Prospectors and developers persevere despite current investment climate.
By Steve Fiscor, Editor-in-Chief
The annual Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada’s (PDAC) Convention is one of the mining industry’s most popular networking and educational events. Miners, geologists and in- vestors gather, along with a fringe following, at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre to talk about the future of mining and celebrate its achievements. Attracting a crowd of around 30,000, the convention’s sheer size is impressive.
“The PDAC 2014 Convention is just around the corner and it promises to be outstanding—laden with prospects for learning, engaging and networking with other attendees,” said PDAC President Glenn Nolan. “With provocative speakers and informative sessions on everything from financing to new discoveries and geoscience advances, our convention will once again provide delegates with exceptional opportunities to explore the mining industry.”
Even though it’s in its 82nd year, PDAC has kept up with the times. Last year, a mobile app was introduced to assist delegates in getting organized. This year, the association has developed a mobile Website to enhance the conference delegates’ ability to navigate the exhibits and sessions, and build a schedule in advance of the event (www.pdac.ca/convention). The event features technical sessions and an array of short courses. New additions include a session that covers strategies for successfully working with BRIC countries, as well as courses that examine zinc and diamonds, and a keynote session on sharing mineral wealth.
The PDAC Convention is actually a convention, trade show and investors exchange in one. The convention includes a technical program (presentations, short courses and workshops), a corporate social responsibility (CSR) event series, an aboriginal program, a student program and networking events.
The technical program features talks by industry experts that reflect the PDAC’s year-round advocacy work as the industry association representing the mineral exploration and development sector in Canada. The program opens with the Commodities and Market Outlook, session, and includes other sessions such as Maximizing Company Profits and Growth by Acquisition, the keynote session on Sharing Mineral Wealth, Mineral Economics: Approaches to Understanding and Managing Uncertainty and Risks, and New Discoveries and Developments.
PDAC 2014 also offers short courses to assist delegates with their professional development goals. Courses will be offered on everything from health and safety to communications to geophysics.
The trade show features more than 400 companies, organizations and governments promoting technology, products, services, and mining jurisdictions worldwide. The opportunity for convention delegates to learn about the global mineral sector while walking the aisles of the trade show floor is phenomenal. The trade show receptions on Monday and Tuesday afternoon give attendees the chance to network over a glass of wine or beer on the show floor.
Peru becomes the first mining country to sponsor the PDAC Convention. “We’re proud to partner with Peru as a convention sponsor,” Nolan said. “From copper and zinc to gold, the country is a growing leader in the mining industry. Peru has a long-standing presence at the PDAC Convention, and we’re thrilled they are our first mining country sponsor.”
With more than 90 companies currently operating in Canada, Peru has a strong bilateral relationship with Canada. Canadian investment in Peru’s extractive sector alone is approximately $8 billion. Last year, Peru had the third largest country delegation at the PDAC Convention, just behind the U.S. and Australia.
There is no shortage of social events at the convention, including the awards evening, mining night and the gala.
