| Inside AME BC - Registration for Mineral Exploration Roundup 2011 is Now Open!
- Last Chance! 2011 AME BC Board of Directors - Call for Nominations
- President's Message - Q3 2010
- Chuck Davis Presented with Frank Woodside Distinguished Service Award
- Laureen Whyte now at Arbutus Consulting
- Follow AME BC on Twitter!
Health & Safety - Bloodmobile Comes to Mineral Exploration Roundup
- Safety Superheroes to be Honoured at 6th Annual Lieutenant Governor’s Awards for Public Safety
- Keep your Little Ghouls and Goblins Safe this Halloween!
Mineral Exploration News - Bill C-300 Defeated in Vote on October 27
- BC Cabinet and Ministry Shuffle Update from AME BC
- 2010 Mining and Sustainability Award
- Simpcw First Nation and Commerce Resources Corp. Sign Exploration Agreement
- Mining Matters Column - October 20th Article
Geoscience BC News - Geoscience BC Announces Porphyry Integration Project
Employment Opportunities
Courses & Education
Upcoming Events and Conferences
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| Inside AME BC |
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| Registration for Mineral Exploration Roundup 2011 is Now Open! |
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| Click here to register online, by mail, or by fax now. The early registration deadline (to qualify for discounted registration fees), is December 10, 2010. Register now for short courses, field trips and special events as spaces are limited and sell out quickly. Questions? Phone the Roundup Hotline at 604.689.4800 or toll free at 1.877.689.5554, or email roundup@amebc.ca. NOTE - 2011 AME BC individual members are entitled to discounted registration rates. To be eligible for the discounted rates, you must purchase a 2011 AME BC individual membership as part of the registration process. A 2010 individual membership does not apply. |
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| Last Chance! 2011 AME BC Board of Directors - Call for Nominations |
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| AME BC is embarking on the nomination process for available 2011 director positions for its Board of Directors. The deadline for Nominations is October 29, 2010. Nominations from the membership are welcome. If you are an AME BC member and wish to nominate a candidate for the 2011 AME BC Board of Directors please note the following nomination procedure: Your nomination must be: - Made in writing;
- Be signed by at least 10 members;
- Include written consent of the nominee; and
- Be submitted to AME BC on or before October 29, 2010.
Please submit your nominations by email, fax, or by mail (postmarked by Friday, October 29, 2010) to: Tracey Sexton
Executive Assistant / Office Administrator
Association for Mineral Exploration BC
800-889 West Pender Street
Vancouver, BC V6C 3B2
tsexton@amebc.ca
Fax: 604.681.2363
Phone: 604.630.3919 Once the nomination period has ended, if you are an AME BC member, you will receive an AME BC Board of Directors Election package along with the official notice of the Annual General Meeting on Monday, January 24, 2011, in the mail in late November. This package will provide further information on how to vote, and details regarding the AGM, where there the results will be announced. |
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| President's Message - Q3 2010 |
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| The third quarter of 2010 was very busy for AME BC members and staff indeed! While operating challenges still remain in British Columbia, there are signs of increased mineral exploration activity with higher drill program expenditures, numerous joint ventures and mergers and acquisitions. Most indicators are pointing to 2010 as the turnaround year for BC mineral exploration and development with spending estimates ranging from $250-300 million, versus the $154 million recorded last year. The overall economy in British Columbia and Canada, however, is slowing from the strong growth we experienced in late 2009 and the first two quarters of 2010. The Bank of Canada is stating national economic growth was at 1.6% for Q3, down from the expected 2.8%. Nonetheless, it’s the mineral exploration and development sector, buoyed by record commodity prices for gold (over $1300/oz) and copper (over $3.50/lb) that are leading the economic recovery. This reality was emphasized recently during Premier Gordon Campbell’s speech at the Union of BC Municipalities convention in Whistler on October 1. The Premier underscored the foundational role that the mineral exploration and mining sector plays in this British Columbia and the importance of maintaining resource roads, building infrastructure, and reforming the federal-provincial environmental assessment process. He also expressed his full support for Taseko’s Prosperity Mine project in the south Cariboo and for building the Northwest Transmission Line in the “Golden Triangle” area of northwest BC. Continue Reading+ |
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| Chuck Davis Presented with Frank Woodside Distinguished Service Award |
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|  Renowned Vancouver author Chuck Davis was presented with the Frank Woodside Past Presidents Distinguished Service Award in recognition of outstanding service to the Association for Mineral Exploration British Columbia (AME BC) in a ceremony on October 21. The Past Presidents and Chairmen of AME BC unanimously selected Mr. Davis as the recipient of the Frank Woodside Past Presidents Distinguished Service Award for his enthusiasm in researching and telling the history of the association in preparation for AME BC’s upcoming centennial in 2012.
