Abstract:

A joint venture project is underway with Science North and Dynamic Earth (SN) and Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy, and Petroleum (CIM) to design, build, and distribute a digital mining game as a means to promote mining as a critical industry and showcase mining careers to youth, young professionals, and the general public.

The project aims to create a fun and inspiring game to introduce and excite society about mining as a whole. It will showcase how safety, environmental standards, and society are key parts within the mining sector. Each gamer must earn credits in financial, environmental, and social categories as these are critical lenses through which the mining industry must excel. Not only will this game allow gamers to find, explore, and define ore bodies, they will build and operate mines and processing facilities and will refine metals and minerals for market. The game closes the loop by allowing gamers to upgrade components such as mining lithium and nickel to make batteries to be used in electric vehicles.

This game is to be accessible to all Canadians including curriculum-linked programs for educators from grades 4-12. Five modules will include gaming components designed for classroom learning.

The creation of this game is a collaborative effort between CIM for technical content, SN for the science communication and programing excellence, and D+D Skunkworks Inc. for the gamification code itself. This is a new education platform with a fun-factor, to engage and socialize a modern vision of mining. This game and content will be promoted across northern Ontario, linked to the Go Deeper project, showcasing modern mining at the Dynamic Earth in Sudbury. The game’s launch date is May 2023, coinciding with CIM’s 125^th Anniversary, and the full education compliment launching in September 2023.

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Dan Stopnicki