Philippe Morin
Northern News Services
Monday, April 02, 2007

INUVIK - Students from the Beaufort Delta will be panning for gold on April 23, as they commence a mining course offered in Inuvik.

Instructor Austin Abbott of the Beaufort Delta Education Council said the program is new this year, and will teach students about Canada's mining industry.

On March 26, Abbott said application forms were being prepared, and would soon be mailed to local schools.

But even without the forms, he said, it seems people are talking about the program.

"I haven't even sent it out to the schools yet, and I already have two or three applicants," he said with a laugh.

As part of the course, students will use microscopes to examine rock samples, learn about careers in mining and even pan for fool's gold using the old-fashioned Yukon pail method.

Abbott also said he's trying to set up a field trip, or possibly some kind of "work-shadowing" in the Yellowknife area.

"I'm trying to get something arranged with the mining companies," he said, adding nothing is guaranteed but a fourth week could be added to the course for travelling.

However, even if there is no visit, he said students should get a comprehensive view.

"We'll be looking at everything: prospecting, minerals and land claims," Abbott said.

Interested students must be recommended by a school principal or vice-principal, write an essay question and pass a simple review quiz about mining, Abbott said.

If accepted, students would earn high-school credits while studying what Abbott calls "a fascinating field."