O PDAC* – International Convention & Trade Show é considerado o top dos eventos de classe mundial relacionados à indústria de pesquisa e prospecção mineral. Desde 1932, é líder entre as convenções do gênero pela excelência de sua programação técnica, seu foco em business e oportunidades para o estabelecimento de networking de abrangência global, por reunir os mais expressivos representantes em prospecção e pesquisa geológica, exploração e desenvolvimento mineral, incluindo governos e seus serviços geológicos, investidores da comunidade financeira, empresas dos setores de serviços, associações da indústria mineira, executivos, gerentes de exploração, prospectores e geólogos.O PDAC é uma grande vitrine, tanto para as empresas que lideram o estado da arte, como para aquelas que buscam referências, investimentos ou parcerias. É um fórum completo, onde se pode avaliar tendências e medir os interesses de investimento das maiores corporações da indústria mineral em escala global.
*PDAC – The annual convention of the Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada é considerado o top dos eventos de classe mundial relacionados à indústria de pesquisa e prospecção mi
BRASIL PAVILION é um esforço conjugado entre o governo federal e empresas privadas, nacionais e estrangeiras atuantes no Brasil que, reunidas em consórcio, trabalham para a promoção organizada do setor mineral no evento do PDAC*, realizado anualmente em Toronto, Canadá.Desde 1998, o Brasil vem conquistando importante espaço no cenário internacional, em virtude de sua primeira participação organizada no evento. Este fato decorreu da política de divulgação e promoção implementada pelo Ministério de Minas e Energia, através da liderança da Secretaria de Geologia, Mineração e Transformação Mineral, com a participação do Departamento Nacional de Produção Mineral – DNPM e do Serviço Geológico do Brasil – CPRM. Governo, instituições de fomento, pesquisa e tecnologia, empresas de mineração, prestadoras de serviços, consultorias e imprensa especializada trabalham em parceria para que o BRASIL PAVILION represente uma extensão da realidade do país, motivando visitantes e congressistas do PDAC* a conhecerem melhor o setor mineral brasileiro.
FAÇA PARTE DESSE TIME E TAMBÉM DESSA HISTÓRIA. PARTICIPE DO BRASIL PAVILION 2009.
Como agente facilitador para viabilizar a formação do consórcio BRASIL PAVILION, incluindo planejamento, captação de adesões das empresas privadas, contratação de serviços no Brasil e no Canadá para a realização do evento, a Secretaria de Geologia, Mineração e Transformação Mineral selecionou a Agência para o Desenvolvimento Tecnológico da Indústria Mineral Brasileira – ADIMB para a coordenação executiva do projeto, contando com a coordenação técnica da Divisão de Marketing e Divulgação do Serviço Geológico do Brasil – CPRM.
*PDAC – The annual convention of the Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada.
BRASIL PREPARADO PARA O PDAC´2009Em 2008 o Brasil fechou um ciclo virtuoso de 10anos comparecendo ao PDAC com representações organizadas, consistentes e tecnicamente bem embasadas, em especial contando com montagem do BRASIL PAVILION no Trade Show do Metro Toronto Convention Centre, em Toronto.
Apesar do clima de retração imposto pela crise econômica desencadeada em outubro passado nos Estados Unidos que, gradativamente, vem contaminado as economias globais, a Secretaria de Geologia, Mineração e Transformação Mineral do MME mantém sua política de promoção setorial, que inclui a presença continuada e permanente na feira do PDAC, fundamentada na estratégia de permanecer repassando confiança no mercado investidor internacional.
Mais uma vez o consórcio governo-empresas, coordenado pela ADIMB – Agência de Desenvolvimento Tecnológico da Indústria Mineral Brasileira – alcança em tempo recorde uma representação que conta com 27 entidades representativas do setor mineral, entre organismos governamentais, empresas de mineração, juniors companies, empresas de serviços, escritórios de advocacia e imprensa especializada.
