June 5, 2015, Vancouver, BC, Canada – In collaboration with Alloycorp Mining Inc. (Alloycorp) and Northwest Community College’s School of Exploration and Mining, Knight Piésold helped train eight Nisga’a Nation students. Students studying in the Environmental Monitoring Assistant Program (EMAP) visited the Avanti Kitsault Project for two days to round out their education with exposure to work in the mining industry.

Scientists from Knight Piésold’s Vancouver office worked closely with the students, demonstrating how to collect groundwater and surface water samples and conduct sediment and erosion control work. This exercise helped students to better understand the importance of environmental stewardship in the mining industry. The EMAP is an intensive 330-hour program providing hands-on, field-based training in environmental monitoring and entry-level environmental technician work.

Since 2008, Knight Piésold has been providing engineering and environmental services for the Avanti Kitsault Project. The project, which is owned by Alloycorp through its wholly owned subsidiary Avanti Kitsault Mine Ltd., is located in the Nass Area in northern British Columbia near the traditional territories of the Nisga’a Nation, Metlakatla First Nation, and Gitanyow First Nation.

“We are extremely proud to be associated with this type of well organized, well thought out and meaningful training program,” says Peter Baird, Alloycorp’s Senior Government and Public Affairs Counsel. Together with Alloycorp, Knight Piésold continues to build strong working relationships with local and First Nations communities. We are committed to working alongside our clients and First Nations partners in nurturing today’s youth and empowering tomorrow’s leaders.