Chuck Davis was commissioned in early 2009 to write a history of AME BC, formerly known as the BC & Yukon Chamber of Mines. “Chuck immediately developed a passion for learning about the history of the association and mineral exploration and mine development,” cited Gavin C. Dirom, President & CEO of AME BC. The history of the association, titled Busting Rocks: 100 Years of Mineral Exploration in British Columbia, is scheduled for release during the association’s 100th anniversary celebrations in early 2012. “Chuck’s skill as a wordsmith, his wit and curiosity, and his love for the history of Vancouver and the province are clearly evident,” said Bob Cathro, Past President of AME BC. “The growth of the province's mineral industry, through booms and busts, into one of the strongest in Canada with AME BC's leadership in the evolving social, cultural, environmental and legal world is a fascinating story that is being well told." Mr. Davis was recently diagnosed with terminal cancer and has continued to work on the book with the support of Jim Lyon. Earlier this month, the City of Vancouver, the Vancouver Public Library, and Pacific BookWorld News Society honoured Mr. Davis with the George Woodcock Lifetime Achievement Award, which recognizes one outstanding literary career in British Columbia annually. |
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| Mineral Explorers Applaud Premier Campbell’s Speech at UBCM |
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| Representatives of British Columbia’s mineral exploration sector welcomed Premier Gordon Campbell’s speech at the Union of BC Municipalities convention in Whistler on October 1. “The premier demonstrated tremendous leadership by emphasizing the important role that the mineral exploration and mining sector plays in this province,” said Gavin C. Dirom, president and CEO of the Association for Mineral Exploration British Columbia (AME BC). “The theme of this convention is ‘Forging Gold Standards’, and our members are exploring for, and developing, the mineral deposits of the future. Through his support for maintaining resource roads, building infrastructure, and reforming the federal-provincial environmental assessment process, the premier renewed his commitment to seeing the mineral exploration and mining industry prosper throughout the province.” Premier Campbell expressed his full support for the Prosperity Mine Project in the south Cariboo, and announced the government’s intention to develop a practical and cost-effective program to prevent the decommissioning of resource roads that are used by citizens as well as prospectors and other small business operators in rural BC. The premier also noted his continuing support for initiatives currently underway, including the Northwest Transmission Line. “We look forward to continuing to work with the BC government to ensure that mineral exploration and mining benefit all citizens of the province through investments in geoscience; proper funding of the Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources; and aboriginal capacity building,” concluded Dirom. British Columbia’s safe, modern, mineral exploration and mining sector employs over 85,000 people and represents $7 billion in annual economic activity. There are 10 metal mines as well as 9 coal mines and 35 industrial mineral quarries located throughout the province. In addition to three mines under construction at Mt. Milligan, New Afton, and Copper Mountain, there are currently 25 major mining projects seeking permitting or environmental approvals in BC. |
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| Laureen Whyte Now at Arbutus Consulting |
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| After three years with AME BC, Laureen is returning to her consulting partnership to take on new projects. She will continue to focus her career on corporate social responsibility/sustainable economic development and working with indigenous communities. As well, she will continue to chair the board of the BC Aboriginal Mine Training Association and serve on the executive of the Canadian Centre for Excellence in Corporate Social Responsibility. We appreciate her contributions to AME BC and wish her much success in her future endeavors. Laureen may be reached at laureen.whyte@arbutusconsulting.com or at 778.229.4791. Rick Conte has assumed all duties and responsibilities as Vice President, AME BC. Rick can be contacted at rconte@amebc.ca or at 604.630.3926. |
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| Follow AME BC on Twitter! |
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| You can now follow AME BC on Twitter at @AME_BC. Our twitter feed features news, events, announcements, and is a great way of keeping up to date with our activities. AME BC’s twitter feed is another one of the many ways that AME BC is striving to keep members informed and engaged. |
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| Health & Safety |
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Bloodmobile Comes to Mineral Exploration Roundup
Thursday, January 27, 2011 |
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| It’s as simple as 1-2-3 to donate blood at Mineral Exploration Roundup 2011! - Visit www.blood.ca/eligibility to see if you’re eligible to give blood.
