Three undergraduate geology students have joined Aberdeen Minerals on summer work placements, helping in the search for bedrock deposits of critical minerals in North-east Scotland.
Jessica Cardy and Gvidas Kucinskas are each going into their fourth year of study for a BSc in Geology at University of Aberdeen, while Rebecca Richardson joins from University of St Andrews where she is entering her fifth year of a Masters in Geology (MGeol) course.
Aberdeen Minerals is currently carrying out drilling works at its Arthrath Project, near Ellon, Aberdeenshire, where it is exploring for deposits of nickel, copper and cobalt. These metals are used in batteries and electrification making them strategically important raw materials essential to an energy transition in Scotland and the UK, however currently the country has no primary production.
During their placements, the students are assisting the company’s geology team while learning new skills in safe working practices, drill rig supervision, core logging, data collection and sampling, gaining valuable industry experience on an exciting local project.
The paid placements, which last between six and seven weeks, follow a very successful cohort of four summer work placements in 2024.
Gvidas Kucinskas, Rebecca Richardson, Jessica Cardy