Brittany Charnley is a former Mining Matters intern whose career journey shows how outreach experience, professional relationships, and hands-on geology can support a career in mining. She currently works as a Production Drilling Geologist with Agnico Eagle Mines Ltd. at the Macassa Mine in Kirkland Lake, Ontario.

After Mining Matters, Brittany used connections she had developed through the organization to begin working with Atlantic Gold in Nova Scotia as a Junior Exploration Geoscientist-in-Training. She started by logging drill core and preparing cross-sections to support interpretation of the deposit. She later moved into field-based work, where she supervised diamond-drilling programs, completed surface drill inspections, and supported compliance with permits and environmental requirements.

Brittany then joined the Holt Mine as a Mine Geoscientist-in-Training. After beginning in the core shack, she moved into an underground beat geology role. Her responsibilities included chip and muck sampling, lithological and structural mapping, geological interpretation, ore/waste grade control management, and communicating with mining crews. She later transferred to the Macassa Mine, where she continued developing her underground and core-logging experience before entering her current role.

Today, Brittany oversees delineation and production drilling. She plans drill programs that improve resource models, identifies near-mine targets, tracks drilling costs and budgets, and coordinates with planning teams, operations teams, and drilling contractors.

“Working at Mining Matters was an amazing experience for me. The networking that is available at your fingertips while working here is incredible. I gained many useful skills as an intern, including learning how to explain complex ideas to others, public speaking, and project planning. I will always be grateful for my time at Mining Matters.”

Brittany’s story highlights how communication, relationship-building, technical experience, and a willingness to keep learning can support progression from educational outreach into exploration and underground mine geology.

Current role and employer: Production Drilling Geologist, Agnico Eagle Mines Ltd., Macassa Mine.