- Call 1 888 2 DONATE (1.888.236.6283) to book your appointment.
- On Thursday, January 27, simply visit the Bloodmobile parked in front of The Westin Bayshore.
The Bloodmobile is a mobile blood donor clinic with four donation beds on a 45-foot portable trailer and runs just like any other kind of clinic, with a registration area, screening rooms, donation beds, and the most important part – cookies and juice! The Bloodmobile is the first of its kind in BC and launched recently on October 8, 2010. The clinic, which runs at various locations throughout Metro Vancouver on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday, will help Canadian Blood Services collect an extra 8,000 donations each year. The Roundup clinic will run from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Thursday, January 27. The Bloodmobile will be parked on Bayshore Drive, in front of The Westin Bayshore. Every minute of every day someone in Canada needs blood, and your one donation can help save the lives of up to three people. Please book your Bloodmobile appointment today! Is your company a Partner for Life? Check to find your Partner ID and join their team. If you wish to become a member of the AME BC Canadian Blood Services Partners for Life team, sign up with ID # ASSO008584 at www.blood.ca/joinpartnersforlife. |
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| Safety Superheroes to be Honoured at 6th Annual Lieutenant Governor’s Awards for Public Safety |
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| Three ‘Safety Superheroes’ have been selected to receive BC’s highest safety honour at the 6th Annual Lieutenant Governor’s Awards for Public Safety on November 23, 2010. The awards, presented by the British Columbia Safety Authority, recognize individuals and organizations who demonstrate exceptional leadership, achievement or innovation in the promotion of safety in BC. “We are proud to announce the 2010 award recipients,” says Harry Diemer, BCSA President and CEO. “Their personal dedication to the promotion of safe practices, procedures, behaviours and attitudes are great examples of the commitment needed to keep communities safe for us all.” 2010 Award Recipients Donald Dahr, WorkSafeBC – Lifetime Achievement Award Bill Meechan, Meech Safety – Exceptional Contribution to Public Safety: Individual Award BC Road Builders & Heavy Construction Association (BCRB)— Exceptional Contribution to Public Safety: Organization Award Awards Luncheon Date: Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Time: 11:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Location: Vancouver Convention Centre (West) For more information, visit www.safetyauthority.ca/events. |
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| Keep your Little Ghouls and Goblins Safe this Halloween! |
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| Halloween is an exciting day for many children and adults alike. This year, keep all your little Ghouls and Goblins safe by reviewing these safety tips: Halloween Candy - Inspect everything your child brings home before they even get a chance to eat any of it.
- Check the ingredients if your child has any food allergies.
- Look for choking hazards, including hard candy and chewing gum, if you have younger children.
- Throw out unwrapped treats or anything that looks like it may have been opened or tampered with.
Costumes - Flame resistant material is important. A child’s costume can easily brush against a lighted candle and catch fire which is why costumes should always be made of flame resistant materials.
- Make sure the costume fits well. A costume that is too long or baggy can drag on the ground causing a child to trip or get it caught in something, which could lead to a serious injury.
- Good Ventilation is very important. Tight masks and other head gear can cause lightheadedness and dizziness, as well as be very uncomfortable.
On the Road - On Halloween evening and night, avoid driving in subdivisions when most trick-or-treating takes place.
- Stay well below the speed limit and give yourself extra time to get to your destination.
- Pay extra attention to what is going around you. Be conscious of sidewalks and roadways and watch for any children darting across the street or in between parked cars.
- When pulling in or out of driveways stay alert of your surroundings.
For more Halloween safety tips and advice, visit http://www2.worksafebc.com/enews/101014/101014.htm |
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| Mineral Exploration News |
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| Bill C-300 Defeated in Vote on October 27 |
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| Bill C-300 was defeated in a 140 to 134 Federal members of Parliament vote on October 27. Bill C-300 was tabled as a private member’s bill in the House of Commons by John McKay (Liberal) on February 9, 2009. The bill proposed that Canadian services and benefits to extractives sector companies operating abroad be contingent upon meeting specific standards for corporate social responsibility (CSR). In other words, if a Canadian-incorporated mining, oil or gas company is deemed to have acted contrary to certain guidelines (not yet defined), punitive measures would result, including cutting off Export Development Canada (EDC) financing and Canada Pension Plan investment. Related Links:
Parliament to vote on mining standards: By Brian Morton, Vancouver |
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| BC Cabinet and Ministry Shuffle Update from AME BC |
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| BC Premier Gordon Campbell announced cabinet changes on October 25 that realigned the provincial government organizational structure, particularly in regard to natural resources management. AME BC staff have discussed the changes with several ministers and will monitor how changes affect members; here are immediate effects on key operational areas of government. - All mineral exploration, mine permitting and regulation will be under the new Ministry of Natural Resource Operations, headed by Minister Steve Thomson. The ministry has two deputy ministers, Doug Konkin (DM and CEO) and Steve Carr (DM and COO). Mr. Konkin was most recently Deputy Minister of Environment, but prior to that spent many years as Deputy Minister of Forests and Lands and is a forester by training. Mr. Carr headed up the Integrated Land Management Bureau, which in recent years has been charged with coordinating and integrating inter-departmental permitting and First Nations consultation. Both are strong deputies with reputations for action and for supporting responsible resource development.
