CIM celebrates centennial

As the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum (CIM) is celebrating its 100th birthday, it is only fitting that its founding father, Benjamin Taylor A. Bell, was among the latest inductees into the Canadian Mining Hall of Fame.

The CIM’s origins can be traced to 1883, when Bell questioned the legitimacy of Ontario’s first mining association upon learning that its members where chiefly speculators. His admonition led to the creation, in 1894, of the Ontario Mining Institute. Later that year, a proposal was put forward that the institute join forces with other associations. After some initial delays, the first meeting of the Federated Canadian Mining Institute was held in early 1896.

In early 1898, Bell proposed that the time had come to replace the federation of provincial associations with a truly national organization. The member associations soon voted to dissolve the provincial federation and found the Canadian Mining Institute.

Over 10 decades, the CIM grew alongside the industry and professionals that it served. Today, it is the oldest and largest association of professionals in the minerals, metals and petroleum industries in Canada. Membership consists of executives, operations specialists and technical personnel at every level in the minerals and petroleum industries. It boasts 12,000 national members, plus thousands of local members in 55 branches. Corporate members include more than 200 mineral and petroleum resource companies, service providers, equipment manufacturers, and major financial institutions.

Every year, CIM’s societies, divisions, branches and committees organize technical meetings, seminars and various other activities designed to help members stay abreast of the latest developments and trends. The institute also publishes numerous technical journals, including CIM Bulletin, Journal of Canadian Petroleum Technology, Canadian Metallurgical Quarterly and Exploration and Mining Geology Journal.

For its centennial year, the CIM has adopted the theme “Pride in the Past, Vision for the Future” and outlined several objectives, including: educating more Canadians about mining; enhancing the association’s international relations; and promoting Canadian mining technology abroad.