The Minerals North annual mining conference for northern B.C. is chipping away at the calendar. This year, the three-day trade show will happen in Vanderhoof from May 21 to 23. About 500 delegates and exhibitors are expected to attend.
"Minerals North is a venue for developing business relationships and providing a northern perspective on mining," said 2014 chair Brian Frenkel, a town councillor in Vanderhoof. He said this was the first time in the 25-year history of the conference that it has been held in Vanderhoof and it represents the largest conference the town has ever hosted.
"This is a fantastic opportunity for Vanderhoof to help showcase the mineral opportunities in the North," Frenkel said. " Even though the economic conditions have not been favourable to the mining industry over the past few years we have had great response to the conference in regards to attendance and corporate sponsorship."
This year's conference will feature speakers from the mining industry, the provincial government, and First Nations. The conference will also feature a minerals art show, a mining tradeshow and will have a youth education component.
The two keynote speakers are Osoyoos Indian Band chief Clarence Louie and visionary business strategist Jim Bottomley.
An industry all-star panel will also field topics prominent in the modern mining industry.
"I'm confident the exploration and mining industries will be around for at least another century or two as the world needs minerals to build new technologies and improve the quality of life for people everywhere," Frenkel said.
Vanderhoof is closely connected to mining like never before. While the town's past is rooted thickly in agriculture and forestry, the proposed New Gold-Blackwater gold mine nearby is already pumping millions into the local economy and it hasn't even opened yet.
The conference is expected to be a little gold mine itself. Built to be portable and fit into the small towns of the north, this year's edition is expected to inject about $600,000 into the Vanderhoof economy and the surrounding region.
The trade show component of the event is sold out of booth space, but there are plenty of delegate passes available to take in all the businesses on display, the public discussions and the networking opportunities. There are levels of cost for attending different components of the event, to a maximum of $185 for the full array of conference activities and events. First Nations travel bursaries are also available. For registration and information, go to the event's website.
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