Acompanhe o desempenho do Brasil no mais antigo e renomado congresso especializado em prospecção e pesquisa mineral do mundo e fique ligado no desenrolar dessa época de incertezas e nas estratégias operadas pelas empresas que participam do PDAC´2009. Clique aqui e confira a relação das empresas que participam do BRASIL PAVILION 2009
Apesar do clima de retração imposto pela crise econômica desencadeada em outubro passado nos Estados Unidos que, gradativamente, vem contaminado as economias globais, a Secretaria de Geologia, Mineração e Transformação Mineral do MME mantém sua política de promoção setorial, que inclui a presença continuada e permanente na feira do PDAC, fundamentada na estratégia de permanecer repassando confiança no mercado investidor internacional.
Mais uma vez o consórcio governo-empresas, coordenado pela ADIMB – Agência de Desenvolvimento Tecnológico da Indústria Mineral Brasileira – alcança em tempo recorde uma representação que conta com 27 entidades representativas do setor mineral, entre organismos governamentais, empresas de mineração, juniors companies, empresas de serviços, escritórios de advocacia e imprensa especializada.
Acompanhe o desempenho do Brasil no mais antigo e renomado congresso especializado em prospecção e pesquisa mineral do mundo e fique ligado no desenrolar dessa época de incertezas e nas estratégias operadas pelas empresas que participam do PDAC´2009. Clique aqui e confira a relação das empresas que participam do BRASIL PAVILION 2009
FROM THE MINING MAGAZINE
PDAC 2009 - Challenges lie ahead
What a difference a year makes. Recent swings in the financial markets, like the weather, have been extreme and have affected almost everyone. Future plans, and in many cases the very existence of junior companies, are uncertain. It is precisely at times like this when explorers and developers alike, all over the world, need the support, guidance and direction that attending the PDAC International Convention can provide.
Moving the convention to the South Building of the Metro Toronto Convention Centre in 2008 has opened the way for even more growth in the future. The Investors Exchange of over 600 booths is fully booked and has a waiting list. The more than 340 booths of the Trade Show are fully booked, with an extensive waiting list as well. Our sponsors from last year are on board, and we have added some new ones.
In November 2008, I attended the China Mining conference in Beijing. Many people came by the PDAC booth there and a number of them desperately wanted to get booth space at the 2009 PDAC convention. They wanted to be seen where it counts.PDAC advocacy efforts, on behalf of explorers and developers, the e-3 environmental excellence in exploration and health and safety initiatives, the international marketing efforts and Canada’s reputation worldwide as a source of expertise for mineral exploration, development and financing have all helped to make this convention the one to attend.
In the past, whenever there have been difficult times in the industry, people have come in large numbers to the convention. The reason is simple: they want the exposure, they want the networking and they want to be able to have an opportunity to market themselves and their products at the best venue possible.
I firmly believe that this current economic downturn has not altered the overall fundamentals that underlie the global mining industry. While the speculative market factors have again proven to be the biggest risk, especially for the junior exploration sector, and most likely will take some time to reset to a new norm, these current market factors are certainly not reflective of the real underlying global need and demand for metals and mineral products.
The pre-Christmas financial support packages that the US, European, Chinese and Canadian governments have implemented to support and stimulate their economies all include a very significant number of infrastructure enhancement projects, all of which will need mineral resources such as bauxite (aluminium), iron and base metals, as well as sand, gravel and cement. Demand for uranium, coal and natural gas for electrical power generation, and fertiliser products, will also continue to grow, especially in countries like China, India and Africa as populations expand and continue their migration to cities. The demand for communications, data technology and ever-smarter instrumentation is driving the development of new uses for rare earths, specialty metals and even graphite.
I believe that we are also now experiencing major changes in the way the world does business. Nation-centric ways of thinking are being replaced by a more multinational, global approach.
