Diamond Exploration Research Training School (DERTS)
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What is DERTS?
DERTS - the Diamond Exploration and Research Training School is a unique graduate program that brings together industry, Government and academia to train students in the latest advances in geochronology, indicator mineral analysis/interpretation, volcanology, exploration geophysics and remote-sensing. DERTS includes an industrial internship component that provides students with on-site experience at mines and on grass-roots exploration projects.
Diamonds are forever:
New diamond exploration research training school poised to strengthen Canada's industry
From their long-held appeal as jewelry to increasing industrial applications, there is nothing more symbolic of strength and endurance than diamonds. There is also no denying the strength of Canada's roughly $2-billion annual diamond industry. With two of three Canadian mines in their final phases of production, the time is now to source new exploration sites to ensure Canada remains at the forefront of the industry.
To help train and produce the next generation of highly qualified diamond explorers, the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) has announced an investment of $1.65 million over the next six years to a new Diamond Exploration Research and Training School (DERTS), led by the ÀÖÓ¯VI and with partners at the University of British Columbia.
"There is a desperate need to sustain more discoveries if Canada is going to maintain its position as the world's number three diamond producer by value," says Graham Pearson, principal investigator of DERTS and Canada Excellence Research Chair in Arctic Resources at the U of A. "Diamond mining has put hundreds of millions of dollars into the economy of the North. That economic investment and momentum needs to be sustained going forward in the long term. The discovery of new deposits will be technologically challenging, so we are creating the next generation of industry-ready geoscientists."
Funded through NSERC's Collaborative Research and Training Experience Program (CREATE), DERTS includes industrial collaborations with 10 partners-including heavy-hitters De Beers, Diavik Mines, and Dominion Diamond Ekati Corporation-all committed to working with students on prospecting new mines. "We are directly aligning our research with industry needs," says Pearson. "It is essential that new graduates are abl