Suspension of program baffles miner.

I am a former graduate (1983) of the Cambrian College geology, mining, and metallurgy program and have worked in the mining industry for over 40 years.

Without exaggeration, one could say the DNA of the Greater City of Sudbury is geology, mining and metallurgy. This is borne out in the following well-known attributes of the city:

* Largest single collection of mines in the world

* Largest single collection of refining facilities in the world

* Largest concentration of mining sector supply companies in the world

* The wealth of ore in the Sudbury district remains a wonder to any one with mining knowledge

Some community developments built directly on these mineral sector attributes are:

* Laurentian University reinforces their commitment to the mineral sector by continuing to host and develop new programs and mineral related research.

* The establishment of the Canadian Research Chair in Robotics and Automation.

* Science North develops the Dynamic Earth site and continues to commit to the mineral resource sector

* The Neutrino Observatory is expanding and recognized for the special place it is in the world

* NORCATS's space drill technology and its training and development mine attracts people from many renowned technical centers

Given this brief highlight of Sudbury's mineral related strengths and community activities I am sorely disappointed in our community college's decision to suspend the geology program first year intake. This at a time of unprecedented geologic activity in not only Sudbury but also the entire country.

The Cambrian College geology program is among the most established and well recognized in the country. It is not possible to go to a mining property and not find Cambrian graduates. After well over 30 years Sudbury's Cambrian College is the place to come for practical geological training.

The Sudbury community and local mining companies have supported Cambrian's mineral resource programs through the tough times. During these periods when enrolment was well below normal the Cambrian leadership recognized the key role that they provide in supporting the mineral resource sector programs. This strength of commitment and conviction in the mineral sector programs has resulted in periods of very high enrolment and established Cambrian College as the educational leader in this sector. Suspension of this program now, after keeping the faith for so long seems worse than an insult or blunder. This is a break of faith and commitment to our community. The traditional program delivery mechanisms, course content, public presentation and advertisement may need to be adjusted. However, the fundamentals are present and should be expanded to meet the future and not placed on hold.

The mineral sector has not been this active in many, many years and the mining community that has contributed in many ways to the college over three decades will again be looking to Cambrian for future employees.

It is difficult to envision the management suspending a program with such roots and core community values. At the same time Laurentian and College Boreal continue to advertise, expand and support the mineral resource sectors.

Looking to the future, the value and recognition of earth sciences is on the rise and people are concerned with the mining industry and it's effect on Planet Earth. This is the time, to not suspend programs, but rather to expand mineral sector programs to give the next generations the tools they need, because today's young people also want to make a difference. In the new order of sustainable growth the Earth Sciences will be an important part of society's study of the planet in general. Mining, geology, geophysics and metallurgy are the tools of the Earth Sciences.

The leadership at Cambrian College must recognize that this community like so many others was built on the local resources. Sudbury is recognized worldwide as being the leader in geological, mining, and metallurgy, this is a most valuable asset worth protecting and developing further. This world leadership status does not refer to the minerals in the ground but rather the knowledge and expertise of the people in Sudbury. The suspension of geology at Cambrian is a very large step backwards, it lacks vision and fails to recognize our core strength. It must not be allowed to pass, without comment.

Dale Clarke, a Sudbury miner (and proud of it).

Cambrian College suspended the first-year intake for its geology technician program due to low enrolment, according to John Hood, dean of the school of computer and engineering technology. The college has been seeing only about eight first-year students taking the course. The collge will determine why enrolment is so low, and whether or not it would be doing a better job without it.

Students who want to take geology can enter into the mining technician program, according to Hood.