It remains the biggest networking event on the Canadian mining calendar.
But this year the Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada convention takes on a fresh look with new leaders at the helm and some nifty mobile technology to help delegates find their way around the exhibition halls of the Toronto Convention Centre.
Taking over the executive director role is Ross Gallinger, the former senior-vice-president, health, safety and sustainability with IamGold Corp. (TSX: T.IMG, Stock Forum) (NYSE: IAG, Stock Forum).
A 52-year-old native of Port Coquitlam, British Columbia, he succeeds Tony Andrews, who stepped down last July after 25 years in charge of day-to-day operations. Also retired is Saley Lawton, PDAC’s veteran communications director.
In an interview with Stockhouse, Gallinger praised his predecessors for building the convention to the point where it can regularly attract around 30,000 registrants, including visitors from 130 countries.
But as the organizers gear up for another record year [in terms of expected attendance], Gallinger declined to say whether he thinks the convention should expand beyond its current home. He offered no indication as to what changes the industry might want to see in 2013.
Those decisions likely won’t be made until after this year’s convention is over.
“Part of our strategic plan is looking at what we want to do with the convention moving forward,’’ he said. “I’m looking forward to that conversation and receiving feedback from our membership.’’
Since the PDAC has traditionally been an advocate for the mining sector in areas such as land access and corporate social responsibility, the new role likely won’t be that much of a stretch for Gallinger, who has worked in the sector for nearly 30 years.
His first job was helping to build environmental management systems for Placer Dome Inc. (the Vancouver-based mining giant that was swallowed by Barrick Gold Corp. (TSX: T.ABX, Stock Forum) (NYSE: ABX, Stock Forum) in 2006. A University of British Columbia graduate, with a degree in agriculture, he is a founding member and former co-chair of the Devonshire Initiative.
Devonshire is a group of leading Canadian development NGOs and mining companies working together in response to the emerging social agenda surrounding mining and community development issues.
As he prepares for his first convention as executive director, Gallinger said the talk this year will likely concentrate on global economic uncertainty and how that might continue to impact the mining industry, in relation to key areas such as access to capital.
It is why Sunday’s opening speaker session will focus on the outlook for all of the key commodities that underpin the industry, driving exploration, financing, and hiring. They include everything from copper and gold to molybdenum.
Sunday’s opening speaker sessions will also feature a discussion on the discovery side of mining, one that looks at topics such as “why good students may be poor explorationists.’’
On Monday, the keynote session subject matter switches to human resource challenges and training aboriginal people to work in the mining sector.
Gallinger said he started attending the PDAC convention during the mid 1990s when it was still housed at the Royal York Hotel. But as the 4-day convention has expanded into the nearby convention centre, it has also attempted to broaden its appeal beyond pure exploration.
This year, courses on aboriginal awareness, investment fundamentals, and understanding the duties of junior mining companies and directors are sold out. So too is Tuesday’s student-industry networking luncheon.
Also sold out is the traditional Monday evening awards gala, which this year is sponsored by Franco-Nevada Mining Corp. (TSX: T. FNV, Stock Forum) and (NYSE: FNV, Stock Forum).
Osisko Mining Corp. (TSX: T.OSK, Stock Forum) is the winner of the Viola R. MacMillan award for company or mine development. Osisko is being recognized for bringing its Canadian Malartic gold property in Quebec into production in May 2011 and for its attention to community concerns, including the resettlement of over 150 homes.
Detour Gold Corp. (TSX: T.DGC, Stock Forum) President and CEO Gerald Panneton will receive the Bill Dennis Award for Canadian discovery and prospecting success, a nod to his role in advancing the Detour Lake property in northern Ontario.
Attendees who have trouble navigating their way around the will be aided by NMN mobi, a mobile guide that runs on a wide range of portable devices including iPhones, the Blackberry, and Android Google phones. “Mobi Masters” will be available at convention kiosks to show how it works.