UNEARTHING THE FUTURE
BUSINESS TIMES
KAMLOOPS EXPLORATION GROUP
KAMLOOPS EXPLORATION GROUP
UNEARTHING THE FUTURE
HOW THE KAMLOOPS EXPLORATION GROUP IS INSPIRING THE NEXT GENERATION OF GEOSCIENTISTS
Project by: Malvern Kandemwa
Words by: Michelle Duncan
In the heart of British Columbia’s interior, the Kamloops Exploration Group (KEG) has spent more than four decades cultivating curiosity, education, and collaboration within Canada’s vibrant geoscience and mining community. What began as a small collective of exploration professionals in the late 1970s has evolved into a dy-
namic, education-driven organization inspiring students, industry professionals, and the public to better understand the role geoscience plays in society.
KEG’s roots are deeply embedded in Kamloops’ rich geological history and its proximity to some of Canada’s most productive mining regions. But the organization’s true impact lies beyond minerals; it’s about people and learning. From its start, KEG has championed education as the foundation for sustainable industry growth.
In a sector defined by discovery and transformation, Jane McCaw the President of the Kamloops Exploration Group stands out not just for her geological expertise, but for her unwavering commitment to education, collaboration, and community. As a driving force behind the Kamloops Exploration Group (KEG), McCaw has helped shape an organization that embodies both scientific curiosity and social responsibility, one that continues to inspire the next generation of geoscientists and strengthen the ties between industry and the public.
Jane McCaw, President, Kamloops Exploration Group
Jane McCaw’s leadership is defined by a lifelong passion for geology and a belief in the power of education to shape sustainable progress. Her career, which spans years of fieldwork, project management, and community engagement, has given her a deep understanding of both the technical and human sides of exploration.
Under her leadership, KEG has still been true to its founding mission to promote geoscience through education and awareness while evolving to meet the changing needs of the industry. McCaw has been instrumental in ensuring that KEG’s programs, from its flagship annual conference to its school outreach initiatives, remain inclusive, forward-thinking, and accessible to all. Every year, KEG organizes school programs, public lectures, and community events that bring geology to life. Its flagship initiative, the KEG An-
nual Conference, attracts geoscientists, engineers, and students from across Canada. The event not only highlights innovative exploration technologies but also provides a platform for knowledge sharing and mentorship between seasoned industry veterans and emerging professionals.
KEG’s outreach efforts extend well beyond conference halls. Its Education Committee runs programs for schools across the Thompson-Okanagan region, delivering direct learning experiences designed to ignite students’ curiosity about earth sciences.
The School Outreach Program brings real rock samples, maps, and field tools into classrooms, giving students an authentic taste of geological discovery. Volunteers, many of whom are professional geologists or mining engineers, share their passion and subjective experiences, bridging
the gap between textbook theory and real-world application.
Meanwhile, the KEG Bursary and Scholarship Program supports post-secondary students pursuing geoscience-related studies. These awards not only ease financial burdens but also encourage young scientists to remain engaged with the local community and its thriving exploration sector.
SPARKING INTEREST IN THE NEXT GENERATION
At the heart of McCaw’s vision is the belief that the future of exploration lies in the hands of young scientists. She has championed programs that connect students with professionals, encourage STEM education, and celebrate curiosity.
Through initiatives like KEG’s bursary and scholarship programs, McCaw has ensured that financial support reaches promising students pursu-
ing post-secondary studies in earth sciences. Meanwhile, her emphasis on direct learning from classroom demonstrations to field excursions helps students experience the excitement of geology firsthand.
“Our goal isn’t just to teach geology,” McCaw often emphasizes, “but to help young people see how geoscience impacts everything from technology to sustainability. When they understand that, they start to see their place in shaping the future.”
McCaw also believes that trust and transparency are essential for the mining and exploration sectors to thrive. Under her guidance, KEG has deepened its engagement with the public, ensuring that people understand how responsible exploration supports communities, economies, and the environment.
Through events like KEG Mining Day and the Annual Lecture Series, McCaw has made geoscience approachable and relevant. By
inviting families, educators, and local leaders to take part, she has helped demystify an industry that too often runs behind the scenes.
Her collaborative approach has also strengthened partnerships with government agencies, academic institutions, and private organizations ensuring KEG stays a respected voice in both scientific and civic circles.
COLLABORATION AND INNOVATION IN A CHANGING INDUSTRY
In an era of rapid change and increasing complexity, the mining and exploration sector finds itself at a pivotal crossroads. Global demand for minerals critical to clean energy, advanced manufacturing, and digital infrastructure is growing exponentially. Yet, this demand comes with an equally
urgent call for sustainability, transparency, and social responsibility.
In this dynamic environment, collaboration and innovation have become the twin engines driving progress and organizations like the Kamloops Exploration Group (KEG) are playing a vital role in fostering both. The exploration industry today is not what it was a decade ago. Advances in technology, evolving regulatory frameworks, and heightened public awareness about environmental and social impacts have reshaped the landscape. Companies are expected to not only find and extract resources efficiently but also to minimize ecological footprints, build community trust, and work transparently.
As KEG Chair Jane McCaw explains, “The future of exploration depends on our ability to think
differently to collaborate across disciplines, to innovate responsibly, and to connect our work with the broader societal good.” Collaboration, McCaw believes, is the foundation of sustainable progress. The days of isolated operations and siloed expertise are over; success now requires shared knowledge and collective problem-solving.
Through its conferences, workshops, and outreach programs, KEG provides a platform where industry professionals, researchers, government agencies, and students can engage in open dialogue. These interactions not only generate innovative ideas but also strengthen the relationships that make innovation possible.
INNOVATION AS A MINDSET
Innovation in geoscience is no longer limited to new drilling techniques or advanced data analytics; it’s about transforming how the industry works at every level. Digital tools such as AI-driven exploration modelling, remote sensing, and data inte-
gration platforms are revolutionizing how resources are discovered and managed. Meanwhile, advances in geospatial analysis and real-time monitoring are improving both efficiency and environmental safety.
Yet, McCaw points out that innovation is not solely technological. It’s also cultural and strategic —
about fostering open-mindedness, encouraging experimentation, and rethinking traditional business models.
“The most successful companies are those that embrace curiosity,” she explains. “At KEG, we want to instil that same mindset in the next generation of geoscientists — that innovation
isn’t just about tools, it’s about attitude.”
Collaboration also means inclusion ensuring that diverse voices are represented in shaping the future of the industry. KEG’s efforts to promote diversity and gender equity in geoscience mirror a broader shift within the sector. When people from diverse backgrounds and disciplines collaborate, innovative ideas appear, leading to more resilient and sustainable solutions. Transparency and inclusivity, once considered optional, are now recognized as key drivers of both innovation and trust.
As the Kamloops Exploration Group continues to champion education, dialogue, and discovery, it also sets a benchmark for what true collaboration in a changing industry can look like. Through its annual conference, community engagement programs, and partnerships across academia and industry, KEG proves that innovation doesn’t happen in isolation; it happens when people work side by side, united by a shared purpose.
In the end, collaboration and innovation are not just strategies for survival, they are the building blocks of a sustainable future for exploration.