There is a fundamental shift underway in the drivers of the global economy. There are many more internationally influential players than there were in the past. Europe and North America now share the stage with China, India and Russia, and that is going to affect how business is done everywhere in the future.An example of this is China’s investment in resource and infrastructure projects throughout the world, as that country becomes a net resource consumer. While the current economy may look bleak, there are tremendous opportunities at hand, and Canada is well-positioned to take advantage of them. The Chinese have already invested significantly in Africa and Australia, and are now looking at projects in Canada and many other countries. This could provide a major source of financing for future exploration and project development, both in Canada and around the globe. Canadian miners, explorers and developers are recognised for their global expertise and mine financing know-how, and are sought out by many countries or groups wishing to take advantage of that expertise. What better place than the PDAC to make these connections?
This year’s convention will start with pre-convention workshops from Friday, February 27 through Sunday, March 1. The workshops will deal with Aboriginal awareness and employment opportunities; understanding NI 43-101 and technical reporting; understanding the financial life cycles of junior mining companies, best practices and the importance of due diligence; and the relatively new concept of geometallurgy and remote sensing and spectral geology.
Corporate social responsibility (CSR) is playing a major role at this year’s convention with the launching of the PDAC’s Framework for Responsible Exploration. A benchmark that exploration and mining companies can use and tailor to their own needs and circumstances, the framework consists of a set of principles and guidelines, and two tools — the existing e3 environmental excellence in exploration, and a health and safety manual. The pre-convention workshop, on Friday, February 27, will introduce the framework, providing an orientation to its components and practical advice on its use in the field.
A special post-convention session will also identify and examine some of the issues of carbon offsets and their potential impacts on development and advanced exploration projects, as more and more countries are passing legislation in this area.
On Sunday, March 1, the traditional commodities session will have an added attraction. This year, we will hear the experts discuss the market outlook for rare earth metals and potash as well as the usual outlooks for gold and silver, iron ore, copper and molybdenum, zinc, uranium, and nickel and platinum.The technical sessions of the convention officially open on the morning of Monday March 2, with the keynote session. This year the focus is on the new global realities and challenges and Canada’s leadership in responsible exploration. I will be co-chairing the session with John Morganti of Teck.
We have lined up a number of high-profile speakers to help us all make sense of the current uncertainties. Donald Coxe, of BMO Financial Group, will lead off with a special presentation, “The mining industry in a post-deflationary world”, which promises to be insightful.
In keeping with the global context, Kobus van der Wath, of The Beijing Axis, will tell us what is happening in China and the expected role it is going to play in everyone’s future.
Because of their global reach, explorers, developers and miners have an opportunity, and perhaps a duty, to become the industry leaders in advocating for social equality and justice worldwide. Anthony Hodge of the International Council on Mining and Metals will talk about mining’s contribution to society, how it is measured and its inherent challenges. We will hear about understanding, enhancing and explaining this contribution. In the past, our industry has not extolled its virtues and we need to demonstrate its beneficial aspects.
Topping off the morning, Dennis Jones, a PDAC director and chair of the association’s CSR committee, will discuss the CSR framework and its implications for industry. These last two presenters highlight the tremendous influence mining has on society and the PDAC’s contribution in fostering good industry practices.
On the afternoon of March 2, the technical programme will split into three streams to discuss diamonds, financing and the rebirth of Flin Flon, Manitoba.
Diamonds are always a popular subject at the convention, and this year’s two-and-a-half hour session will look at the six Cs of diamonds: colour, clarity, cut, carat, confidence and Canada. There are some concerns that the diamond market is losing its lustre, and one of the speakers will specifically address the global diamond supply and pricing.
Meanwhile, the session on financing will introduce a range of topics, including the benefits of flow-through financing, mergers and acquisitions, and the financing by senior companies of juniors. The one question to which everyone wants an answer is: what is going to happen to the junior sector? This session will offer some interesting answers.
The third afternoon session looks at new developments in older mining districts of Canada, specifically the Flin Flon area. Several presenters will speak about new interest in both base metal and copper-nickel deposits in northern Manitoba.This session illustrates the way our industry always reinvents itself and confirms the old saying: the best place to find new deposits is where there are existing mines. The Flin Flon area is certainly a good example.
