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De Beers Canada introduced the next generation of Canadian geoscientists to the world of diamond exploration recently as part an annual outreach program.

Nicole Januszczak, part of De Beers’ Canadian exploration team, and Stephan Kurszlaukis, a kimberlite petrologist working at De Beers Canada’s Calgary Operational Support Centre, volunteered their time to participate in the Student-Industry Mineral Exploration Workshop organized by the Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada in Sudbury, ON. Twenty-six senior geoscience students from across Canada were hand-picked from post-secondary institutions across the country to take part in the event designed to provide a unique opportunity to experience many facets of the mineral exploration industry. Two of the students who took part in the event are working as summer employees for De Beers Exploration in Canada.

As part of Diamond Day, students listened to presentations on kimberlites and diamonds, and how to explore for and evaluate diamond deposits. They had a hands-on session looking at kimberlite at De Beers’ Sudbury core warehouse and they watched diamonds being cut and polished at HRA Crossworks Sudbury plant.

“As the world’s leading diamond company, we want to engage with and inspire the next generation of geoscientists and expose the best talent to our organization,” said Nicole. “Having the opportunity to speak with students about what we do reminds me how awesome my job is as a geoscientist as we travel the country and the world looking for the next great mining discovery.”

The De Beers team based in Sudbury provided additional support by providing core samples and microscopes for the students to use during the Diamond Day activities. HRA Crossworks, who cut and polish rough diamonds from De Beers Victor Mine in northern Ontario, graciously welcomed the students into their Sudbury facility, giving the students a full understanding of the diamond pipeline from exploration to retail.

This is the third year that De Beers has participated in the program.