Minerals South conference in Cranbrook November 7 to 9

The Minerals South Conference runs from November 7 to 9, and is held at the Heritage Inn Hotel and Convention Centre.

The Minerals South Conference runs from November 7 to 9, and is held at the Heritage Inn Hotel and Convention Centre in Cranbrook. — Photo courtesy Teck/EKCM

More than 100 people from across North America’s mining and natural resource sector will gather in Cranbrook to network, exchange ideas and technologies, discuss current mining climate and issues, and share knowledge at the 13th annual Minerals South Conference and Trade Show, taking place November 7 - 9 at the Heritage Inn Hotel and Convention Centre.

The conference is organized by East Kootenay Chamber of Mines (EKCM), a non-profit organization actively promoting sustainable exploration, mining and education to southeastern British Columbia.

EKCM President Jason Jacob says the conference is not only a chance to showcase industry innovation and cutting-edge technologies being developed and implemented in the region, but it is also offers professional development and business/employment opportunities for individuals and companies in the area.

“This conference offers suppliers, workers, post-secondary students and employers a chance to gain new knowledge and connections and keep up-to-date on the latest regulations,” says Jacob. “In addition to technical presentations on projects in the Kootenay area, Minerals South offers a common venue to discuss solutions to mining and exploration-related issues.”

As part of the conference, a free public presentation will take place at 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 7 at the Heritage Inn Ballroom.  The two presenters are Guy Santucci, with his talk Geology and Paleontology of the East Kootenay: A Brief Summary of Time and Paul Ransom, who will give a talk titled Geology of the Sullivan: A Monster in the Abyss (8:20 to 9:05 p.m.). Doors open at 6:45 p.m.

Other Minerals South highlights include a one-day short course on Tuesday, Nov. 7 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. presented by Fred Cook titled Salt Spring Geophysics: Putting the "geo" back into geophysics (one survey at a time).

November 8 and 9 will feature two full days of technical talks, a trade show, displays of paleontology fossils, and a showcase of drill core and field specimens of rocks and high-grade ore.

“And then we have the school program, which will run all three days this year,” says Jacob. “We will have five primary classes and two intermediate classes participate in our Minerals South Education Program. For the younger kids, teacher Ann Brace delivers an engaging, half-day workshop where each child is given a super collection of rocks as well as the tools required to test and make observations. They are guided to handle, sort, test and classify them by observable physical properties. This is an inquiry-based learning experience teaching the processes of science and math utilizing a subject children love: rocks!”

Intermediate classes will explore different stations set-up for hands-on learning around topics such as mineral identification, fossils and rocks, panning, a drill rig and more that will teach them aspects of mining and what mining brings to the region.

On Friday, November 10 there will be a field trip to Teck Coal’s Coal Mountain Operation mine.

The East Kootenay Chamber of Mines organizes and hosts the Minerals South Conference and Tradeshow every two years, alternating with the Chamber of Mines of Eastern BC. It is the EKCM’s primary fundraiser. To register, become a sponsor, or find out more visit www.ekcm.org.