Technical Session Preliminary Program (October 19, 2009)

Wednesday, Dec. 2 -Thursday, Dec. 3, 2009 Concurrent sessions run 8:00 am -5:00 pm Friday, Dec. 4 concurrent sessions run 8:00 am -11:30 am Wednesday MorningTechnical Sessions 8:00 am -11:30 am

STATE AND PROVINCE REPORTS

Interest Track: Mineral Deposits, Geology and Exploration

Chair: Alan Coyner, Administrator, Nevada Division of Minerals, Carson City, NV

Session Description: Get the very latest update on all mining, minerals, and energy activity in the key states and provinces. From gold to sand and gravel, from exploration to production, this is a must session for exploration, miners, and investors. Bring your notebook and find out what is really happening from the regional experts in our business. Today’s latest news is tomorrow’s golden opportunity.

NEVADA PROSPECTORS FORUM – PART 1

Interest Track: Mineral Deposits, Geology, and Exploration Chairs: Mark J. Abrams, Exploration Manager, Agnico-Eagle (USA) Limited, Reno, NV; Eric M. Struhsacker, Senior Geologist, AuEx, Inc. Reno, NV

Session Description: The Nevada Prospector’s Forum will consist of two sessions, Wednesday and Friday mornings. The Forum will feature short presentations describing mineral and geothermal energy prospects in Nevada and adjacent locations in the Basin and Range. The forum will provide explorationists an opportunity to discuss the mineral endowment and promising targets of their prospects in the context of geologic setting and style of mineralization.

POWER SESSION I – THE BUSINESS CASE FOR STRATEGIC ENERGY MANAGEMENT

Interest Track: Business and Finance

Chairs: Ann S. Carpenter, President & CEO, Remote Energy Solutions, Reno, NV; Luke J. Russell, Vice President Environmental Services, Coeur d’Alene Mines Corporation, Coeur d’Alene, ID

Session Description: The 1st of a 2-part session, this session will be presented as a panel discussion with questions and answers following the 5 topics.

OPEN PIT MINES — MINING IN CHALLENGING TIMES — EVALUATION & PLANNING FOR MINE OPTIMIZATION

Interest Track: Operations

Chair: William B. Goodhard, Vice President & General Manager — Round Mountain Gold Corp., Round Mountain, NV

Session Description: Open Pit Mining is not insulated from the challenges presented by the global economic down-turn. Our session will examine how surface mining operations are addressing these challenges and looking to the future demands on production once the economy turns around. Innovations in technology, operations, planning, and cost reduction are the basic tool kit that are driving success and reviewed in this session.

LARGE LEFT LATERAL LEAPS FOR ENVIRONMENTAL PROFESSIONALS — OR — NUCLEAR ADMISSIONS

Interest Track: Environmental

Chairs: Dr. Terry Mudder, President, Times Limited, Sheridan, WY; Lee ‘Pat’ Gochnour, Principal, Gochnour & Associates, Inc., Parker, CO Session Description: This session is intended to explore unconventional, unpopular, politically incorrect or even wacky ideas related to the nuclear power industry including its role in energy strategy, carbon offsetting, solid waste management, permitting, environmental issues and all other controversial areas. Audience participation is not only allowed, but essential to the success of the session. Provocative, spirited discussion is encouraged so dust off those hair-brained ideas, get out your “if I could change things” list and join in the fun.

Wednesday Afternoon Technical Sessions 2:00 -5:30 pm

ALASKA PROJECTS UPDATE 2009

Interest Track: Mineral Deposits, Geology, and Exploration

Chairs: Steve Borell, Executive Director, Alaska Miners Association, Anchorage, AK; Steve Denton, Vice President Business Development, Usibelli Coal Mine, Inc., Healy, AK

Session Description: Alaska’s mining industry continues to expand as several significant new projects mature and initiatives at existing operations increase output and/or reserves. Several major new precious and base metal projects have entered the project definition stage and are expected to begin permitting in 2009 or the near future. Alaska’s vast coal resources appear poised to take a larger picture in the world and national energy picture as the Department of Defense launches an Alaska synthetic fuels initiative and export demand for Alaska coal continues to grow.

GROWTH COMPANIES INTO 2009 – PART 1

Interest Track: Business and Finance

Chairs: Ralph R. Noyes, CPRS, Associate Vice President — Investments, Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC, Coeur d’Alene, ID; James D. Frank, Chairman, JDF Consulting LLC, Hayden Lake, ID

Session Description: This year’s edition of Growth Companies will continue to focus on companies that are experiencing growth in spite of market conditions. Again we will try to feature small to mid size companies targeting either precious or base metals. These companies will continue to make new discoveries, develop new mines, or increase their production, returning real value to their shareholders in the coming years. Presentations will focus on each company’s management, corporate philosophy for growth, share performance, and a broad portfolio of exciting exploration and mining properties.

