![The simulator was popular with long line-ups most of the day as young people got to try their hand at running the backhoe.](https://www.netnewsledger.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Mining-Day-Simulator.jpg)
THUNDER BAY – MINING – The City of Thunder Bay declared Mining Day and it was as if the youth in the city came out in droves. From getting to pan for gold, draw with graphite, or just learn about mining, the day at Marina Park was a tremendous success.
There were hundreds of young people out to the event, enjoying not only the sunshine but the exhibits.
One of the popular exhibits was panning for gold.
![Gold fever? Perhaps for some but lots of fun learning how to pan for gold.](https://www.netnewsledger.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Panning-for-Gold-at-Mining-Day.jpg)
Inside the tent, there were exhibits from several of the local mining companies including North American Palladium, Kenyatta Ventures, Noront Resources, and Goldcorp.
Zenyatta Ventures had an innovative booth where youth were drawing pictures with a rock. The rock, a piece of graphite from the company’s Albany project near Constance Lake First Nation.
![Dakota and Tai from Fort Severn try their hands at drawing with graphite at the Zenyatta Ventures exhibit.](https://www.netnewsledger.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Dakota-and-Tai-at-the-Zenyatta-booth.jpg)
At the Lakehead University Geology Department Booth, the show was the different rocks which could make arrowheads. As well there was an arrow with an arrowhead made from glass.
Many hunters are starting to make their own arrowheads again, which they are finding work as well as the modern metal ones.
![The Geology Department at Lakehead University was showing off how to make arrowheads.](https://www.netnewsledger.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Munzeroy-at-Mining-Day-Arrow-at-LU-Geology.jpg)
![What was old is becoming new again. Arrowheads are making a comeback as hunters make them to use today](https://www.netnewsledger.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Lakehead-U-Geology-Department-Arrowhead.jpg)
In addition to the mining exhibits, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry was on hand to help educate about fire safety.
![All in good fun, Smokey the Bear and Munzeroy clown for the camera... but seriously fighting forest fires is really important.](https://www.netnewsledger.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Clowning-with-Smokey-the-Bear.jpg)
![Ready for take-off or ready to take a picture? Munzeroy at the control of the Expedition Helicopter.](https://www.netnewsledger.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Munzeroy-at-Helicopter.jpg)
Aviation in the north is key for mining, and increasingly helicopters are used for getting in and out of mining areas. The Expedition helicopter here burns about $300 of fuel an hour. It is expensive but the value in time and finding mineral deposits is critical.
Finally, the Underground Gym was running the food camp at Mining Day. These diligent youth were making sure that hungry miners got a good quick meal.
![Peter and his team from the Underground Gym were manning the camp kitchen serving up tasty meals at Mining Day](https://www.netnewsledger.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/The-Undeground-Gym-at-Mining-Day.jpg)