impact – Measurable outcomes aligned with your organization’s priorities and Laurentian’s five-year Minerals and Mining Strategy.
Engage with Canada’s Mining University today!
• Do you want to support our training and outreach initiatives?
• Are you seeking to upskill your team?
• Do you have a research challenge at your operation?
• Do you need co-op students?
• Are you seeking an expert to help advise on your industry challenge?
