A person could spend half his life attending conferences, seminars, symposia and other professional get-togethers that claim to offer special insights into an industry’s current state of affairs. While chances are probably better than 50-50 against gaining any worthwhile data at these august gatherings, there are a few gems that deliver as much as they promise.
An event scheduled for Ottawa Aug. 12-18 promises a great deal, but it may well turn out to be one of those rare events that will live up to expectations. At least it could for its host which, in effect, is the Canadian mining industry. It could pay off for our mineral exploration industry for years to come.
Judging by the unwritten law that the significance of a conference is inversely proportional to the simplicity of its title, this gathering is bound to be of interest. It is the Eighth Quadrennial Symposium of the International Association on the Genesis of Ore Deposits (IAGOD).
Yes, it is esoteric. But this conference is one that brings together experts from all over the world only once every four years — a kind of Olympics for economic geologists. This is the first time it has been held in Canada and will likely be the last for some time.
What makes this symposium of particular interest is a combination of its timing, its comprehensive field-trip agenda and its list of delegates.
About 800 senior government and academic geologists are expected to attend from around the world — about half will be from outside North America. IAGOD, formed in the early 1960s by geologists in Czechoslovakia and the USSR, retains strong connections there, so many representatives from Eastern Europe are expected.
When it was formed during the height of the Cold War, IAGOD was seen as a way of channelling professional communications between East and West. Otherwise, the exchange of information was greatly restricted by Eastern European governments.
The field-trip agenda is exceptional in that it offers an opportunity for the delegates to see mines and examine geology in virtually every notable geological environment in the country. During the month of August, a variety of trips have been organized to every province and territory except Alberta and Prince Edward Island. It is a remarkable program that will give delegates a chance to see the diversity of Canadian mining.
All in all, this conference gives Canada the opportunity to show the world of economic geologists just what we can do. When delegates return to their homes and resume efforts to maximize their countries’ mineral resources, they will likely refer to their Canadian experience. Two things are likely to stand out from that experience: the high level of co-operation among industry, academia and government that the Canadian mineral industry enjoys; and the variety of mineral deposit types in Canada.
Ultimately, that will mean recognition of Canadian explorationists’ expertise. As a result, should Bulgaria or Ghana, for example, need help to complete some geological work, it might turn to Canada. Chances are we can offer knowledge in areas where other countries lack experience.
The spinoff benefits could be far reaching, but this conference is one instance of Canada taking its place as a leader among mineral producers. Not only is it our duty to share the knowledge we have gained so that others may develop their resources, it is our right to reap the rewards of our mining heritage by selling our skills abroad.
As a result of this conference, and other similar co-operative efforts by industry, government and universities, Canada is a little more likely to come to mind when someone is seeking a solution to a geological problem no matter where they might be in the world.
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