Haileybury School of Mines: 110 years of prospect, prosperity, and potential

The year is 1912 and the western shores of Lake Temiskaming are a hive of activity. Townsites are growing rapidly, buildings are raised, and plank sidewalks stitch together the communities, helping the influx of would-be fortuneseekers avoid the muck and mire that makes up the local road system.

The silver mines of Cobalt are booming, and prospectors are cutting their way through the boreal reaches of Northern Ontario in search of the next big discovery.

In this midst of this chaos, the Haileybury School of Mines (HSM) was founded to meet the need for skilled labourers in the exploding Canadian mining industry.

“It’s been 110 years since HSM was founded, that’s 110 years HSM has been a leader and integral part of, the Canadian Mining industry,” said Dr. Audrey J. Penner, president and CEO of Northern College. “For over a century, HSM graduates have shaped the modern mining industry both near and far. Our graduates have staked claims, developed mines, founded multi-national corporations, and led them, developed life-saving practices and above all, cemented HSM as a world class centre of excellence that continues on today.”

Northern College’s stewardship of the century-old institution in 1970 but maintained its fundamental principles as well as its world-class name and reputation.

“It has always been incredibly important to us as an institution to recognize the significance of HsM and its signification contributions,” said Penner. “HsM is a cornerstone of our institution, region, and across the globe in mining excellence, and its practices have always defined our unique approach to education.”

“We continue to look to industry to help inform our practices and priorities,” she added. “Our goal has always been to provide students with the most accessible education with the most tangible likelihood for success in their chosen field once they graduate.”

As the decades have come and gone, the methods and techniques have changed, but the fundamental mandate of HSM has remained the same: train willing students to become skilled graduates and successful professionals that continue to shape the mining industry.

“We have always been focused on industry directed training,” said Aaron Klooster, Northern College vicepresident, academic and student success. “Although many of our teaching methods have transitioned to a digital platform, the methodology of our approach remains the same. Our students still participate in robust practical hands-on field training as part of the curriculum.”

As the Haileybury School of Mines moves further into its second century of existence, it remains as industry focused and adaptable as it was when it was originally founded in 1912. HSM places special focus on innovation through Northern College’s Innovation Hub – a facility that provides students and Industry with the technological support they need to turn their ground-breaking ideas into a reality and help connect those ideas to global marketplaces.

Building on a century-old foundation, Northern College and the Haileybury School of Mines continue to play a pivotal role in the modern mining industry globally.