UNDERGROUND MINING — PRACTICAL SOLUTIONS TO MINING IN THE MODERN WORLD

Interest Track: Operations

Chair: Nigel Bain, Manager, Goldstrike Underground Division, Barrick Goldstrike, Inc., Elko, NV

Session Description: High cost of materials, challenges with experienced manpower, fluctuation in commodity pricing, capital scarcity, and the green movement. How to survive in the world of mining? Success depends on practical thinking, working as partners with all venues of supplies and equipment, and making certain that every step counts. Sharing ideas, discussing success stories, and networking as an industry will ensure safe, efficient production. As things seem to be moving in the direction of a global economy so must the mining industry move toward global success.

URANIUM

Interest Track: Operations

Chair:George M. L. Robinson, Principal, R Squared, Inc., Centennial, CO

Session Description: Uranium is the only viable option to meet the ‘new’ energy policy goals and objective. The session will provide a brief introduction to exploring and producing the ‘green’ energy of the future. Case studies related to convention and in-situ uranium recovery will be presented including the presentation of the regulatory, political and public challenges facing the industry.

STRATEGIES FOR OPTIMIZING MINE WASTE MANAGEMENT

Interest Track: Environmental

Chairs: Eur. Geol, Robert Bowell, PhD. C. Chem C. Geol., Principal Geochemist, SRK Consulting, Cardiff, Wales, UK; Lisa Bithell Kirk, M. S., P. G., Doctoral Candidate, Principal Geochemist, Enviromin, Inc., Bozeman, MT

Session Description:Mining companies are continually assessing new ways to mine more efficiently and thus improve profit and shareholder return. Historically, environmental management has been seen as a “cost” that is necessary to limit liability, when in fact, optimized waste management systems can reduce net mining, processing and closure costs. Papers presented in this session will address methods of mine waste handling, placement, and reuse that can reduce operating c
osts by improving environmental compliance and overall mining efficiency throughout the mine life cycle.

MERCURY CONTROL MEASURES

Interest Track: Legislative & Public Affairs

Chair:Nevada Mining Association, Reno, NV

Session Description: Mercury occurs naturally at many gold ore deposits in Nevada. During ore processing, mercury can be liberated and also can be vaporized and released to the atmosphere. Mercury from numerous natural and industrial sources can be transported to surface water bodies where it can be consumed by fish. Advisories are in place to limit fish consumption from numerous water bodies around the world due to elevated mercury concentrations and associated health concerns.

Recognizing the issue, gold mining operators in Nevada have had in place for many years air pollution control devices to capture mercury so that it is not released to the atmosphere. Mercury can be vaporized when ore, carbon, or gold concentrates are heated. Air pollution control devices are in place at ore roasters and autoclaves, carbon regeneration kilns, electrowinning circuits, retorts and melting furnaces. Operators in Nevada as well as the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection (NDEP) were the recipients of the 2003 EPA award for Outstanding Achievement for participation in the Voluntary Mercury Reduction Program. More recently, NDEP passed regulations to build off the successful voluntary program to require a mandatory program for air pollution control of mercury which is commonly referred to as Nevada MACT (Maximum Achievable Control Technology).

Thursday Morning Technical Sessions 8:00 -11:30 AM

NEVADA GEOTHERMAL UPDATE

Interest Track: Mineral Deposits, Geology & Exploration

Chair: John Snow, Geothermal Commissioner, Nevada Commission on Mineral Resources, Reno, NV

Session Description: Nevada continues to experience a record-breaking level of geothermal energy exploration and development. Geothermal energy companies face many of the same challenges that the mining industry does in exploration, permitting, drilling and capital requirements. This session will provide you with information concerning geothermal energy policy, exploration techniques, new project startups, and a summary of all the latest geothermal developments in Nevada.

DISCOVERING CHINA AND MONGOLIA: EXPLORATION TO MINING

Interest Track: Mineral Deposits, Geology and Exploration

Chair: Dr. Dean McDonald, Vice President Exploration, Hecla Mining Company, Vancouver, BC CANADA

Session Description: Asia is on an aggressive growth path. Due to outstanding mineral endowment, market liberalization policies and revised mining laws China and Mongolia have been successful in attracting foreign exploration and mining capital. This session will look at known ore occurrences and the method of their formation, regional geological potential and some of the key exploration projects and case studies from leading industry players. We will also look at the challenges of working in these countries.