A major focus on the morning of Tuesday, March 3, will be iron oxide copper-gold (IOCG) deposits. During a full morning session, we will be looking at the variations in styles of these tremendous deposits globally. Examples will be presented from Australia, Olympic Dam and others, as well as North and South America.
Running concurrently will be a session on Aboriginal participation in the mineral industry. One of the speakers is National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) Phil Fontaine, who will discuss the AFN corporate challenge and its implications for the mineral exploration sector.
On Tuesday afternoon, international activities are the focus, with technical sessions on Latin America and West Africa.Latin American speakers will focus on major ore deposits, including the Laguna Norte deposit in Peru and several others in South America and Mexico.
The ever-popular session on new discoveries and developments takes place on Wednesday morning, March 4. Speakers will present papers on Hathor Exploration’s Roughrider zone in Saskatchewan; the Lalor deposit in Flin Flon, Manitoba; the Nokomis nickel deposit; the gold-copper porphyry discoveries in Romania’s historic Rovina valley; and the greenfields platinum-palladium discovery in northwest Ontario.
A concurrent session on geophysics will focus on the many developments in geophysical technology. Two-dimensional and three-dimensional imaging and the use of geophysical (magnetic and gravity) data to model deposit parameters, as well as case studies including Victor and Eagle One, will be presented.
A major attraction at the convention is the Investors Exchange. Here, companies can showcase their activities and the general public and convention delegates can talk directly to investor relations personnel, geologists or management about their projects and prospects.
In addition, throughout the duration of the convention, 160 presenters will use the Exchange Forum to deliver technical presentations about their projects and discoveries and answer questions.
The popular core shack displays allow delegates a first-hand look at drill core from the next generation of projects. This year, 60 companies will be presenting their latest prospects.Always a significant part of the convention, the Trade Show will feature many national and international pavilions, as well as booths promoting a vast range of equipment, products and services for the exploration and mining industry.Rounding out these major convention activities are a number of social and networking events for delegates and also for students, who enjoy a reduced convention registration fee and programmes specifically geared toward their interests.
Acknowledgements
On behalf of the PDAC, I would like to thank our sponsors, without whose support it would be impossible to stage this convention. In particular, I would like to recognise the generosity of our Diamond Sponsor, Teck; our Platinum Sponsor, IBK Capital Corp; and our Patron Sponsor, Barrick Gold Corp. An event such as this also requires a tremendous amount of organisation and I would personally like to thank all the dedicated staff whose tireless effort behind the scenes make this event run as smoothly as clockwork each year.
What a difference a year makes. Recent swings in the financial markets, like the weather, have been extreme and have affected almost everyone. Future plans, and in many cases the very existence of junior companies, are uncertain. It is precisely at times like this when explorers and developers alike, all over the world, need the support, guidance and direction that attending the PDAC International Convention can provide.
Moving the convention to the South Building of the Metro Toronto Convention Centre in 2008 has opened the way for even more growth in the future. The Investors Exchange of over 600 booths is fully booked and has a waiting list. The more than 340 booths of the Trade Show are fully booked, with an extensive waiting list as well. Our sponsors from last year are on board, and we have added some new ones.
In November 2008, I attended the China Mining conference in Beijing. Many people came by the PDAC booth there and a number of them desperately wanted to get booth space at the 2009 PDAC convention. They wanted to be seen where it counts.PDAC advocacy efforts, on behalf of explorers and developers, the e-3 environmental excellence in exploration and health and safety initiatives, the international marketing efforts and Canada’s reputation worldwide as a source of expertise for mineral exploration, development and financing have all helped to make this convention the one to attend.
In the past, whenever there have been difficult times in the industry, people have come in large numbers to the convention. The reason is simple: they want the exposure, they want the networking and they want to be able to have an opportunity to market themselves and their products at the best venue possible.
