Vancouver, B.C., Canada – The Association for Mineral Exploration’s (AME) MinEx Talks event was held on Thursday 25 and Friday 26 April 2019. Over the two days, there were three Short Courses on day one followed by a full day of nine short, inspirational and captivating talks from a diverse range of speakers. Held at the Pinnacle Hotel Harbourfront, on the shared traditional territory of the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh, the event was centered on ways to approach the rapidly changing landscape of the mineral exploration sector.

The three Short Courses were:

  • Mineral Exploration and Mining Essentials: A comprehensive overview of the mineral exploration industry.
  • Environment Health & Safety: Risk and environmental management, reclamation and the B.C. regional bond calculator.
  • Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation: mining in Tahltan territory and cultural awareness training.

The second day saw each of the nine 15-minute talks feature a new narrative with inspirational takeaways for the audience, including linear thinking, pattern-spotting and utilizing new technologies in the workplace. A common theme emerged among all of the talks: the critical need to build strong, lasting and mutually beneficial relationships.

During the talks, the audience had the opportunity to rate each speaker and topic, and the winning speaker with the most votes was Josh Serfass, Integra Resources for his talk “Millennials get a bad rap…and so does mining” who sat down for an engaging interview and Q&A from the audience after lunch.

In order of timing, the AME MinEx Talks were;

  1. Kim Hudson, Kim Hudson Consulting: “Two ways of knowing.”
  2. Kimberly Burns, Dentons Canada LLP: “Face it, We’re in a Mining Hub. How do we stay strong in a changing environment?”
  3. Samuel Cantor, Minerva Intelligence: “Perception vs. Cognition – Why the increased use of AI in mining needs both.”
  4. Alan Hutchinson and Patrick Sullivan, Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP: “Strategic Investments create benefits for major and junior mining companies.”
  5. Janice Fingler, Janice Fingler & Associates: “We see the world of Mineral Exploration as we are – not as it is. It’s time to see with both eyes open.”
  6. Stephen de Jong, Integra Resources and VRIFY Technology: “Modern finance and the implications (opportunities) of new technologies.”
  7. Neil Rayner, Teck Resources: “Considerations of Indigenous Consent in Mining”
  8. Connor Malek and Krisztina Pandur, First Geolas Consulting: “The Thrill of the Hunt”
  9. Josh Serfass, Integra Resources: “Millennials get a bad rap…and so does mining.”

Edie Thome, President and CEO, AME comments:

“I am pleased that we had such a great turnout of speakers and attendees alike to our brand-new event. When we first conceptualized AME MinEx Talks, it was to capture the new generation of expertise in our industry and bring them together to share stories, best practices and insights. The audience was diverse with a variety of industry professionals, technicians, students and retirees from many fields that collectively contribute to and influence the mineral exploration and mining industry.”

As a millennial in this industry, Shantel Turna, Geologist, Minerva Intelligence, comments:

“Navigating the mineral exploration industry as a millennial can be rigorous, especially when most of the landscape has been carved out by many experts before us, both figuratively and literally. To succeed after graduating requires endlessly updating your skill set, making new connections, and being part of a dynamic conversation. Seeing this opportunity, AME is stepping in to help ease this gap with events like the AME MinEx Talks. By providing a platform for ideas to be shared, courses for continual learning, and environments for networking, it offers both myself and others alike the chance to adapt to what it means to be a mining professional in the 21st century.”

Echoing his winning talk, Josh Serfass, Integra Resources, comments:

 “Let’s start talking about what millennials care about.  Because, in fact, it’s what mining cares about. The two are not mutually exclusive. Economic development, social equality, environmental action. Let’s talk about the good and be transparent about the challenges.  It’s all about delivering a meaningful message.”

For a full list of events, see the AME Events Calendar.