A Time For Solidarity

What a difference a year makes. Recent swings in the financial markets, like the weather, have been extreme and have affected almost everyone. Future plans, and in many cases the very existence of junior companies, are uncertain. It is precisely at times like this when explorers and developers alike, all over the world, need the support, guidance and direction that attending the PDAC International Convention can provide.

Moving the convention to the South Building of the Metro Toronto Convention Centre in 2008 has opened the way for even more growth in the future. The Investors Exchange of over 600 booths is fully booked and has a waiting list. The more than 340 booths of the Trade Show are fully booked, with an extensive waiting list as well. Our sponsors from last year are on board, and we have added some new ones.

In November 2008, I attended the China Mining conference in Beijing. Many people came by the PDAC booth there and a number of them desperately wanted to get booth space at the 2009 PDAC convention. They wanted to be seen where it counts.

PDAC advocacy efforts, on behalf of explorers and developers, the e-3 environmental excellence in exploration and health and safety initiatives, the international marketing efforts and Canada’s reputation worldwide as a source of expertise for mineral exploration, development and financing have all helped to make this convention the one to attend.

In the past, whenever there have been difficult times in the industry, people have come in large numbers to the convention. The reason is simple: they want the exposure, they want the networking and they want to be able to have an opportunity to market themselves and their products at the best venue possible.

I firmly believe that this current economic downturn has not altered the overall fundamentals that underlie the global mining industry. While the speculative market factors have again proven to be the biggest risk, especially for the junior exploration sector, and most likely will take some time to reset to a new norm, these current market factors are certainly not reflective of the real underlying global need and demand for metals and mineral products.