THE Mining Investment Event Grows 300% as Industry Regains Global Appeal

Key Concepts

International Mining Week in Canada: A new, expanded mining investment conference in Quebec City, Canada, aiming to be a global platform for the mining industry.
Mining Investment Event of the North: The precursor to International Mining Week, which has seen significant growth over four years.
ITFA (International Traders and Forfaiters Association): A partner representing the mining industry's supply chain, including bullion traders, shippers, freight forwarders, logistics, insurance brokers, and bankers.
AMQ (Association Minérale du Québec): A partner representing global mining producers in Quebec, such as Hecla, Rio Tinto, Champion Iron, and Vale.
Indigenous Partnership: A crucial element for mining operations in Canada, with a dedicated symposium planned.
Retail Investors: A key focus for the conference, with free entry and opportunities for networking and one-on-one meetings.
Student Program: A fully funded program for 50 students across various disciplines interested in mining, aiming to attract younger talent to the industry.
"Mining is Sexy Again": A sentiment reflecting the renewed interest and excitement in the mining sector, driven by commodity prices.
Inclusive yet Exclusive: The conference aims to welcome a broad range of participants (inclusive) while maintaining a curated environment for serious investors and issuers (exclusive).

International Mining Week in Canada: A Global Hub for Mining Investment

This summary details the upcoming International Mining Week in Canada, an event spearheaded by Joanne Jobin, building upon the success of the Mining Investment Event of the North. The new, expanded conference is scheduled for June of the following year in Quebec City and aims to establish Canada as a central global platform for mining investment.

Evolution and Growth of the Event

Joanne Jobin initiated the Mining Investment Event of the North four years ago, post-COVID, to address a perceived gap in the Canadian market for an independent investment conference. This event has experienced a remarkable 300% growth over four years and is entering its fifth year. Recognizing the need for further expansion, Jobin conceived of and launched the International Mining Week in Canada via a global press release in early October. The event has already garnered significant traction.

Key Partnerships and Collaborations

The International Mining Week is being celebrated with three primary partners:

ITFA (International Traders and Forfaiters Association): This association represents the entire supply chain of the mining industry. This includes entities such as bullion traders, copper concentrate suppliers, shippers, freight forwarders, logistics providers, insurance brokers, and bankers. These diverse groups will converge in Quebec City for the event.
AMQ (Association Minérale du Québec): This organization represents major global mining producers operating in Quebec, including prominent companies like Hecla, Rio Tinto, Champion Iron, and Vale. These producers will also be present, with the hope of engaging with attendees of the International Mining Week.

A significant aspect of this collaboration is the simultaneous scheduling of plenary sessions and other activities. This co-location is expected to foster substantial cross-pollination of ideas and attendees, leading to a larger and more dynamic event.

Additional sponsors and partners are joining, including Marsh, The Mercury Group, and the Government of Newfoundland.

Addressing the "Quebec-Centric" Misconception

Initially, there was a perception that the conference was solely for Quebec-based companies and investors. Jobin clarifies that her vision has always been to create a global conference hosted in Quebec. Canada's current prominence in the global mining landscape, particularly concerning the securing of critical metals, makes this an opportune moment for such an event.

The conference will feature significant provincial participation, with government officials, including ministers or deputy ministers, from various provinces verbally confirming their attendance. A provincial panel is planned, and strong federal engagement is also anticipated, underscoring the pan-Canadian scope of the event.

Global Reach and Investor Outreach

Canadian mining has a truly global footprint, with Canadian companies operating worldwide. The International Mining Week aims to provide a global platform for Canadian mining to "shine" in Quebec City.

Investor outreach is well underway, with over 7,000 marketing names in the database. The event is attracting significant interest from Europe and the United States, with extensive marketing efforts in the US and planned outreach to Saudi Arabia in the new year. The goal is to draw as many funds and investors from around the world to Quebec City as possible.

