Kim Barraclough
Northern News Services

NNSL (Aug 09/99) - Rocks and diamonds were the focus for a group of students who recently visited the Diavik diamond mine site for a science camp.

"It was great, it was awesome," said 16-year-old Neil Bassett of Hay River.

"I know so much more about diamonds and rocks -- if I could do it again I probably would."

Fifteen-year-old Brandon Ashcroft, who is also from Hay River, had similar feelings about the camp.

"It was very good. It was very informative on mining in the North," said Ashcroft.

Both boys said they are now interested in the possibility of entering into a career in the mining-related industry. Both are interested in the wildlife side of things.

The camp was set up by Diavik to teach students in the age range of 13 to 16 about science and careers in mining.

"They got to understand mining techniques really well," said Peter Hardy, who went along as a chaperon and who also teaches high school in Yellowknife.

"They were trying to encourage the kids into (jobs in mining and science)," said Hardy.

According to Hardy, there were sessions about many different subjects, such as water-quality testing, geology, geophysics and traditional knowledge.

The traditional knowledge sessions were very popular with students such as Ashcroft and Bassett.

"It is important to learn about traditional knowledge so you know the way of the land and you don't wreck it," said Bassett.

Diavik ran the camp from July 12-Aug. 2. They took 10 students up at a time for a week.

Bassett and Ashcroft's group was the first to go.

The students were selected by an essay writing contest about the importance of mining.

The camp was funded by Diavik and the GNWT Department of Education, Culture and Employment in association with Aurora College.