In Miners of Tomorrow we look at how recipients of Hexagon Mining scholarships are faring. Camden Fraser studies Mining Engineering at the Colorado School of Mines in Golden, CO.
Bring us up to date with your progress at Mines.
This Spring, I am entering my second semester as a Junior. I am studying Mining Engineering and striving towards an area of special interest in explosives. At school, I am a member of the Society for Mining, Metallurgy, and Exploration (SME). In addition, I am on the mining competition team, the men’s rugby team, and the ice hockey team.
How did the scholarship come about? Did you apply or were you picked?
The scholarship came to me around Thanksgiving, saying that I had been picked in recognition of my academic successes at school. Due to the circumstances in which I was selected, I am extremely grateful for the scholarship and motivated to keep doing well in the classroom.
Do you use Hexagon Mining technology at Mines?
For Surface Mine Design, we used MineSight for most of our labs to create block models, design pits, haul roads, etc. The program was extremely helpful in creating a visual aid of the problems used in the labs and on the tests.
What attracted you to mining as a career?
Becoming a Mining Engineering student was more by chance than a decision. While touring the school, a student from the mining department convinced me to go to the mining information session. Between listening to the student and going to the information session, I was set on becoming a Mining Engineer. I believe the attraction of mining was largely due to the potential of working with explosives and large machinery, while having the opportunity to travel all over the world. “If it’s not grown, it’s mined.” The quote also attracted me to mining because it reminds me of the large role mining plays across the globe.
What are your life ambitions beyond career (family? travel?)
My life ambitions would to become a father of two kids and to have a dog or two. Ideally, I would own a cabin on a lake or in the mountains that would have multiple toys (ATVs, jet ski, wake boards, fishing gear, etc.) In addition, I also have the dream of becoming an official in the National Hockey League (NHL). Being an aspiring official today, becoming an NHL official is the ultimate goal because not only do I get on-ice seats to the best hockey, but I also get to travel all over North America.
What do you enjoy doing when you’re not working?
Outside of work I enjoy hiking. The greatest hikes in Colorado have to be the 14ers (over 14,000 feet). To date I’ve summited ten 14ers and hope to do all 58 at some point in my life. In addition, I love to go camping. Camping with friends or family allows me to not only go to some incredible places, such as Crystal Mill, but it is also a way to get away from work. Also, I enjoy going mountain biking on the numerous trials across the Front Range. Finally, I enjoy playing or watching sports. An afternoon of playing football or street hockey makes for a great day.
Do you live on campus? What’s fun to do in Golden?
I live in an apartment just down the hill from the campus with four other roommates. The apartment is slightly smaller but due to all of us being in sports we are hardly all at the apartment at the same time so it works out. In addition, Golden offers multiple activities year-round. The fun things to do in Golden are jump/tube down Clear Creek,
climb or ride my bike up Mt. Zion, tour Coors Brewery Factory, and go to college night at Woody’s Pizza.
What’s in your iPod?
In my iPod I have almost everything except heavy metal, thus if the phone is on shuffle, I have no idea what type of music is going to come on. However, the Pandora app on my phone just sent me an email saying that the genre of music I listened to most the past calendar year was country music.
What’s the last book you read for pleasure?
The last book I read for pleasure was probably Sports Illustrated (Swimsuit Edition) or In Cold Blood by Truman Capote, which describes the murder of the Clutter family and the events that happened afterward.
Your top three dinner guests, dead or alive?
My top three dinner guests would have to be Jesus, Robin Williams, and Bear Grylls. Jesus would allow me to ask questions about my faith and to learn about the struggles he had to overcome. Then, Robin Williams because I’ve enjoyed all his movies and the comic relief he brought to nearly every situation. Finally, I would invite Bear Grylls to learn about his numerous adventures and potentially learn about some of the greatest spots to travel.
Anything else to add?
Being selected for the scholarship means a lot to me because it demonstrates that my academic successes are not going unnoticed. This encourages me to continue to work hard and stay motivated in my studies. In addition, the scholarship allows for the opportunity to lower the financial burden associated with going to school. A lower financial cost is very important to myself and my family now that my brother and I are both in college.