Mineral explorers are resilient and optimistic by nature, both coveted qualities that proved essential during a very turbulent 2020. Looking back to Roundup 2020, we could not have predicted how much the world would change in 12 short months. I am proud of our province, our industry and our members for how we dealt with the pandemic and the current reality of living with COVID-19. As an essential industry, we continued to work and we went on to have one of our most active years in recent history, raising more than $350 million for mineral exploration in B.C. and drilling more than 900 kilometres of core! At AME, we were busy right along with you. We hit the ground running when the pandemic struck, advocating to governments on your behalf. We made sure mineral exploration was on the list of essential businesses, we helped ensure B.C. was the first province to announce extensions to mineral claims and assessment work, and we were integral in composing the guidance documents for COVID-19 safety in industrial camps. We regularly communicated these developments through our website and member communications channels.
As explorers moved back into the field, AME continued to monitor the COVID-19 situation and advocated for the return of B.C. Mineral Exploration Tax Credit funds to our members and for an extension of the flow-through expenditure deadline. We then began planning for a new and different year – one where AME would need to do everything differently.
AME prides itself on supporting our corporate and individual members both through advocacy and by providing opportunities for members to connect and network with each other. The AME team has been working hard to expand and adapt interactive webinars, workshops and short courses into our annual programming, and we’re working hard on preparations for our first ever Remote Roundup – a must-attend event. We are excited to welcome over 5,000 geoscientists, technical experts, prospectors, suppliers, government officials and Indigenous partners from around the world as we virtually gather for AME’s Remote Roundup 2021. We will digitally connect, exchange ideas, be inspired by new exploration projects and stay on the forefront of innovative advancements in mineral exploration. Attendees will be able to access live and on-demand programming from anywhere in the world, whether at work, at home or even in camp if the internet connection is strong enough! This year’s Roundup theme is “Leading through Change” and will feature relevant conversations of the day across a variety of topics, including Responsible Resource Development; Open and Smart Exploration; Advocacy and Access; and the Transformation of Mineral Exploration. Safety is a core value for AME and its members. By hosting Roundup virtually, we will safely facilitate one of the largest gatherings of the global exploration industry, ensuring that you remain healthy while networking with our exceptional industry leaders. We lead by looking after our people, our communities and our companies, as all responsible explorers do. Today, as you read this magazine, you are also marking a point in history: our last print issue. The end of an era, but not the end of our communications or of the work we do on your behalf. AME is adapting to keep you better informed and engaged. Our magazine content will be available on our website and in our e-news found in your inbox every third Thursday of the month. We will continue to share mineral exploration stories, community highlights, profiles of exceptional members and regulatory updates that you need to know to be successful in our everchanging landscape.
We can’t be sure what the year ahead holds. But we are steadfast in our commitment to be your trusted partner and advocate, helping you make discoveries, ensuring projects prosper and making our industry better. Your passion, perseverance and creativity is our passion, perseverance and creativity.
For us to do this work effectively, we need to hear from you. You can reach any one of our team members by phone or e-mail and we will happily talk to you and assist in any way we can. Please reach out and share your stories with us – both accomplishments and challenges. All stories, shared experiences and knowledge transfer helps us shape our advocacy efforts, our member programming and the way we connect with you, our trusted partners.
Finally, a big thank you. To all of our volunteers, our board, our committee members and event volunteers, we couldn’t do what we do without your support, time and energy. Thank you for helping us serve our membership and our industry. A special thank you and our appreciation to our outgoing board chair, Rob McLeod, who has been a fabulous support throughout a difficult and challenging year. And to Dale Mah, our 2021 Roundup chair, who has been steadfast in his support and in maintaining the core content of Roundup as we have transformed the show around him, thank you.
From all of us at AME, we look forward to advancing our goals next year and we can’t wait to connect with you at Remote Roundup 2021.