The annual Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada
(PDAC) convention is the premier event in the global
exploration and mining sector. The Toronto convention, which is
always held in the first week of March, is expected to set
another attendance record this year with about 20,000 visitors.
As I jump from presentation to event throughout this column I
may sound like I have a severe case of "attention deficit
disorder." This only reflects the many stories, people,
lectures and events at the PDAC which just simply overloads the
mind. Combine that with the networking, business deals, and the
enormous amounts of partying and the frantic three-and-a-half
days can become a blur to any participant.
Where to start? How about the price of nickel?
According to TD Newcrest metals analyst Greg Barnes, the price
of nickel will be "stuck in neutral" for the next while and
supplies are heading for a surplus between 2009 and 2012 due to
new developments coming on-stream including Vale's Goro project
in New Caledonia and BHP-Billiton's Ravensthorpe mine in
Australia. Barnes forecasts that nickel will be in short supply
again by 2013.
In another presentation the audience was told not to forget
that there are many other regions in addition to the BRIC
countries - Brazil, Russia, India and China - that are
modernizing and industrializing their economies. This
commodity-boom will ensure that metal demand will not be
significantly affected by an American recession.
This was the first time City of Greater Sudbury Mayor Rodriguez
has visited a PDAC convention.
"I am impressed at the range of exhibitors from investors and
developers to the supply side of the international mining
sector," said Mayor Rodriguez.
"I'm proud that my city is an integral part of this."
The convention gave the mayor an opportunity to see the
community's new "City Reborn" concept used on the marketing
display booth that was designed by Sudbury-based TTC
Advertising. The booth has a huge image of a newborn child with
a row of images at the top representing different facets of the
city's booming economy.
TTC Advertising, Senior Partner Jim Thompson said: "We felt we
needed something that captured the excitement and uniqueness of
the time and 'A City Reborn' was born. This creative display
will help Sudbury stand out from competition at the PDAC … It
also juxtaposes Sudbury with the way this community is
traditionally viewed by outsiders."
Rodriguez noted "the theme reflects Sudbury very well as a city
reborn. The small images at the top accurately portray the
community's transition into a flourishing, vibrant and dynamic
success."
One of the emotional highlights of the convention was the
signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between Assembly of
First Nations (AFN) Chief Phil Fontaine and PDAC President
Patricia Dillon for the purposes of working together to improve
the lives and local economies of First Nations.
"In resource development, First Nations and the mining
community are natural partners," said National Chief Fontaine.
"Developing a new partnership between the AFN and PDAC will
complement and enhance the growing relationships between First
Nations and Canada's major mining companies."
PDAC President Patricia Dillon stated, "The deliberations and
discussions leading up to the signing of this memorandum have
been undertaken with much goodwill on both sides. This historic
document formalizes a relationship that has been flourishing
for some time and lays framework for the mineral industry to
work co-operatively with First Nations and Aboriginal
communities."
The PDAC Mining Matters is an outreach initiative that aims to
educate students about the importance of and employment
opportunities in the minerals sector. On Monday, 60 Gr. 4
students - who all received highly visible bright red t-shirts
- spent the day at the PDAC convention.
Laura Clinton, project co-ordinator with PDAC Mining Matters
said, "We felt that this was a valuable opportunity to teach
the kids about mineral exploration. It was simply an
outstanding day."
The kids participated in workshops, demonstrations, were
entertained by guitarist Chris Rawlings and his mining songs,
and went out on the trade show floor for a scavenger hunt. They
had the opportunity to meet Ontario's Northern Development and
Mines Minister, Michael Gravelle, who gave them toques with the
ministry logo.
"Mining Matters is a great program that helps to educate
children about the importance of rocks, metals and minerals.
It was wonderful to have the opportunity to meet with so many
enthusiastic youngsters and see so many smiling faces,"
Gravelle said.
"These are exciting times for the mining industry in Ontario. I
can't think of a better time to be the Minister of Northern
Development and Mines. All of the buzz and energy that I have
seen at this year's Prospectors and Developers Convention is a
strong indication that the future of the industry will continue
to be bright in Ontario."
Women In Mining sponsored a networking event (men were also
invited) that was filled to capacity. Speeches by Director of
Corporate Relations, HudBay Minerals Inc. MaryAnn Mihychuk,
Ontario MNDM Deputy Minister Sue Herbert, and Director General
Chrystia Chudczak from the federal Minerals, Metals and
Materials Policy Branch all highlighted the tremendous strides
that women have made in Canada's mining sector.
There were many students in the crowd, indicating that the
industry is successfully getting the message out to young women
that the mineral sector is modern, inclusive and that mining
has tremendously rewarding opportunities for them.
We have entered the seventh year of an extraordinary commodity
super-cycle that has metal prices at generational highs. There
was a tremendous feeling of optimism and confidence at this
year's convention.
Many Canadians may view themselves as not as aggressive or
successful as our American neighbours to the south.
Whether that is true or not is open to debate, but when it
comes to the junior exploration sector, we absolutely rule the
world. Canada is second to none and that is why on a yearly
basis the world comes to Toronto for the PDAC convention.
Stan Sudol is a Toronto-based executive speech writer and mining columnist.www.republicofmining.com