Federal government
releases CSR policy on extractive companies working abroad
The Government of Canada has published its strategy on corporate social
responsibility for mining and petroleum companies operating abroad. The
development of Building the Canadian Advantage: A CSR Strategy for the
International Extractive Sector was largely informed by the government’s
consultations with industry, civil society and others (the National
Roundtables) held in 2006. The four pillars of the strategy include:
supporting initiatives to improve host countries’ capacity to manage the
development of minerals and oil and gas and to benefit from these
resources; promoting international CSR performance guidelines; setting
up an office of an extractive sector CSR counsellor to assist
stakeholders in the resolution of CSR issues; and supporting the
development of a CSR Centre of Excellence. The full text of the policy
is
here.
Quebec government aims to
improve access to northern Quebec
The Quebec government’s 2009-2010 budget, released on March 19, contains
plans for significant transportation infrastructure developments in
northern Quebec. Initiatives include the construction of a road to the
Otish Mountains, repairs to Highway 389 between Baie-Comeau and Fermont,
and improvements to northern airports. A summary, prepared by
l’Association de l’exploration minière du Québec and available
here,
provides further details.
Thank you for your comments on National
Instrument 43-101
Thanks to all of our members who sent in comments on National Instrument
43-101. These have been forwarded to the PDAC’s Securities Committee and
will be used in the development of the association’s response to the
Canadian Securities Administrators. This will be made available to
members once it has been formulated. Thank you again.
Canada Mining Innovation Council
seeks executive director
The Canada Mining Innovation Council (CMIC) is looking to appoint an
executive director. The appointment is for an initial one-year contract
for a newly incorporated, non-profit organization in the field of
Canadian mining research. CIMC is a network of industry, academic and
government leaders that has been created to improve the competitiveness
of the Canadian mining industry through excellence in research,
innovation, education and commercialization. The deadline for
applications is April 15. Further details about the position and how to
apply are
here.
NRCan invites your views on its mining
publications
The Minerals and Metals Sector of Natural Resources Canada, which
produces publications covering a wide spectrum of information relating
to the Canadian mining industry, minerals, metals and materials
technology and explosives evaluation and regulation, is conducting a
survey to determine how well its publications are meeting the needs of
its stakeholders and what, if any, improvements can be made. The survey
should take about 15 minutes to complete and can be forwarded to
colleagues for additional responses. Please respond before Friday, April
17. The English version of the survey is
here and the French version is
here.
New scholarship award for
Aboriginal young people wishing to pursue a mining career
The Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum has
introduced an annual scholarship award for Aboriginal high school and
post-secondary students who are interested in a mining career. The
Taking Flight Award will give four exceptional students from across
Canada $1,000 each. This year’s winners will be announced at the
upcoming CIM Conference and Exhibition, May 10-13, in Toronto. Click
here for full details. The deadline for applications is April 17.
PDAC director Don Bubar featured in
Toronto Star
We thought members might be interested in this
story
about Don Bubar and his company’s search for rare earth metals. Don is a
PDAC director and co-chair of the association’s aboriginal affairs
committee. The article was published recently in the Toronto Star.
Exploration and Mining
Geology, volume 17, numbers 3-4, published in March
The publications chair of the Geological Society of CIM has asked us to
let members know that the table of contents of the latest issue of
Exploration and Mining Geology, volume 17, numbers 3-4, July-October
2008 (published in March 2009) is available
here. Further information about the journal, including tables of
contents of back issues and subscription rates, is
here.
The 2009 subscription price for PDAC members is $45.00 + 5% GST, a
$95.00 discount off the regular, non-member rate. The journal covers the
fields of mineral deposits geology, exploration geology, mine geology,
geochemistry, exploration geophysics, geomathematics, ore reserves, and
related fields such as sustainable mineral resources development. Click
here for instructions on submitting a manuscript.
Reporting for Natural Resources ●
Toronto ● May 28 & 29
A conference entitled Reporting for natural resources – Risk management
and practical tips for disclosure obligations during an economic
downturn is being organized by the Canadian Institute on May 28 and 29
in Toronto. Click
here for the program and registration information.
Canadian Mining Law & Finance:
Negotiating complex markets ● Toronto & Vancouver
Two conferences on mining law and financing are being organized by
Canadian Executive Forums. The first will be held in Toronto June 10-11
at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre; the second will take place in
Vancouver June 15-16 at the Metropolitan Hotel. Session topics cover
recent developments in mining M&A deals; alternative financing methods;
international accounting standards; political risk in South America; and
mining and Aboriginal peoples. The fee is $1,445 + GST for registrations
before May 1 and $1,595 + GST after that date. Click
here for program brochure.
