YMP targets mining education for elementary schools

The Young Mining Professionals (YMP) is expanding its outreach beyond networking and scholarships with a new grassroots campaign aimed at introducing elementary school students to the mining industry through children’s literature.

In partnership with author and longtime educator Lenna Rhodes, and with sponsorship from the Ore Group, YMP is working to distribute copies of Penelope the Miner to every elementary school in Ontario and Quebec. The book, recently translated into French, follows a young female protagonist exploring career opportunities in mining while highlighting the industry’s role in Canadian society.

“This is about reclaiming the narrative on metals and mining,” said Stephen Stewart, a director of YMP and chairman of the Ore Group. “We want young Canadians to understand how critical this industry is, not just for jobs and economic development, but for the infrastructure, healthcare, clean water and fresh air that we all depend on.”

The initiative comes as Canada positions itself as a key supplier of critical minerals needed for electrification and the energy transition, while the mining sector continues to face challenges around public perception and workforce renewal.

Expanding YMP’s mission

YMP has built its reputation as a network for young professionals working in the mining sector. In recent years, the organization broadened its mandate to support university students through scholarship programs. Now, it is entering new territory by targeting elementary-aged children.

“We realized we needed to start earlier,” Stewart said. “By the time students reach university, many have already formed opinions about mining or haven’t considered it at all. If we want to build the workforce of tomorrow and create informed citizens, we need to start at the grassroots level.”

Stewart said early exposure is also important for encouraging students to consider STEM-related careers, which are increasingly central to the mining industry as it adopts new technologies and works to meet growing demand for responsibly sourced minerals.

Decades-long passion project

For Rhodes, the campaign builds on decades of work educating young people about mining and its role in northern communities.

Raised in Schefferville, Que., Rhodes taught in several mining towns, including Chibougamau, Val-d’Or and Sudbury. Alongside her husband, Peter Cashin, CEO of Auriginal Mining, she has spent years promoting awareness of mining careers and the benefits that sustainable mining practices can bring to communities.

Originally published several years ago, Penelope the Miner has been promoted by Rhodes and Cashin as a way to show children the wide range of opportunities within the industry – from geology and engineering to environmental science and community development.

“Lenna’s work aligns perfectly with YMP’s goals,” Stewart said. “She’s been doing this grassroots work for years, and now with YMP’s network and the Ore Group’s support, we can amplify her message across two provinces, and eventually across Canada.”

Rhodes said she hopes the book will help children better understand where everyday materials come from and how mining underpins modern life.

“Canada’s most precious natural resource is its young people,” she said. “If we invest in helping them understand the vital role mining plays in our society, we’re investing in the industry’s future and the country’s future.”

Looking ahead

YMP said the immediate focus is building awareness among school boards, educators and policymakers to facilitate distribution across Ontario and Quebec. The organization hopes the book can serve as an accessible entry point for classroom discussions about natural resources, sustainability and the skilled professions that support the mining sector.

Longer term, YMP aims to expand the initiative nationwide and develop additional grassroots programs that promote the industry to Canada’s youngest generation.

For more information about the initiative or to support the distribution effort, YMP can be reached at scholarships@youngminingprofessionals.com.