New opportunities on the horizon for mineral exploration in Western Canada

The annual AME Roundup conference brings together delegates from across the world for cross-industry collaboration. — Photo courtesy AME Facebook page

The annual Association for Mineral Exploration’s 2020 Roundup has come and gone. Now in its 37th year, the conference brings together cross-industry collaboration, exciting announcements, and innovative programming from the industry’s leading voices. Over 6000 delegates from 38 countries attended this year’s conference, representing industry, government, First Nations, investors and suppliers. Roundup 2020 focused on showcasing projects that represent the passion, skill and innovation of B.C.’s modern mineral exploration industry.

“Roundup continues to serve as a driving force for exploration in Western Canada and we value the opportunity to bring delegates together around the key issues that are affecting our industry today,” said AME President and CEO Kendra Johnston.

Highlights from the 2020 Mineral Exploration Roundup include:

• The 2020 theme session, Seeing the Unseeable, offered attendees insight into new methods of exploring for ore deposits, including new ways to see deposits from their cryptic surface expressions, to ensure improved drilling success.
• Release of new geophysical survey data from Geoscience BC’s Vancouver Island North Regional Project. This data is guiding the search for mineral exploration deposits on Northern Vancouver Island and is expected to renew mineral exploration interest and investment in the area.
• Several announcements made by the Government of the Northwest Territories in support of resource development and exploration, including the launch of regional mineral development strategies by the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation and the Gwich’in Tribal Council to encourage mineral exploration in their regions.
• Insights into what the new UNDRIP legislation may mean for BC’s mineral exploration and development industry from a panel of experts including Doug Caul, Deputy Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation, and Celeste Haldane, BC Treaty Chief Commissioner.
• Attendance from federal, provincial, and municipal leaders including Paul Lefebvre, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Natural Resources Canada; Michelle Mungall, Minister of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources; Caroline Cochrane, Premier of the Northwest Territories; and Scott Fraser, Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation.

The Association for Mineral Exploration’s Roundup will return to the Vancouver Convention Centre East from January 18 to 21, 2021.