Professional Development Workshop
Mineral Exploration, Mining & Economic Development for Aboriginal Communities
Monday September 22, 2014
8:30am - 5:00pm
Nanaimo River Room A, Vancouver Island Conference Centre
Facilitator: Dr. Jim Morin, British Columbia Institute of Technology
Organizers: Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada & Natural Resources Canada, MMS
The mineral exploration and mining sector is fundamental to Canada’s economy and can offer many excellent economic opportunities for Aboriginal communities. It offers the potential for business development, partnerships, employment, training and economic and community development. Fundamental to seizing the opportunities, however, is an understanding of the industry as a starting point to build capacity. Enhancing the understanding by Aboriginal communities of mineral exploration and mining activities will improve their capacity to participate in, and benefit from, economic development activities throughout the mineral development sequence, from exploration to mine closure and reclamation.
This goal of this workshop was to increase participants’ understanding of mineral exploration and mining, and how Aboriginal communities can benefit from opportunities presented by mineral development.
The workshop provided participants with:
- An understanding of the mineral development cycle in four stages – mineral exploration, development, mine operations and closure / remediation
- Information about the mineral industry in Canada
- Awareness of the economic development opportunities for Aboriginal communities
The workshop was free of charge and was attended by over 20 delegates.
