Opinion: Use elements bingo to explain mining

For those of us that work and live in this great global mining industry we all “get it”. We get the benefits of mining to the economy and at a more basic level, our way of life.

Governments are more and more “getting it”, and no doubt are being pushed to this by the war being fought for critical minerals.

But, not everyone “gets it” and we all need to do our part to change that.

I had a long drive last weekend with my 88-year-old mother. A few people strongly suggested getting an audio book, which I did, but we got bored with it. Now what to do for the next six hours?

My mother just sold her apartment and she asked me what I thought we should do with the proceeds of the sale. I suggested a few things and then she said, “I would like to buy some gold. I hear it is doing well. How would we do that?”

Kirkland Lake

When I enquired as to why, part of her answer was that it was really in her blood and that it would make her father (long passed away) proud. You see, when my mother’s family immigrated to Canada from Russia/Ukraine, they settled in Canada’s north. My mother was born in Kirkland Lake, Ont.

My grandfather, while not a miner, like me, made a living tied to the mining sector. He and his brother were professional photographers, taking photos of the mines, the families and the communities. Their works hang proudly in my office and in the Museum of Northern History at Sir Harry Oakes Chateau in Kirkland Lake.

As my mother talked of KL and gold, I had memories of my grandfather offering gold coins as gifts for weddings and bar mitzvahs. (I wonder if the beneficiaries realize what they have sitting in the back of their closet drawers.)

The conversation continued at pace and after coming up with a gold strategy, my mother asked me about my recent board trip with Torex Gold Resources (TSX: TXG) to Media Luna in Mexico. She asked about the helicopter ride to the site, and what it was like to drive through a 7 km-long tunnel.

I then took great pride in telling her how Media Luna and Torex have changed lives for the better in the communities around the mine, and especially for women (yes, they drive the big trucks mom, and better than the men) and children. Responsible Mining 101.

Elements bingo

And we then played a rousing game of periodic table of elements bingo. I would name an element and she would have to come up with the use of the element. We talked about copper and electrification, nickel and cobalt and lithium and batteries, and helium as a coolant. I had her stumped with bismuth, but then I gave her the name Pepto-Bismol as a clue. Critical Minerals 101.

Not everyone knows what we do and of its importance. And in fact, the reality is that most do not. We all need to be champions of this industry and tell its stories to our parents, our children, our neighbours and those who we interact with.

We don’t have to be pushy about it and there is a time and place for everything. But the next time someone in your home has an upset stomach, at least tell them where the Pepto-Bismol comes from.

Jay Kellerman works out of Toronto and London as a partner with the law firm Stikeman Elliott. For nearly 40 years, he’s advised companies and other participants in the global mining sector.