Just a part of a story from Vancouver SunThe Nisgaa and Tahltan Nations are Indigenous members of the B.C. Regional Mining Alliance and Clayton added that her Nation has stayed in frequent contact with exploration companies during the pandemic. The roll out of vaccine programs throughout the province will certainly alleviate the concerns of many in the region, Clayton said. We are optimistic that once the roll out of vaccines is complete, the exploration camps may resume safely at full capacity. Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation Minister Bruce Ralston said the province is putting a priority on delivering vaccinations to First Nations to help protect remote communities with limited access to health care, but that has secondary benefits related to mining exploration. One of the things we have to balance is the economic recovery and the benefit to workers and communities, Ralston said. COVID is pretty relentless, but by following the protocols and rolling out the vaccination program, I think its possible to achieve the kind of public health protections that the public wants. Ralston, who will take part in opening the Remote Roundup, said B.C. is seizing on some momentum in interest for mining with higher prices for key commodities, such as copper, which is in high demand for use in electric cars and renewable energy. There are new mines coming on, and then for exploration, which is the long-term future, theres real optimism, Ralston said. If youre going to have a low-carbon economy, if youre going to have electric charging networks, copper, for example, is intrinsic to the success of so many industries and so many products. For the actual conference, guessing attendance is something of a wild card. Johnston said they anticipate higher international participation since people wont have to travel, but guessed that local participation be lower. It is a conference well known for opportunities to socialize and network, which wont be possible in person this year, as well as its core shack of rock-drilling samples that companies show off where people can lift and touch and feel rocks, Johnston said. However, the organization has worked on building in digital options for networking through digital check ins and chat functions. At this point, the biggest challenge is communicating all of those opportunities and getting the buy in of the individual (that) it will be different, Johnston said.