Minerals South 2015

The trade show and various social events held during the conference will give mining professionals a chance to network and learn about other areas of the sector. — photo courtesy East Kootenay Chamber of Mines

An opportunity to network and learn about the diversification of the mining industry is coming to Cranbrook, B.C., on November 3 to 5, 2015. The East Kootenay Chamber of Mines (EKCM) proudly presents the 11th annual Minerals South Conference & Trade Show.

This event showcases what southeastern B.C. has to offer, and it brings together a variety of industry leaders—from geoscientists and geophysicists to explorationists and suppliers. Over 100 delegates from various mining companies are expected to be in attendance.

Speaking at this year’s conference on the topics of innovation in the industry and mine site reclamation are Mike Hambalek from Caliper Machine & Hydraulics Ltd. and Mike Keefer of Keefer Ecological Services Ltd. Both talks, which will take place on Tuesday evening, are free for the public. Individuals can also discover new technologies in the industry by attending the trade show, which is open to the public and free as well.

For the delegates, there will be a short course with hands-on activities. The topic has yet to be announced.

“In 2013, we had it on 3-D geophysical modelling from the Geological Survey of Canada,” said Jason Jacob, president of EKCM.

Delegates can also take part in a field trip. According to Jacob, there are tentative plans for it to take place at one of the mines in the area.

The banquet on Wednesday evening will give the delegates more opportunity to network and it will allow the EKCM to thank the industry by handing out awards to industry leaders.

The conference usually includes a Junior Miners Program, which invites school-aged children to come and learn about rocks and minerals. — photo courtesy East Kootenay Chamber of Mines

Mining has historically been a main industry in the Kootenays. Teck’s five coal mines in the Elk Valley are often the first to come to mind, but Jacob said the East Kootenay region is also home to several industrial mines that go unnoticed.

“We’ve got CertainTeed Gypsum in Invermere and Baymag (in Radium Hot Springs) . . . ” said Jacob. “There’s also a silica mine north of Golden and a tufa mine by Spillimacheen. These are industrial mines that are operating within the East Kootenay and people don’t even realize they exist, and that those minerals that are coming out are being processed and utilized in their everyday products.”

Jacob said the demand for riprap and landscaping rock in Western Canada has also created a number of new rock quarry mines, especially in the Cranbrook area.

Despite a major downturn in the mining industry, there are areas of this resource sector that are still thriving, and Jacob is confident that in time the rest of the industry will rebound as well.

“The industry goes through cycles—it always happens,” said Jacob. “2011 was a high cycle. In 2013, it started to slide down. Right now, we’re hopefully at the bottom of the low cycle. There’s no money to raise, but it is how companies work to accumulate ground and grow. Eagle Plains Resources is one of the very big success stories of that. When they went through the down cycle in the 1990s, they stayed in B.C. when everybody was leaving and acquired properties in B.C. and when the cycle spun up, they turned those properties into huge assets.”

Minerals South 2015

When: November 3 to 5, 2015
Where: Heritage Inn Hotel & Convention Centre in Cranbrook, B.C.
Organized by: East Kootenay Chamber of Mines
More info: See the EKCM website

When: November 3 to 5, 2015
Where: Heritage Inn Hotel & Convention Centre in Cranbrook, B.C.
Organized by: East Kootenay Chamber of Mines
More info: See the EKCM website