MINING.com chosen as one of the judges in industry video contest

The Mining ROCKS! contest, now in its fourth year, hopes to inspire children to learn about the industry, get creative and win big. (Image courtesy of Mining Association of Nova Scotia.)

MINING.com, through its Halifax, Nova Scotia-based editor Cecilia Jamasmie, has been selected to be part of the judging panel for the popular Mining ROCKS! video contest, which aims at raising awareness and interest in the sector among junior high and high school students of the Eastern province.

Now in its fourth year, the competition encourages young Nova Scotians to produce short videos about mining and quarrying and gives them the chance of winning $1,000 in five different categories, with $500 going to the runner-up.

“We are delighted to have such an impressive and diverse group of people serving as judges in this year’s contest,” Sean Kirby, executive director of the Mining Association of Nova Scotia (MANS) said in a statement. “We really hope students will take advantage of this opportunity to learn about mining and put their creative efforts before this accomplished panel.”

The twelve judges are:

Cecilia Jamasmie. MINING.com Editor.

1. Hon. Margaret Miller, Minister of Natural Resources.
2. Membertou Chief Terry Paul.
3. Christine Blair, Mayor, Municipality of the County of Colchester.
4. Bill Mills, Mayor of Truro.
5. Cecilia Jamasmie, Editor, MINING.com.
6. Rhonda Ann MacDonald, Manager, Eastlink TV Community Programming, Halifax.
7. Martha Cooley, Executive Director, Atlantic Filmmakers Cooperative.
8. John Demont, Senior Writer, The Chronicle Herald; Author of Coal Black Heart.
9. Sheldon MacLeod, Host, News 95.7.
10. Patrick McCarron, IT/AV Media Services Specialist, Nova Scotia Community College.
11. Iain MacLeod, ad writer and marketing consultant.
12. Ian Palmeter, Past President, Mining Association of Nova Scotia.

Students will upload their videos to the MANS website and the panel of judges, who are mainly independent of the industry, will pick the winners for the Best Junior High School Video, Best High School Video, Best Comedy and Best 30-Second Commercial.  The fifth category, the People’s Choice winner, will be decided by the public through an online vote.

The deadline for video entries is Feb. 23. In addition, students who submitted their videos by Jan. 5, will be entered into a draw to win two $250 “early bird” prizes.