Photo by: Bloomberg
TORONTO (miningweekly.com) – The Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada (PDAC) convention has drawn more than 25 000 delegates for the fourth consecutive year, the organisers reported on Wednesday.
In total, 25 122 investors, analysts, mining executives, geologists, government officials, students and international delegations descended on Toronto’s Metro Convention Centre, confirming the yearly event as the world’s foremost event for the mineral industry.
“We are thrilled with the turnout. The mood was very optimistic amongst attendees,” new PDAC president Rodney Thomas said.
Highlights from the PDAC 2014 convention included a visit from the Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper. The Prime Minister and 49 federal Parliamentarians attended to lend their support for the mineral industry.
“The PDAC convention has emerged as a critical venue for public policy discussions that our sector needs to have in order to be successful,” PDAC executive director Ross Gallinger said.
Further, the PDAC hosted 20 international mines Ministers, a new record number.
“We have seen tremendous growth and interest from senior levels of government from around the world. This is a testament to the opportunity that the PDAC convention provides for learning, networking and exposure,” Gallinger said.
The PDAC welcomed Peruvian Vice President Marisol Espinoza, who toured the convention and took in a series of bilateral meetings. Peru also became the first-ever country sponsor, a unique opportunity to highlight the country’s interests in mineral exploration and development.
Now in its eighty-second year, the PDAC convention is more diverse than ever before. A number of events, including the CSR Event Series, Aboriginal Programme and Investors Exchange garnered overwhelming support from the general public, reflecting the dynamic nature of the industry.