Konkin and Carr will be supported by four Assistant Deputy Ministers. Each ADM will have the same job but with specific regional responsibilities. The four ADMs are John Cavanagh (formerly with Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources), Jody Shimkus (formerly with Environment as well as Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources), Gary Townsend (formerly with the Integrated Land Management Bureau) and Dave Peterson (formerly with Forests and Lands).
- The Mines Inspectorate has been relocated into the new Ministry of Natural Resource Operations as well. The Chief Mines Inspector, Al Hoffman, remains the statutory authority for mining and mine review committees continue to be the vehicle for dealing with mine permitting and amendments. At this time, AME BC understands that the role and authority of the Chief Gold Commissioner will also be part of the new Ministry of Natural Resource Operations under Minister Steve Thomson.
- A new Ministry of Forests, Mines and Lands has been established, headed by Hon. Pat Bell (formerly Minister of Forests and Lands and a former Minister of State for Mining). Hon. Randy Hawes remains Minister of State for Mining and is also part of this ministry. This new ministry is responsible for forestry, mines and lands policy (the new Ministry of Energy, headed by Hon. Bill Bennett, is similarly structured), so all legislative or policy developments will flow from this ministry. However, only the BC Geological Survey, which includes the Mineral Development Office, has been moved into this ministry from the former Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources.
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| 2010 Mining and Sustainability Award |
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| The annual Mining and Sustainability Award seeks to recognize those involved in the BC mineral exploration and mining industry who demonstrate a commitment to sustainability principles and promote the importance of doing so through concrete, practical actions in their day-to-day operations. How to Apply For more information, please click here or download the nomination package, which includes detailed directions on completing all requirements. Submissions and enquiries should be sent to either: Ben Chalmers
Mining Association of British Columbia
Suite 900, 808 West Hastings St.
Vancouver, BC V6C 2X4
Phone: (604) 681-4321 ext. 110
Email: bchalmers@mining.bc.ca or Silvana Costa
Ministry of Energy, Mines
and Petroleum Resources
PO Box 9320, Stn Prov Govt
Victoria, BC V8W 9N3
Phone: (250) 952-0510
Email: silvana.costa@gov.bc.ca Deadline for Nominations is 4:00 pm, Friday, December 31, 2010. |
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| Simpcw First Nation and Commerce Resources Corp. Sign Exploration Agreement |
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| Simpcw First Nation and Commerce Resources Corp. signed an exploration agreement on October 25 for the Commerce's tantalum/niobium project, which is located approximately 10 km north of Blue River. This agreement not only provides confidence to investors, but also formalizes a process for ongoing dialogue for all exploration activities planned for the Blue River property. This agreement calls for Simpcw First Nation band council and Commerce Resources Corp. representatives to conduct a joint review every spring prior to the start of exploration and in the fall to review the field program in order to address and mitigate any concerns or impacts. Related Links:
Simpcw and Commerce sign mineral exploration agreement
Clearwater Times, October 25, 2010 |
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| Mining Matters Column - Joint Initiative between the Smithers Exploration Group and the Town of Smithers |
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| The first "Mining Matters" article was published on March 10, 2010. This is a bi-weekly column that is published in the Interior News, posted on the Town of Smithers website, the Smithers Exploration Group website, and the Regional District of Bulkley Nechako Mining Portal. These articles profile the importance of the mining industry to the community and is a result of the joint initiative between the Smithers Exploration Group and the Town of Smithers. Current Article: October 20, 2010 Article
(click here for back issues) |
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| Geoscience BC News |
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| Geoscience BC Announces Porphyry Integration Project |