POWER SESSION DEUX -STRATEGIC ENERGY MANAGEMENT CASE STUDIES

Interest Track: Business and Finance

Chairs: Ann S. Carpenter, President & CEO, Remote Energy Solutions, Reno, NV

Luke J. Russell, Vice President Environmental Services, Coeur d’Alene Mines Corporation, Coeur d’Alene, ID

Session Description: This session will present case studies relating to the following 5 topics discussed in Wednesday morning’s Power Session I.

HEALTH AND SAFETY -CULTURE OF PREVENTION

Interest Track: Operations

Chair: Fred Fox, Manager, The Trapper Consulting LLC, Salt Lake City, UT

Session Description: A successful culture of accident and illness prevention embeds safety and health as core values in all initiatives and ongoing activities. This session will address health and safety initiatives and activities available from regulatory agencies, trade associations and mine operators. We will examine compliance enhancement and risk-based health and safety initiatives and existing support programs including education and training to help operators comply with health and safety requirements. This session is intended to plant ideas and provide available resources for reducing accidents and illnesses in the mining industry.

ENVIRONMENTAL LAW AND MINING IN THE OBAMA ERA

Interest Track: Environmental

Session Chairs: Fred R. Wagner, Principal, Beveridge & Diamond, PC, Washington, DC

Peter J. Schaumberg, Of Counsel, Beveridge & Diamond, PC, Washington, DC

Session Description: A new administration has brought with it a renewed focus on all things related to environmental protection and enforcement. All aspects of mining have been or will be impacted by changes to the already broad scope of federal environmental regulation. This panel will feature expert legal and environmental professionals who can help you keep track of the modified and/or anticipated new requirements facing the mining industry.

Thursday Afternoon Technical Sessions 2:00 -5:30 pm

TRADITIONAL LARGE LEFT LATERAL LEAPS

Interest Track: Mineral Deposits, Geology, and Exploration

Chairs: Ann Carpenter, President & CEO, Remote Energy Solutions, Reno, NV

Harry E. Cook, Consultant, Carbonate Geology LLC, Redwood City, CA

Session Description: Please come join in the Large Left Lateral Leaps (LLLL) Technical Session for 2009. We will continue the unconventional and hopefully provocative format of geological paradigm shifts. The talks will encompass innovative presentations and interpretations in an attempt to move ourscience forward. ‘Thinking Outside the Box” is deeply encouraged, with continued focus on retaining scientific integrity and respecting the geologic fences of the data presented — grounding the science while encouraging “leapage” forward. As is the convention we will provide traditional refreshments to help motivate and coax discussions and opining from the audience and presenters alike. We are looking for the provocative, unconventional, and controversial — all driving lively discussions forward.

GROWTH COMPANIES INTO 2009 — PART II

Interest Track: Business and Finance

Chairs: Ralph R. Noyes, Associate Vice President -Investments, Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC, Coeur d’Alene, ID

James D. Frank, Chairman, JDF Consulting LLC, Hayden Lake, ID

Session Description: Part II of this year’s edition of Growth Companies will continue to focus on companies that are experiencing growth in spite of market conditions. Again we will try to feature small to mid size companies targeting either precious or base metals. These companies will continue to make new discoveries, develop new mines, or increase their production, returning real value to their shareholders in the coming years. Presentations will focus on each company’s management, corporate philosophy for growth, share performance, and a broad portfolio of exciting exploration and mining properties.

METALLURGY

Interest Track: Operations

Chair: Dr. Corby G. Anderson, CEng FIChemE, Harrison Western Professor of Metallurgical & Materials Engineering, Colorado School of Mines, Golden, CO

Session Description: Mexican mining activity is focused on ores which are quite different from the normal low-grade disseminated gold model, and these can change the economics for the exploration geologist.
This session will present some recent applications.

ALTERNATIVE USES FOR CLOSED MINE SITES CASE STUDIES

Interest Track: Environmental

Chair: Thomas W. Crosby, Principal Engineering Geologist, Stantec Consulting Services, Inc., Lafayette, CA

Session Description: Closed mines have been utilized for a wide variety of positive end uses. This session will provide an overview of uses for both underground and surface post closure uses, as well as case studies for specific mines. Surface mines have been utilized for wildlife habitat, recreational lakes, race tracks, commercial and residential development, and mixed use applications. Underground mines have been used for records and data storage, power generation, gas storage, scientific research, tourist attractions and other uses.

