Toronto’s annual PDAC Convention concludes after attracting 23.8K attendees

The prominent mining industry event had a particular focus on copper and battery metals this time around

Rowan Dunne

Published

March 10, 2023

The 91st annual Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada (PDAC) Convention came to a close on Wednesday after attracting almost 24,000 attendees and 1,100 exhibitors from multiple countries.

The event’s President Alex Christoper said there was a particular focus on copper at this year’s event and said “lithium” was the word searched more than any other on PDAC’s website.

Monday featured a presentation entitled: Electric Materials/Rare Earth Elements and The Amazing Race to Decarbonize; and Tuesday’s lineup featured a presentation entitled “Critical Metals: Battery and Magnet Materials Processing.”

Battery metals were this year’s main focus due to a growing demand for electric vehicles and zero-carbon “green” technologies. Gold also remained popular at the convention and will most likely continue to do so.

Another great PDAC event came to an end. It was an excellent opportunity for professionals to stay up to date with best practises in the mining sector. Thanks to all who stopped by the i-80 Gold booth.#staysafeworkhardminegold pic.twitter.com/1dBKI3fNpQ

— i-80 Gold Corp (@i80GoldCorp) March 10, 2023

Canada’s Minister of Natural Resources Jonathan Wilkinson revealed how $344 million would be invested to help further the country’s $3.8 billion critical minerals strategy at this week’s event.

The Canadian government has allocated $144.4 million to a Critical Minerals Technology and Innovation Program, which will focus on research, development, and adoption of sustainable technologies in critical mineral value chains.

Another $79.2 million has also been allocated for the Critical Minerals Geoscience and Data Initiative, which aims to enhance geoscience and mapping using digital technologies for the efficient development of those value chains.

Other initiatives supported by the funding include a Global Partnerships Program to help establish international supply chains for critical minerals and a Northern Regulatory Initiative to help support exploration endeavours in Canada’s north.

Canada is home to world-leading #innovation.

And on the #PDAC trade show floor, I saw firsthand the innovative technologies and best practices that will enable economic growth, create good #jobs, and support a sustainable and competitive #mining sector. pic.twitter.com/KXvpUDtkwZ

— Jonathan Wilkinson 🇨🇦 (@JonathanWNV) March 9, 2023

In an interview with the Financial Post — the Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment for Northwest Territories Caroline Wawzonek discussed mineral exploration opportunities in Canada’s north.

“We are seeing tremendous interest in critical minerals and metals which is a huge area that is underexplored in the north and we’re seeing that with the kind of exploration that’s happening and what they’re finding,” said Wawzonek.

“We’re also seeing an opportunity right now where there’s a lot of interest in green energy, green opportunities and the infrastructure that goes along with it.”

Other notable highlights

Cámara Minera de México (Camimex), a Mexican mining organization similar to the Mining Association of Canada (MAC) has decided to engage itself with MAC’s Towards Sustainable Mining (TSM) initiative. An official signing ceremony between the two outfits took place this week at the convention.

Chafika Eddine, a Director of Solis Minerals Ltd. (ASX: SLM) (TSX-V: SLMN) (OTCQB: SLMFF) (FSE: 08W) received a Trailblazer of the Year award from Women in Mining Canada during PDAC’s Mining for Diversity awards for her contributions to the country’s mining sector.

Solis is a Latin American company focused on mining battery metals that has 22 lithium exploration licenses in northern Brazil.

“I congratulate her, and believe she is an inspiration across the global mining community,” said Jason Cubitt, another Director of the company.

Calibre Mining (TSX: CXB) is a Canadian gold producer that attended this year’s event. The company gave a presentation about gold on Tuesday during the Corporate Presentation Forum for Investors series.

The event also drew protestors with environmental concerns who concentrated their outrage on companies like Barrick Gold Corporation (TSX: ABX).