I firmly believe that this current economic downturn has not altered the overall fundamentals that underlie the global mining industry. While the speculative market factors have again proven to be the biggest risk, especially for the junior exploration sector, and most likely will take some time to reset to a new norm, these current market factors are certainly not reflective of the real underlying global need and demand for metals and mineral products.
The pre-Christmas financial support packages that the US, European, Chinese and Canadian governments have implemented to support and stimulate their economies all include a very significant number of infrastructure enhancement projects, all of which will need mineral resources such as bauxite (aluminium), iron and base metals, as well as sand, gravel and cement. Demand for uranium, coal and natural gas for electrical power generation, and fertiliser products, will also continue to grow, especially in countries like China, India and Africa as populations expand and continue their migration to cities. The demand for communications, data technology and ever-smarter instrumentation is driving the development of new uses for rare earths, specialty metals and even graphite.
I believe that we are also now experiencing major changes in the way the world does business. Nation-centric ways of thinking are being replaced by a more multinational, global approach.
There is a fundamental shift underway in the drivers of the global economy. There are many more internationally influential players than there were in the past. Europe and North America now share the stage with China, India and Russia, and that is going to affect how business is done everywhere in the future.An example of this is China’s investment in resource and infrastructure projects throughout the world, as that country becomes a net resource consumer. While the current economy may look bleak, there are tremendous opportunities at hand, and Canada is well-positioned to take advantage of them. The Chinese have already invested significantly in Africa and Australia, and are now looking at projects in Canada and many other countries. This could provide a major source of financing for future exploration and project development, both in Canada and around the globe. Canadian miners, explorers and developers are recognised for their global expertise and mine financing know-how, and are sought out by many countries or groups wishing to take advantage of that expertise. What better place than the PDAC to make these connections?
This year’s convention will start with pre-convention workshops from Friday, February 27 through Sunday, March 1. The workshops will deal with Aboriginal awareness and employment opportunities; understanding NI 43-101 and technical reporting; understanding the financial life cycles of junior mining companies, best practices and the importance of due diligence; and the relatively new concept of geometallurgy and remote sensing and spectral geology.
Corporate social responsibility (CSR) is playing a major role at this year’s convention with the launching of the PDAC’s Framework for Responsible Exploration. A benchmark that exploration and mining companies can use and tailor to their own needs and circumstances, the framework consists of a set of principles and guidelines, and two tools — the existing e3 environmental excellence in exploration, and a health and safety manual. The pre-convention workshop, on Friday, February 27, will introduce the framework, providing an orientation to its components and practical advice on its use in the field.
A special post-convention session will also identify and examine some of the issues of carbon offsets and their potential impacts on development and advanced exploration projects, as more and more countries are passing legislation in this area.
On Sunday, March 1, the traditional commodities session will have an added attraction. This year, we will hear the experts discuss the market outlook for rare earth metals and potash as well as the usual outlooks for gold and silver, iron ore, copper and molybdenum, zinc, uranium, and nickel and platinum.The technical sessions of the convention officially open on the morning of Monday March 2, with the keynote session. This year the focus is on the new global realities and challenges and Canada’s leadership in responsible exploration. I will be co-chairing the session with John Morganti of Teck.
We have lined up a number of high-profile speakers to help us all make sense of the current uncertainties. Donald Coxe, of BMO Financial Group, will lead off with a special presentation, “The mining industry in a post-deflationary world”, which promises to be insightful.
In keeping with the global context, Kobus van der Wath, of The Beijing Axis, will tell us what is happening in China and the expected role it is going to play in everyone’s future.
Because of their global reach, explorers, developers and miners have an opportunity, and perhaps a duty, to become the industry leaders in advocating for social equality and justice worldwide. Anthony Hodge of the International Council on Mining and Metals will talk about mining’s contribution to society, how it is measured and its inherent challenges. We will hear about understanding, enhancing and explaining this contribution. In the past, our industry has not extolled its virtues and we need to demonstrate its beneficial aspects.
