Andrea Ferriss is studying for a BSc (Hons) Geology at the University of Alberta to champion sustainable resource development as a priority for the industry.
“I’ve chosen a career in mining because I want to contribute to the energy transition through mineral resources,” Ferriss says. “I believe that critical metals are vital to fuel the innovation of decarbonization and renewable energy technology.”
Ferriss is just one of 63 students awarded from $500 to $15,000 as part of the 2025 Young Mining Professionals Scholarship Fund’s $250,000 for mining-related programs at post-secondary institutions across Canada. Some 30 mining companies and other sponsors are backing the effort, including new supporter Franco-Nevada (TSX, NYSE: FNV).
“Our renewable scholarship program is about investing in people and the future of the mining industry,” says Paul Brink, president and CEO of FrancoNevada. “By leveraging YMP’s extensive distribution network, we can broaden the reach of our support and join other industry leaders in helping ensure highpotential students from a broad range of backgrounds have the resources they need to thrive.”
Commitment
More than 3,000 students applied to the YMP fund. Applicants were considered based on academic achievement, extracurricular activities, and a commitment to a career in the mining industry.
The awards include several scholarships specifically targeting women, residents of Northern communities and Indigenous students, such as Maxwell Brown. He’s studying in his second year towards a BSc in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Calgary.
“The mining industry has many benefits including a variety of engineering job positions to make a real-world impact,” Brown says. “This scholarship has and will support me on my path to be an engineer, and I will be forever grateful.”
Anthony Moreau, director of the fund and CEO of American Eagle Gold (TSXV: AE; US-OTC: AMEGF), has hired two scholarship winners to work at the company’s NAK project in British Columbia. He says the industry’s rewards for him and his family prompted him to give back by promoting its benefits.
“The industry will continue to thrive, but we must focus on attracting and retaining talent,” Moreau says. “The YMP Scholarship embodies this effort. By offering scholarships and partnering with companies to support exceptional students, we not only keep these future leaders in the industry but also empower them to become ambassadors, spreading the word and fostering growth.”
Canada’s largest
The fund, Canada’s largest set of scholarships for students in mining-related programs, was established in 2018 by the Ore Group and Iamgold (TSX: IMG; NYSE: IAG) with a mere $12,000 awarded to students. The number of sponsors and the value of scholarships awarded has steadily increased since then.
“Alamos is proud to support the YMP Scholarship program, which plays an important role in opening doors for the next generation of mining leaders,” Alamos Gold (TSX, NYSE: AGI) CEO John McCluskey says. “Encouraging young talent and expanding access to opportunity strengthens our industry and helps to ensure a bright future for mining in Canada.”
Every dollar contributed by the sponsors goes to the scholarship winners as the program is administered entirely by volunteers. They see nurturing talent and fostering a pipeline of skilled professionals to drive innovation and sustainability in mining as critical for the industry, which in recent years has seen post-secondary enrolment in mining fields fall to half-century lows.
“Supporting the next generation of mining professionals is essential to the longterm success and sustainability of our industry,” B2Gold (TSX: BTO; NYSE-A: BTG) CEO Clive Johnson says. “We are proud to contribute to this initiative and to help create pathways for female and indigenous talent and future leaders.”
The scholarship fund is a registered Canadian charity offering tax receipts to participating donors.
Benefactors
New supporters to this year’s scholarships are Franco-Nevada, Mithril Silver and Gold (TSXV: MSG), Revival Gold (TSXV: RVG), Valkea Resources (TSXV: OZ) and Snowline Gold (TSX: SGD).
They are joined by the returning Agnico Eagle Mines (TSX, NYSE: AEM), Alamos Gold, American Eagle Gold, Auriginal Metals (TSXV: AUME), Awalé Resources (TSXV: ARIC), B2Gold, Barrick Mining (TSX: ABX; NYSE: B), Eldorado Gold (TSX: ELD, NYSE: EGO), Equinox Gold (TSX, NYSE: EQX), Geiger Energy (TSXV: BEEP), Gold Royalty (NYSE: GROY), Iamgold, Kinross Gold (TSX: K; NYSE: KGC), Metal Energy (TSXV: MERG), Ore Group, OreCap Invest (TSXV: OCI; US-OTC: ORFDF), Pan American Silver (TSX, NYSE: PAAS), ResourceTalks.com, Stardust Metals (CSE: ZIGY), Joan Margaret Stewart, Sprott Inc, TD Securities, The Northern Miner, Triple Flag Precious Metals (TSX, NYSE: TFPM), XXIX Metals (TSXV: XXIX) and YMP Toronto.
A list of winners can be viewed at YMPScholarships.com.
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