The north-central B.C. branch of the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum (CIMMP) is expecting a huge turnout to its annual general meeting in Prince George this week,reflecting the mining sector's growing importance in the regional economy.
"I think we're the fastest growing branch in all of Canada," said local branch treasurer Trent Bilodeau of United Petroleum Products. Less than 40 members were involved in a basically dormant group when, in about 2010, a spirit of renewal took hold. They are up over the 160-member mark now, a feat that won them the national association's Mel W. Bartley Award for progress in representing the objectives of the institute.
"We had 62 people [attend the AGM] in 2010 and we're expecting roughly 170 or 180, which is also good for the town," Bilodeau said, adding almost all of them are coming in from out of town.
Bilodeau and branch president LaMarre of Taseko Mines Ltd. said the success was due in part to an aggressive board that embraced the challenge of ramping the group up.
"We see a community value in it," LaMarre said. "A lot of mining is happening in northern B.C., and it has for years and years. It's a big part of northern B.C.'s history. So why shouldn't we be a vibrant branch? It's an exciting time to be part of mining, other people see the value of a strong organization behind it so they have joined with us, so we're running with it."
Evidence of this is the long list of speakers and presenters on this year's agenda. Most major mining firms working in the area will be giving technical briefings, regional geologist Paul Jago will expound on the collective slate of mining activities in the broader area, and the keynote speaker is Imperial Metals CEO Brian Kynoch.
Another major component of the AGM is a charity golf tournament at Aberdeen Glen to raise funds for Northern Friends of Children, an organization helping families when a child must undergo out-of-town medical treatments. The group is also busy raising money for other efforts.
"We commited to a $50,000 bursary for CNC's mining courses and this year we will be able to complete that," said Bilodeau. "We are about $10,000 away - quite a bit ahead of schedule. We also support the Heavy Metal Rocks and Yes2It programs. We are an educational society. That's one of the main reasons we exist, and why the mining companies and supply companies support us."
The AGM starts tomorrow at the Coast Inn of the North and continues Wednesday and Thursday.
