The Minerals North mining conference organizers moved their event by one weekend this year, smack into the path of a conflicting major trade show.
They traditionally hold their annual event on the May long weekend but bumped it this year to May 27-29 (preliminary optional events on May 26) and collided into the Canada North Resources Expo on at the same time at CN Centre in Prince George.
Minerals North organizer Sue Clark said the northern economy is busy now to the point that it's hard to choose any date that doesn't conflict in some way, but in this case they are suffering no ill effects heading into this year's edition, being held in Mackenzie.
"It was a bit of an issue on our minds, it gave us nerves at first," said Clark, when they realized they were stacked up with the big biennial all-industries multi-event. "But our trade show filled up well in advance. That's the biggest component of our event, and it is full. And we really went after the clients to make sure it was going to work so it has brought out people who don't normally come. We have a different trade show profile than we've seen before, so it feels fresh and exciting."
Even the Canada Winter Games has had a discernible effect on the event, with traditional sponsors unable to commit resources to Minerals North after supporting the Games, but Clark said that was all for the greater good of the area and will rebound. In the meantime, the conference again found new contacts.
What could have troubled the event more critically is the global price of natural resource commodities. Operational mining companies are not making the same amount of money this past year or two.
However, those searching for new deposits are still doing their work, and those with proposed mines for the near future are still setting up to begin work in anticipation of stronger prices soon.
Government is certainly still in the business of environmental, safety and taxpayer value regulations while First Nations are, thanks to the success of the William (Tsilqot'in) Case at the Supreme Court, more firmly ensconced than ever before in territorial land-use consultations.
With all the other industries active in the region on big-scale projects, labour shortages and skills training is front-of-mind thinking for those active in the sector or aspiring to be active.
Downturn in prices or no, the mining industry has a lot to talk about these days, and Minerals North is always the northern region's smartest conversation about rocks, minerals and rare earth.
"The market conditions have caused the industry to do a rethink and it has caused us to do a rethink," Clark said. "We have a couple of those things I'm really looking forward to myself, like the talk by BCIT's Rob Stevens the day before: a mining essentials course for the lay-person to understand the mining industry from exploration to reclamation so we are bringing that education to the community.
"I'm also looking forward to the discussion on unmanned aerial vehicles (drones) used for mapping.
"We also have the McLeod Lake Indian Band doing a cultural workshop, which is much different for us. We have typically made sure to have important aboriginal issues on our agenda, as they pertain to the mining industry, but this is taking a step away from 'how do we communicate?' and a step toward 'who are we?'"
There is a heavy emphasis on youth engagement this year, and a big presence from Barkerville for some entertaining education rooted in local mining.
The province's Minister of Energy And Mines, Bill Bennett, will be one of the keynote speakers. Three-time Grey Cup winner and retired CFL superstar Geroy Simon is another.
For a full description of speakers, discussion panels, and other trade show/conference features, look up the Minerals North website and click on the 2015 agenda.
Clark recommended looking over the schedule of events as soon as possible and making the necessary plans to attend, since this is one of the years Minerals North is happening in one of the region's small towns. Accommodations must be confirmed in advance.
"It presents different challenges when it's in a smaller community," said Clark. "We have to be creative around catering and accommodation, however that means lots of variety and more community inclusion than when you do it at a larger place. It is part of the goal of the association to make sure the smaller communities always have a chance to host. This conference engages First Nations, communities large and small, different levels of government, and industry all in the same smaller, quieter room than a lot of other industrial conference settings."