IT IS NOT TOO EARLY: THE VALUE OF CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY (CSR) IN EXPLORATION AND PROJECT DEVELOPMENT

Interest Track: Legislative & Public Affairs

Chair: Caroline Rossignol, Manager, Corporate Social Responsibility, Barrick Gold Corporation, Vancouver, BC

Session Description: Constructive engagement at the earliest stages of resource development projects minimizes permitting delays and operational disruptions, facilitates access to local work-forces and contributes to building positive relationships with important stakeholders including landowners, Indigenous communities, and local non-government organizations. Speakers in this session will share their experiences in managing this critical, yet controllable, variable in developing successful mining projects.

Friday Morning Technical Sessions 8:00 -11:30 am

ADVANCES IN IDENTIFYING CONCEALED MINERAL DEPOSITS

Interest Track: Mineral Deposits, Geology, and Exploration

Chair: Dave Frank, Outreach Coordinator, U. S. Geological Survey, Spokane, WA

Session Description:Speakers will describe progress of current USGS research designed to improve our ability to identify concealed mineral deposits. Study areas include primary characteristics of concealed mineral deposits, characteristics of post-mineralization cover, geophysical and geochemical techniques for identifying concealed mineral deposits, and methods of combining datasets to produce estimates of possibility/probability.

NEVADA PROSPECTORS FORUM -PART II

Interest Track: Mineral Deposits, Geology, and Exploration Chairs: Eric M. Struhsacker, Senior Geologist, AuEx, Inc. Reno, NV Mark J. Abrams, Exploration Manager, Agnico-Eagle (USA) Limited, Reno, NV

Session Description: This is a continuation of Wednesday’s Nevada Prospectors Forum. We will continue to feature short presentations describing mineral and geothermal energy prospects in Nevada and adjacent locations in the Basin and Range. The forum will provide explorationists an opportunity to discuss the mineral endowment and promising targets of their prospects in the context of geologic setting and style of mineralization.

OPEN PIT MINES & UNDERGROUND MINING – A COMBINATION SESSION

Interest Track: Operations

Chair: Nigel Bain, Manager, Goldstrike Underground Division, Barrick Goldstrike, Inc., Elko, NV Session Description: A continuation of Wednesday morning’s Open Pit Mines and Wednesday afternoon’s Underground Mining sessions, this session features the following talks and speakers:

• Cooperation on Computer-based Driver Training to Reduce Accidents, Mark B. Nelson, President, FrameworkSolutions, Inc., Midway, UT

• Blinded by the Light: the Truth About LiDAR Mapping, Ken Wrede, Technical Representative & Project Manager -Mining, Fugro Horizons, Inc., Rapid City, SD

• Review of Performance of Organic Coatings with expandable Rock Bolt Products, Francois Charette, P. Eng., M. Sc., Technical Manager, DSI Mining Canada, , Salt Lake City, UT

• Mapping -The Haulroad to Success?, Ken Wrede, Technical Representative & Project Manager -Mining, Fugro Horizons, Inc., Rapid City, SD

MINE WATER TREATMENT — THE STATE OF ECHNOLOGY TO MEET INDUSTRY AND REGULATORY DEMANDS

Interest Track: Environmental

Chair: Scott Benowitz, P. E., President, Water Engineering Technologies, Inc., Bozeman, MT

Session Description: Water treatment in mining operations continues to mature due to mill process requirements, the need to meet lower permit effluent limits, and advancing global sustainability initiatives. This session will focus on existing and future mine water treatment requirements experienced by industry and envisioned by regulators; and technological advances in conventional and passive water treatment technologies for process recycle, discharge, and mineral sequestration.

LEGISLATIVE AND REGULATORY AFFAIRS

Interest Track: Legislative and Public Affairs

Chair: Laura Skaer, Executive Director, Northwest Mining Association, Spokane, WA

Session Description: The 111th Congress has seen the re-introduction of Chairman Rahall’s Mining Law Reform bill that passed the House in November, 2007 and the introduction of a Senate bill (S. 796) by Jeff Bingaman (D-NM). Both bills would result in significant uncertainty, curtail mineral production on public lands, export tens of thousands of high paying jobs, and increase America’s reliance on foreign sources of minerals. In July, Rep. Doug Lamborn (R-CO) introduced an alternative to the Rahall bill that industry can support (H. R. 3201) and an industry-supported Good Samaritan bill (H. R. 3203). Meanwhile, the administration and Congress are focusing on renewable energy production without clearly understanding the connection between ‘clean energy’ and the need for more mining; EPA is increasing the regulatory burden on our industry and reinterpreting regulations that will make it more difficult or impossible to mine; and the public continues to demand the products mining provides, but doesn’t want the mine ‘in their backyard.’ Industry experts will examine these issues and others that are challenging America and the future of the domestic mining industry.