Technical Sessions (November 20, 2006)

Official Opening and 2006 British Columbia, Alaska & Yukon Exploration Reviews

Monday, January 29, Morning

In addition to the Opening Ceremonies, this session will provide the traditional and highly anticipated British Columbia, Alaska and Yukon exploration reviews.

Community Support: How To Get There?

Monday, January 29, Afternoon

The mineral industry recognizes that support and involvement of local communities is key to successful mineral exploration, development and operations. Excellent information exists for providing guidance for initial contact between industry and communities, such as AME BC’s Mineral Exploration, Mining and Aboriginal Community Engagement Guidebook. The focus of this session will be on what happens following initial contact, and will be of interest to both industry and community members.

Geoscience — Setting the Future!

Tuesday, January 30, Morning

Public geoscience programs provide an important foundation for developing new concepts and knowledge of geology and mineral potential. Geoscience – Setting the future! will focus on regional mapping in frontier areas, and will present the results of economic geology studies and mineral deposits modelling for deposit types significant to the Cordillera.

New Frontiers in Exploration Models and Techniques

Tuesday, January 30, Afternoon

This session will focus on a range of new technologies and techniques as applied to mineral exploration. Topics will be diverse, including the application of oil exploration technology to mineral exploration, data mining in established districts, new mining techniques and advances in 3-D imaging, for both grassroots and advanced projects.

British Columbia Exploration Highlights

Wednesday, January 31, Morning

With recent high commodity prices, exploration expenditures in British Columbia have experienced a dramatic revival since the start of the decade. The province’s proven mineral potential and stable political climate have helped to attract renewed investment. Improvements in exploration technology, industry group initiatives and government support are all helping companies make new discoveries and reassess known deposits. This session looks at the districts and properties from across British Columbia that are exciting explorers.

International Exploration Successes

Wednesday, January 31, Afternoon

Companies presenting in this session have recently released exploration results that attract new investors to the sector. As well as helping to identify future supplies of raw materials to sustain and grow societies around the world, spectacular drill intervals also improve the capital raising ability of the whole junior exploration sector. We all need and crave discoveries, and the presentations in this session confirm that dollars invested in the Canadian junior exploration sector are reaping huge rewards on the international scene.

Concept to Discovery — A Primer for Successful Grass Roots Exploration

Thursday, February 1, Morning

Global spending on mineral exploration is approaching record levels, but reserves continue to decline. Most exploration is directed to known mineral deposits, those discovered in the last century or earlier. Greenfields exploration, by majors and juniors alike, is steadily declining. What are the reasons? Is it time for a renewed effort?

We will begin with three keynote speakers who will examine:

1)the need for new discoveries through grass roots exploration;

2)the ability of junior explorers to finance early stage exploration; and

3)revolutionary new technologies that can be applied in the search for hidden mineral deposits.

We will then learn about the exploration strategies of several greenfields explorers who have enjoyed particular success in recent years.

Hot Commodities — Will Metals Continue to Shine?

Thursday, February 1, Afternoon

Debate abounds about where we are in the commodity cycle, with some pundits calling for a dramatic end and others expounding the concept of a super-cycle. Opinions diverge — however it is clear that supply remains tight due to minimal capital investment in exploration and new mine development over the last 15 years. The time lag for new mine development has also significantly expanded due to increased permitting requirements combined with equipment and labour shortages.

So where are we in the commodity cycle? Is this a supply story or a demand story or a combination of both? This session will address these questions by providing a synopsis of the past, present and future for copper, nickel, uranium, zinc, and precious metals.