Ensuring a Sustainable North
Aurora Geosciences has Spent Nearly 40 Years Working with Northerners, Aboriginals.
Aurora Geosciences describes itself as “the Northern company with brains for rocks.” It’s an entertaining twist on an old saying, but an apt description. Successfully integrating geology, geophysics, and exploration services while efficiently working with Northern logistics providers and communities, however, is far from a ‘no-brainer’.
With five offices – three of which are in the North – Aurora and its predecessor companies have focused on mineral exploration projects in the North for more than 37 years, from Alaska to the Northern shores of Hudson Bay.
Along the way they’ve continually adapted and developed new technology and techniques to Northern climes featuring a number of breakthroughs: one being the first application of ground penetrating radar to Northern placer exploration, in 1992. More recent innovative projects include developing a portable frozen soil auger system and an airborne geochemical stream-sediment sampling system.
With such experience in the North, also came the idea of working positively with the Aboriginal communities.
“We encourage our staff to live in the North and our clients to contract Northern-based companies, many of which include Aboriginal ownership, to support their exploration programs,” says Dave White, Aurora’s President. “Certainly, Aurora sub-contracts Northern-based companies to facilitate our clients’ programs. Aurora understands the importance of employing Northern expertise to successfully operate in the North.”
Aurora utilizes local Aboriginal suppliers to support their clients’ programs where they’re competitive. “For example, we engage Deninue Kúe First Nation of Fort Resolution to supply core boxes for our drill programs,” says White.
The company supports, and encourages its clients to support, communities and the people who live in them. “Our clients understand the value of investing in Northern communities when this investment can be directed towards the long-term benefit of the community,” says White. “For example, in 2016 while operating the Kennady North program, KDI provided fixed wing and helicopter support services to the community of Lutsel K’e to build an arbor at Lady of the Falls. This support program was $40,000.”
Aurora strives to employ Aboriginal personnel on all of their own programs whenever possible. “Our needs are often project specific; some projects can have up to 15 per cent Aboriginal personnel,” says White. “We try to hire from the community located closest to the active project.” Some of these currently include Aboriginal personnel working in labour, geotechnical, and kitchen cooking and support positions.
By doing this, Aurora provides a means for Aboriginals to learn skills that make them more employable not only with future Aurora-managed programs, but on exploration programs conducted across the North. “These are skills that can offer a rewarding career in mineral exploration,” says White.
The educational aspect of training benefits Aboriginals, too. “Aurora developed content for the Geological Field Assistant Training program in conjunction with Aurora College,” says White. “We hired one of the first successful candidates – an Aboriginal – from this program in 2018.” And recently, Aurora helped to support the Prospector’s Training Program that was facilitated by the Northwest Territories Geological Survey and industry partners.
“Aurora understands the importance of working in the North to support Northern-owned and -operated businesses, the people who live in the North, and a sustainable Northern economy,” sums White.
