"A comprehensive professional approach to working with communities on their concerns and trade-offs is required. This ‘new competency’ means moving beyond traditional liaison and philanthropic gestures…very few academic institutions are providing teaching and qualifications in applied social science in the extractive sector. Queen’s is one; providing a leading-edge course in the heart of the mining faculty, as it should be.”

The program focuses on strengthening practitioner competencies, especially in the areas of communication, community engagement, community development and program planning.  It will equip students with the knowledge, practical tools, and analytical techniques to facilitate positive and lasting company-community relationships that work for the company, affected communities and local or regional governments. It will also contribute to the development and sustainability of local communities and economies. The program allows students to continue working while learning, testing and applying new skills on the job  

The program will be of interest to people working in the field, at project sites, in affected communities - for exploration and mining companies, for government, or for community based organizations.  

High altitude mining villages in Peru. (Photos courtesy of Felix Hruschka.)

Program Details

The program can be completed on a part-time basis over one or two years. The Certificate consists of 4 core courses. The program is comprised of two components - an intensive short term (6 day) residential experience  (to be held in  August), and the longer term distance learning component (on-line, self-directed but externally facilitated).

Degree Level Expectations & Learning Outcomes

Graduate Certificate. - view this information as a PDF (107KB)

Method of Completion

GCCR 801: Community Aspects of Mineral Resource Development. This course provides students with a thorough understanding of community issues associated with mineral resource development. It provides context and examples to demonstrate how the industry response to these issues has changed over time. It introduces the topics of community development, community engagement, and indigenous issues which are further explored in subsequent courses.

GCCR 802: Community Development for the Mining Industry. This course introduces a framework for understanding how community development (CD) theory, methods and techniques can be used by community relations practitioners working at mine sites or in mining communities. It familiarizes students with the “people centred” CD method. The course uses case studies and experiences drawn from the mining industry to illustrate and reinforce concepts and methodology.

GCCR 803: Community Engagement and Mining. This course extends the exploration of a range of community development and community engagement domains, techniques and skills. It focuses on how the community relations practitioner can assist communities and companies to build sustainable, organized relationships and structures within the broader context of mining and development practice, locally, nationally and globally.

GCCR 804: Mining Projects and Indigenous Peoples. This course examines the social, political, and economic relationships that exist between indigenous peoples and external parties in the development of commercial mining operations. The course will review specific social, political and economic issues arising from the engagement of indigenous peoples with the minerals industry, and the skill sets and knowledge base that are critical to negotiating relationships between indigenous peoples and mining companies.

Course Coordinators

Jeffrey Davidson (Queen’s University)  and Pam Bourke (University of Queensland)

Admissions

Admission requirements for students entering the certificate program will include:

• A baccalaureate degree from a recognized university.
• B- graduating average or higher (70% graduating average or a ranking in the top third of the graduating class where number grades are not available).
• Under exceptional circumstances, consideration will be given to highly motivated individuals with relevant field experience who do not meet the B- requirement
• A statement of interest in the program will be required in order to ensure alignment of the applicant’s academic background, work experience, and career aspirations with the objectives of the program.

Although an Engineering degree is not required, relevant work experience in the area of Mining or other Extractive industries is essential.

Test Requirements

Those applicants whose native languages do not include English will be required to obtain satisfactory standing in an English Language Proficiency Test as part of the application process, and before final acceptance is granted. A TOEFL minimum score of 550 (paper-based) or TOEFL iBT minimum scores of: writing (24/30); speaking (22/30); reading (22/30); listening (20/30), for a total of 88/120. Applicants must have the minimum score in each test as well as the minimum overall score.

How to Apply

Step 1 - Contact Program Coordinator to indicate interest.

Step 2 – Receive, complete and submit pre-application form to Program Coordinator, including statement of interest.

Step 3 – Based on feedback from Mining Department to pre-application, proceed with formal application.

Step 4 – Complete the School of Graduate Studies on-line application found at:  https://eservices.queensu.ca/apps/sgsapp/ and submit by July 15.

• Your home department will be the Robert M Buchan Department of Mining
• An application fee of $105 is required to be paid at the time of your application
• All supplementary paperwork as outlined in the application must be received by the School of Graduate Studies before your application can be finalized.

Fees

CAD $12,000 for the program

Scholarships

One or more scholarships per year may be available to students working for community-based organizations.

For a copy of this information download this file (381KB) 

PDF files can be viewed using Adobe Reader.