BRITISH COLUMBIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
BCIT mining students win across categories at the 2026 Canadian Mining Games

Congratulations to BCIT Mining students who participated in the 2026 Canadian Mining Games in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, and earned several podium finishes in a highly competitive national field. In competing against post-secondary institutes from across Canada, the BCIT team demonstrated strong technical skills, collaboration, and industry-ready knowledge. This led them to earn earning seven podium finishes.

BCIT podium finishes included:

• 1st Place: Mine Rescue
• 1st Place: Mystery Event 3
• 2nd Place: Equipment Simulator
• 2nd Place: Mystery Event H
• 2nd Place: Open Pit Mine Design
• 3rd Place: Exam Package
• 3rd Place: Equipment Handling

The Canadian Mining Games is an annual competition that brings together mining engineering students from post-secondary institutions across Canada. Over an intensive weekend, teams take part in hands-on, technical, and team-based challenges designed and sponsored by industry partners. This gives students the opportunity to apply classroom learning to real-world mining scenarios while building professional connections.

National competition, real-world experience

For BCIT student Kate Viger, the 2026 Games in Saskatoon marked her fifth time participating. Having previously served as a team co-captain, she attended this year as a student competitor and described the experience as both rewarding and memorable.

"It felt more like a reunion than a competition," says Kate. "The sense of sportsmanship was incredible, and everyone was genuinely happy to see each other succeed. It was also eye-opening to learn about mining in Saskatchewan and how different it is from what we see in BC."

Kate competed in several technically demanding events, including Open Pit Mine Design, Health and Safety, Crisis Management, and the Exam Package challenge experiences she says pulled together years of coursework and hands-on learning.

"I was especially proud of our second-place finish in Open Pit Mine Design," Kate says. "That challenge really brings together everything we've learned at BCIT."

Building skills and connections for the future

Beyond the podium results, students say the competition is invaluable for professional development. Industry sponsors design the challenges, mentor participants, and connect directly with students many of whom are preparing to graduate and enter the mining workforce.

"The connections you make are incredibly valuable," says Kate. "You're meeting future colleagues and potential employers, while also seeing how you measure up against some of the best students in the country. And it's a lot of fun."

BCIT students who competed at the 2026 Canadian Mining Games include:

Allan Dam, Caleb Banman, Cole Halkett, Fraser Halbert, James Jones, Kate Viger, Levi Sladen, Logan Clegg, Mabior Kuany, Marcus Cheng, Matthieu Swarbrick, Noah Canero, Patrik Chomist, Ryan Walters, Saroni Mlola, and Stanislaus Farrel Kumalaputra.

Learn more about the BCIT Mineral Exploration and Mining diploma program.

This article was written with assistance from Microsoft CoPilot on March 12, 2026. Edited and fact-checked by Sebastian Arancibia Leiva.