BU Geology students host major western Canadian conference

Brandon will be a hub for the study of the geosciences in Western Canada this week as Brandon University (BU) students host the Western Inter-University Geosciences Conference (WIUGC).

The Department of Geology at BU is bringing the annual student-run conference to Brandon for the first time, with the event beginning on Wednesday, Jan. 9 and concluding on Saturday, Jan. 12. The conference will be held at the Victoria Inn Hotel and Convention Centre, with some events taking place at BU.

Students from across Western Canada will be joined by industry representatives to share their research and ideas related to geology, geophysics and geoengineering. The WIUGC will also feature workshops where students can develop their technical skills, guest lectures, an industry fair and social events.

The keynote speaker will be Dr. Keith Barron, an exploration geologist with over 35 years of experience. Dr. Barron was a co-founder of Aurelian Resources Inc., which made the Fruta del Norte gold discovery in Ecuador in 2006. Dr. Barron is currently the Chairman and CEO of Arania Resources Ltd., which he also founded. In 2008, he was the recipient of the Thayer Lindsley International Discovery Award for his role in the discovery of the Fruta del Norte deposit and he was named Mining Man of the Year by the publication Northern Miner.

An impressive list of guest speakers also includes a member of the BU Faculty of Science. Dr. David Greenwood of the Department of Biology will discuss the paleobotany of British Columbia, emphasizing the work of undergraduate and graduate students on his team.

More information on the event can be found at WIUGC2019.com.