Canadian mineral exploration and development representatives Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada (PDAC) president Alex Christopher in December, presented an optimistic convention outlook for 2023.

In this outlook he said 2022 was a year of moving past the pandemic with renewed energy and growth within the sector. He also commended PDAC’s ability to celebrate its ninetieth anniversary with the successful in-person return of the “world’s premier mineral exploration and mining showcase”, noting that he was looking forward to the ninety-first PDAC Convention, to be held in March.

He stated that the return to an in-person event last year demonstrated the global importance of PDAC’s leadership position. “The convention led the way in both attendance and media attention compared with similar industry shows in 2022, attracting over 17 445 attendees from 120 countries.”

Christopher noted that the past year was also characterised by the continued push by both the industry at large and Canada’s own federal government towards transitioning to cleaner energy.

This resulted in a rise in investment capital towards projects involving critical minerals, as well as enhanced funding initiatives and extended tax benefit programmes for critical mineral developments across Canada, he added.

He further explained that these were initiatives that the PDAC advocated strongly for, both from a financial and an environmental stewardship standpoint.

“I am confident that we will continue to see our industry lead the way, by making the most of Canada’s mineral endowment to provide the building blocks the world needs for a cleaner future.”

Moreover, Christopher highlighted the March showcase, held in Toronto, would be using more convention space than in 2022, which he regarded as another positive sign. The PDAC 2023 Convention has a full roster of speakers and programmes that are expected to provide exceptional insight into the industry’s future.

This included a daily Keynote Programme featuring the themes of commodities, mineral outlook, technology and new discoveries. To encourage active discussion and community engagement PDAC was once again offering the extremely popular Presentation and Reception Rooms, where international mining jurisdictions and companies featured their latest products, presented workshops, and made presentations, said Christopher.

Along with the expected slate of expert panels and workshops, PDAC 2023 will be another “industry-leading” showcase spread over almost 600 000 ft2 of both the North and South Building of Toronto’s Metro Toronto Convention Centre.

PDAC Announces 2023 Awards Recipients

PDAC announced the selection of five top international and domestic performers, based on their distinctions, contributions and successes in mineral exploration and development.

In its forty-fifth year, the PDAC Awards will showcase individuals, teams and companies who are exceptional leaders of the industry. Christopher congratulated the following PDAC 2023 Award Recipients for their “outstanding” accomplishments.

Exploration company Great Bear Resources director Chris Taylor and the exploration team have been awarded the Bill Dennis Award for the discovery of the Dixie gold deposit, despite others believing there were no reserves left.

The Skookum Jim Award has been awarded to Glenn Nolan for his leadership in fostering economic opportunities for First Nations on their traditional lands, and for his long history of volunteerism.

The Lundin Foundation received the Sustainability Award for creating an organisation funded by mining revenue with the sole purpose of providing lasting benefits for communities surrounding Lundin Group of Companies operations.

Copper company Chalice Mining GM Kevin Frost and explorer Morgan Frejabise received the Thayer Lindsley Award for the Julimar nickel/copper/platinum-group elements discovery under cover near Perth, Australia in 2020.

Gold producer Alamos Gold president and CEO John McCluskey was awarded the Viola R. MacMillan Award for showing leadership and a willingness to take risks in the acquisition and development of the Island gold mine in Northern Ontario.

“PDAC Awards can be considered the Golden Globes of mineral exploration and development, and I am proud to announce the five deserving recipients that were selected for 2023,” said Christopher.

“We know that our industry is vital for the social and economic strength of Canada, and by honouring excellence through PDAC Awards, we can showcase the responsible ways that mineral exploration and mining makes modern life possible today, tomorrow and into the low carbon future we are headed.”

He said that the recipients would be celebrated at a prestigious Awards Gala on March 7, during the PDAC 2023 Convention.