PDAC 2024 memorable moments

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PDAC 2024 welcomed close to 27,000 delegates from 138 countries, including investors, miners, geoscientists, community leaders and students. The convention, which showcased more than 1,100 exhibitors, was spread across both the North and South Buildings of the MTCC, with special events held in the Fairmont Royal York Hotel in Toronto.

“It’s undeniable – this is the largest convention and gathering of mining and exploration companies in the world,” said Valerie Pascale, founder of Modern Core, a consultancy.

According to stats from PDAC, around a third of conference attendees came from outside Canada, notably from the US, Australia, the United Kingdom, Brazil, Peru, Chile, Argentina, Mexico, Mongolia, Germany, Turkey and Kazakhstan.

The PDAC 2024 programme featured 693 presenters with topics focusing on capital markets, Indigenous relations, sustainability, industry trends and technical research, plus student and early career development.

An Investment Hub was also created to host the popular Corporate Presentation Forum for Investors and Investment Leaders Forum programmes, giving attendees enhanced investment opportunities.

Keynote presenters included: Jakob Stausholm, CEO of Rio Tinto; Michael Stanley, lead mining sector specialist at the World Bank; Caterpillar’s Denise Johnson; and Wojtek Wodzicki from the Lundin Group Vicuña Exploration Team.

The Convention provided a venue for dialogue between industry and government. PDAC’s leadership seized the opportunity to underscore the important role public policy has in supporting the competitiveness of Canada’s mineral sector.

Five students received all-expense paid trips to Toronto to attend PDAC 2024, thanks to the Leishman family and PDAC. All coming from geology, environmental geoscience and earth sciences programmes, the selected students had their flights, meals and accommodations covered at a nearby downtown hotel. They also received complimentary all-access passes to PDAC 2024, as well as exclusive access to programmes and invitation-only events during the four-day convention.

“The convention was so much larger than I could have imagined, but this community is so incredible and I’m so glad to be a part of it. The experience and connections I made at my first PDAC Convention are invaluable, and would not have been possible without the Leishman family,” said Hayley Newell (Acadia University) about her experience.

“The most beneficial part of this experience for me was attending the Awards Gala, where I met top company executives and learned about industry achievements and innovations. I will encourage other students to apply for next year’s Leishman’s Experience to expand their network and benefit from the Student and Early Career Programme,” explained Christina Matchett (University of Victoria).

The three other students selected were Tatiana Pillajo (Laurentian University), Kaylee Tymo (University of Regina) and Sepideh Vafaei (Institut national de la recherche scientifique).

Five of the industry’s top performers were honoured at the prestigious PDAC 2024 Awards Gala & Nite Cap, held at Toronto’s Fairmont Royal York Hotel on 5 March 2024.

The PDAC 2024 award winners for were:

John Burzynski and the Osisko Mining Inc. Exploration Team - Bill Dennis Award
For the discovery and ongoing expansion of the Windfall deposit’s Lynx gold zone located in the Abitibi greenstone belt, Eeyou Istchee James Bay, Québec.

Wabun Tribal Council - Skookum Jim Award
For developing a consistent process of engagement (The Wabun Model) that reasonably matches the lifespan of projects from mineral exploration to development.

O3 Mining - Sustainability Award
For exceptional environmental, social and governance (ESG) performance including the achievement of ECOLOGO Certification.

The Lundin Group Vicuña Exploration Team - Thayer Lindsley Award
For the discovery of the Vicuña district in the Central Andean copper province in Argentina and Chile.

John McConnell and the Victoria Gold Team - Viola R. MacMillan Award
For innovative financing of the Eagle Gold Mine development and production in Yukon.