Magnetics essay contest returns

To encourage better understanding of magnetics in resource exploration and related fields, a group of mining suppliers is sponsoring an essay contest for Canadian post-secondary students.

This year marks the second time the contest has been offered.

To be eligible, students must be have been enrolled in an earth sciences program at a post-secondary institution as of Oct. 1, 2003, and must submit an essay of between 800 to 1,200 words.

Topics are at the students’ discretion but they are encouraged to examine some of the following:

– History and evolution of magnetic methods in the earth sciences;

– Applications of magnetics for mineral exploration, oil & gas exploration, and near-surface geophysics;

– New and emerging applications of magnetic methods, including laboratory studies;

– Mathematical or computer modeling methods; and

– Software-based analysis and interpretation of results.

Prizes for the top three essays are US$1,250, $1,000 and US$500. Winners will also receive a 1-year licence of Encom’s Profile Analyst software, a geophysical analysis tool.

“We were pleased with the quality of the papers and the interest in magnetics demonstrated throughout last year’s contest,” says Ivan Hrvoic, president of Richmond Hill, Ont.-based GEM Advanced Magnetometers.

An essay submission must be titled and include the writer’s name, home address, telephone number, e-mail address, post-secondary school (with faculty and major), year of study, name of professor(s) and the means by which the writer heard of the program. Submissions should be sent to Greg Hollyer at greg@gemsys.on.ca by Oct. 7, 2005.

Winners will be determined by a panel consisting of Derek Fairhead, a professor at Leeds University in the U.K.; Bill Morris, a professor of geography and geology at McMaster University; and Michal Ruder, principal of Denver, Colo.-based Wintermoon Geotechnologies.

For a complete list of rules, visit www.gemsys.ca/magnetic_essays.htm.

The contest is sponsored by GEM Advanced Magnetometers; Australian software makers Encom Technology; Minnesota-based geophysical equipment firm GISCO; Allied Associates Geophysical, a U.K.-based specialized geophysical equipment company; Italy’s Geostudi Astier; and Richmond Hill-based Terraplus Canada.