Event Structure and Duration

The International Mining Week is a multifaceted event, running over five days, an extension from the previous four-day format. The schedule includes:

Day 1: A golf tournament in the morning, followed by ITFA presentations on the main stage in the afternoon.
Days 2-4: The core Mining Investment Event runs from the 2nd to the 4th.
Days 2-3: Plenary sessions will be held.
Days 3-4: The AMQ will host its sessions.

The Inaugural National Indigenous Symposium

A significant new addition is the first-ever National Indigenous Symposium, headlined by Ivonne Rumble Jones, a former MP for Labrador and an Indigenous individual herself. This initiative highlights the critical importance of indigenous partnership in Canadian mining, which is described as the "lifeblood" of the industry. Proceeding without engaging indigenous nations is not feasible. The symposium also acknowledges the growing trend of indigenous groups investing in mining projects, recognizing the potential for economic growth and community prosperity.

Value Proposition for Investors

The conference offers substantial benefits for various investor types:

Institutional and Sovereign Investors: Will have access to key players and decision-makers.
Provincial and Federal Government Representatives: Will be present, offering insights into policy and support.
Retail Investors: Entry to the conference is free for investors. They can attend plenary sessions, network extensively, and participate in all evening events. The conference features approximately 16-17 panels and numerous speakers. Qualified retail investors can also participate in a one-on-one meeting program, a highly valued opportunity for direct engagement with company representatives, which cannot be replicated on a Zoom call. The emphasis is on building relationships and gaining a direct understanding of companies and investment opportunities.

The Mining Investment Event and Student Engagement

The Mining Investment Event itself spans three days. A notable program is the fully funded student program, which will host 50 students from across Canada. Sponsors for this program include Glencore, Osisko Royalties, and IAMGOLD. This initiative aims to attract younger talent to the mining industry by covering all expenses for students from diverse academic backgrounds such as metallurgy, engineering, business, finance, communications, and earth sciences. This program is considered the largest fully funded conference student program in the country, offering unprecedented access to industry professionals.

Topics and Discussions on Stage

Conversations on stage will cover a range of critical areas:

Finance Panel: Discussing investment strategies and market trends.
Dragon's Den Style Panel: A new, engaging format featuring Mike Wackerley of Altitude Capital, a former Canadian Dragon.
Provincial Panel: Featuring representatives from various Canadian provinces.
Commodity Panels: Including dedicated sessions on copper and potentially gold, reflecting current market interest.

The sentiment that "mining is sexy again" is prevalent, driven by the renewed interest in the sector, particularly gold and silver, which are receiving increased attention in mainstream media.

Strategic Rationale for "International Mining Week"

The decision to consolidate various events under the banner of "International Mining Week" was driven by a perceived need for a unified, impactful gathering. When the participation of ITFA and AMQ was confirmed, Jobin recognized the opportunity to create a distinct week-long event. The name "International Mining Week" was chosen as it was not already claimed in North America, allowing the organizers to "plant a flag" and establish a significant presence.

The event aims to provide strength and power in numbers for the sector, bringing together diverse stakeholders in one location. It avoids the dilution of focus seen in some other conferences, offering a clear identity and purpose.

Inclusivity and Exclusivity

The conference is defined by its commitment to being inclusive yet exclusive. It welcomes a broad spectrum of participants, including junior companies with micro-cap valuations under $10 million, who are invited to participate. However, it is also exclusive in the sense that it is a curated event for serious investors and issuers. With over 30 years of experience in the industry, Jobin emphasizes the importance of treating all participants respectfully and providing them with a valuable experience.

Companies participating gain not only access to investors but also a unique opportunity to articulate their story and vision in a way that might not be possible in other settings.

Call to Action and Registration

With the event scheduled for June, companies that have not yet signed up are encouraged to do so, as approximately 20 spots remain before the event is sold out. For institutional investors, the event offers direct access to key individuals in a concentrated setting. Registration is available on the website, and inquiries can be made via phone.