Every year, top students from major mining engineering, mineral processing and metallurgy programs across Canada go head-to-head in a series of challenges. For the competitors, this annual tradition isn't just an unmatched networking opportunity: it also exposes them to different approaches, expands their knowledge of the mining industry and gives them a chance to meet professionals in the field.

Each challenge, sponsored by the company that helps develop it, involves solving an academic or hands-on problem drawn from a real industry situation. The challenges are weighted differently. The biggest is Mine Design, which accounts for 60 points. Others are weighted variously according to the organizers, but in general are worth 20 to 40 points. For the most part, students are required to work in pairs. Some challenges are open-book, while others require active participation and specialized mining equipment. Whatever events they compete in, all students must also complete a 60-question exam on topics ranging from calculus of geochemistry.

"When I think of the mining games, the first thing I think of is pride," said delegation member Etienne Piché, who has participated in the games more than once. "At the games, you represent your school, your colleagues and your friends. You pull out all the stops for three days to achieve the unthinkable -- even the impossible! -- in a bid to mount the podium. The euphoria that follows the agony of waiting is well worth the sleepless nights."

Polytechnique Montréal's delegation, composed of Vincent Chabot, Catherine Lajoie-Filion, Sabrina Carpentier, Charles-Antoine Perreault-Liard, Simon Gélinas, Nicolas Bergeron, Marc-Antoine Richer, Johannie Bédard, Louis-Pierre Campeau, Jonathan Binette, Jean-François Horth and Etienne Piché, successfully competed in a number of challenges:

-Mine Design: 2nd place
-Environmental Design: 3rd place
-Mechanical Design: top 5
-Equipment Handling: top 5
-Autocad: 3rd place
-Mine Rescue: 2nd place
-Drill and Blast: 2nd place
-Ventilation: 2nd place

The Canadian Mining Games could not have taken place without support from the participating professors and from the sponsors who helped the students get around the host city.

Thanks to Michel Aubertin, Danielle Gagnon, Richard Simon, Maria-Helena Leite, Robert Corthésy and Michel Gamache for their support.

Thanks also to ICM Montréal, BBA, Xstrata, Osisko, Teck, Wesdome, Mines Aurizon, Kiewit, Suncor and St. Andrew Goldfields Ltd.

Congratulations to the Polytechnique delegation!