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| Geoscience BC has announced the launch of their Porphyry Integration Project. Building on existing data and research collected through Geoscience BC's QUEST Projects (QUEST, QUEST-West and QUEST-South), the project will incorporate the results of many Geoscience BC-funded projects into an integrated model for porphyry system discovery in British Columbia. The Porphyry Integration Project is unique from other recent porphyry deposit research projects focused on BC deposits in its multidisciplinary and regional approach. The project is focused on compilation and integration of large volumes of existing data, including all recent work on research projects, to provide the exploration community with up-to-date maps and real data on porphyry deposits in BC. The deliverables will include hard copy maps that will be a lasting product for use in porphyry project research as well as by companies in their own targeting exercises. Value added to the datasets will include geochemical and geophysical interpretations by Geoscience BC consultants, providing new ideas for industry to use in porphyry exploration targeting. Close collaboration with the Mineral Deposit Research Unit at the University of British Columbia and their ongoing work on B.C. porphyry deposits will add to the project. Specifically, this project will benefit from and collaborate with two ongoing GBC-supported projects at MDRU: - Integrated Geological & Geophysical Porphyry Models: Adding Value to Geoscience BC Geophysical Data (Dianne Mitchinson, Post-Doc)
- Geochemical Models for BC Porphyry Deposits: Outcropping, Blind and Buried Examples (Fred Blaine, Post-Doc)
Geoscience BC will be contacting select companies that hold properties of interest to participate in the project in the near future. For more information, please contact Geoscience BC at info@geosciencebc.com or go to www.geosciencebc.com/s/Porphyry.asp. |
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| Employment Opportunities |
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| Want to Post an Ad on the AME BC Job Board? If you are an employer and would like to post a job, use the post a job function here. The cost for each posting is $200, which will remain active for 45 days. AME BC corporate members receive one free posting with a yearly membership or renewal, with all subsequent postings at a 50% member discounted rate. To use your free posting, please email the complete job posting information to mhughes@amebc.ca. To use your subsequent 50% discount, simply make sure you are logged in and let the payment calculator do the rest. |
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| Courses & Education |
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| AME BC’s tradition of education for the mineral exploration sector dates back to 1918, when it held its first prospecting seminar. Since then, thousands of students have received training in prospecting, mineral exploration, health and safety, and aboriginal engagement through AME BC. Click here to view AME BC’s Education and Professional Development section. Other Professional Development Opportunities Several of AME BC’s Corporate Members have professional development programs geared toward our diverse membership. Current offerings are available here. |
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| Upcoming Events & Conferences |
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| AME BC Events Calendar
Mineral Exploration Roundup 2011 External Event Calendar AME BC helps to facilitate and promote external events that benefit our members. Use this calendar to see what events are on the horizon and get detailed information. |
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| Mining Business Risks Summit 2010 |
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| Take advantage of a 10% discount offered to AME BC members to attend a relevant and unique mining conference. Mining Business Risks Summit 2010
December 5-7, 2010
Sutton Place Hotel, Vancouver, BC The conference is presented by the Fraser Institute, Canada’s leading public policy think tank, publisher of the Fraser Institute Annual Survey of Mining Companies, and CRU Events, the independent authority in metals and mining. As a miner, you face many risks below the ground from geology but increasingly you need to know about risk from above the ground in human form: political instability, predatory taxes, anti-mining NGOs, hostile governments, expropriation, security threats, environmental activists, confusing and conflicting land claims, often retroactive, to name a few. The Mining Business Risks Summit will provide you with comprehensive information about these risks, how to evaluate them and get them under control. The Summit brings together a team of policy experts who will discuss how you and your company can successfully navigate the full field of risk. If you are involved in the mining industry and need a clearer understanding of the impact and evolution of risk in the mining industry, join us in Vancouver, Canada, December 5-7, 2010, at the Sutton Place Hotel, for this premier conference. Who should attend? - Diversified Miners
- Exploration Companies
- Financial Houses
- Risk Insurers
- Law Firms
- Government Institutions
Register before November 5 for the discounted rate of $1084.50 + HST
(after November 5: $1255.50 +HST) How to Register Register online:www.miningrisks.com (Please use Promo Code MBRS1)
Call: 604.688.0221 x525
Email: events@fraserinstitute.org For more information about the conference, please email events@fraserinstitute.org or
call Heather Corbett at 604.688.0221 x525. We look forward to seeing you at the Mining Business Risks Summit 2010! |