The new facility will be used by UBC geology, earth science and geological engineering students to gain critical field skills and for sustainability research.

Together, they accounted for around 13 million ounces or 12% of global gold production in 2021.

Call for proposals is open to Canadian universities, mining companies and provincial, territorial, regional and municipal governments.

Layman is the recipient of the Young Mining Professionals’ prestigious Eira Thomas Award and vice-president of exploration for Osisko Development.

Awarded by Australian Resources Industry Skills and Education and supported by BHP, funding is aimed at addressing a shortage of engineers in the resources sector by attracting promising students.

May is BC Mining Month.

The project will train three postdoctoral research fellows and eleven postgraduate students to provide highly-qualified geoscientists for the Canadian minerals industry.