Topping off the morning, Dennis Jones, a PDAC director and chair of the association’s CSR committee, will discuss the CSR framework and its implications for industry. These last two presenters highlight the tremendous influence mining has on society and the PDAC’s contribution in fostering good industry practices.
On the afternoon of March 2, the technical programme will split into three streams to discuss diamonds, financing and the rebirth of Flin Flon, Manitoba.
Diamonds are always a popular subject at the convention, and this year’s two-and-a-half hour session will look at the six Cs of diamonds: colour, clarity, cut, carat, confidence and Canada. There are some concerns that the diamond market is losing its lustre, and one of the speakers will specifically address the global diamond supply and pricing.
Meanwhile, the session on financing will introduce a range of topics, including the benefits of flow-through financing, mergers and acquisitions, and the financing by senior companies of juniors. The one question to which everyone wants an answer is: what is going to happen to the junior sector? This session will offer some interesting answers.
The third afternoon session looks at new developments in older mining districts of Canada, specifically the Flin Flon area. Several presenters will speak about new interest in both base metal and copper-nickel deposits in northern Manitoba.This session illustrates the way our industry always reinvents itself and confirms the old saying: the best place to find new deposits is where there are existing mines. The Flin Flon area is certainly a good example.
A major focus on the morning of Tuesday, March 3, will be iron oxide copper-gold (IOCG) deposits. During a full morning session, we will be looking at the variations in styles of these tremendous deposits globally. Examples will be presented from Australia, Olympic Dam and others, as well as North and South America.
Running concurrently will be a session on Aboriginal participation in the mineral industry. One of the speakers is National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) Phil Fontaine, who will discuss the AFN corporate challenge and its implications for the mineral exploration sector.
On Tuesday afternoon, international activities are the focus, with technical sessions on Latin America and West Africa.Latin American speakers will focus on major ore deposits, including the Laguna Norte deposit in Peru and several others in South America and Mexico.
The ever-popular session on new discoveries and developments takes place on Wednesday morning, March 4. Speakers will present papers on Hathor Exploration’s Roughrider zone in Saskatchewan; the Lalor deposit in Flin Flon, Manitoba; the Nokomis nickel deposit; the gold-copper porphyry discoveries in Romania’s historic Rovina valley; and the greenfields platinum-palladium discovery in northwest Ontario.
A concurrent session on geophysics will focus on the many developments in geophysical technology. Two-dimensional and three-dimensional imaging and the use of geophysical (magnetic and gravity) data to model deposit parameters, as well as case studies including Victor and Eagle One, will be presented.
A major attraction at the convention is the Investors Exchange. Here, companies can showcase their activities and the general public and convention delegates can talk directly to investor relations personnel, geologists or management about their projects and prospects.
In addition, throughout the duration of the convention, 160 presenters will use the Exchange Forum to deliver technical presentations about their projects and discoveries and answer questions.
The popular core shack displays allow delegates a first-hand look at drill core from the next generation of projects. This year, 60 companies will be presenting their latest prospects.Always a significant part of the convention, the Trade Show will feature many national and international pavilions, as well as booths promoting a vast range of equipment, products and services for the exploration and mining industry.Rounding out these major convention activities are a number of social and networking events for delegates and also for students, who enjoy a reduced convention registration fee and programmes specifically geared toward their interests.
Acknowledgements
On behalf of the PDAC, I would like to thank our sponsors, without whose support it would be impossible to stage this convention. In particular, I would like to recognise the generosity of our Diamond Sponsor, Teck; our Platinum Sponsor, IBK Capital Corp; and our Patron Sponsor, Barrick Gold Corp. An event such as this also requires a tremendous amount of organisation and I would personally like to thank all the dedicated staff whose tireless effort behind the scenes make this event run as smoothly as clockwork each year.
As I travel abroad, I notice that the PDAC International Convention is increasingly being recognised as the place to be.
This, I think, is recognition of the importance of Canada’s contribution to the industry, and specifically the role of PDAC in promoting the Canadian mining industry.
See you all in March 2009.
See you all in March 2009.
