The organization of short courses and workshops to support professional development. To date, the emphasis has been on the Cordillera of western Canada and the mineral deposits that are typical of this region. Recently, new projects have expanded to other areas that host similar deposits in North and South America. Regardless of the geographic focus of projects, many of the results and ideas are applicable to exploration throughout the Circum-Pacific region. MDRU is similar to other university-based applied research organizations, particularly those in Australia.
Cooperation is the essential ingredient behind the unit's on-going success.