Mineral Exploration is the official publication of the Association of Mineral Exploration British Columbia.
Issue link: http://digital.canadawide.com/i/428696
52 W I N T E R 2 0 1 4 2015 ROUNDUP PREVIEW Corporate Social Responsibility Creating Value Through Environmental Planning from Early Exploration to Project Development Tuesday, January 27 | Afternoon Like saving for the future, small steps in environmental studies during early exploration can build tremendous project value compared with deferring studies to subsequent mine development stages. For example, implementing short- and long-term environmental programs can help to build awareness around sensi- tive habitats and species, and define the relevance of environmental values to exploration infrastructure and construc- tion. Other tangible benefits of early environmental studies include a more robust understanding of critical ecologi- cal components to inform the baseline scope for future assessments; building traditional knowledge as a resource tool to assess effects; training for community members; and building partnerships with local communities for continued engagement and monitoring. Incorporation of environmental val- ues into early exploration is especially important given increasing regulatory and social expectations to protect the environment and minimize impacts at all stages of mineral exploration and devel- opment. Proactive studies, as explored in this session, are everyday small steps that ultimately lead to better incorporation of environmental and social values into resource projects. They also lead to more tangible and meaningful relationships with communities of interest – provid- ing a big step forward for all. Environment, Health & Safety Raising the Barr: Field Safety Reflections and Experiences from David Barr Award Recipients Wednesday, January 28 | Morning AME BC presents the David Barr Award annually to honour achievements in leadership and innovation excellence in exploration safety; improvement in safety records from year to year; and/or demonstrated efficient and compassion- ate behaviour in dealing with an unfor- tunate accident. In the Health and Safety Show Case Session, four past David Barr Award recipients will share how health-and- safety-related experiences have shaped or influenced either their career or their company's operations. Reflections on past experiences and the subsequent implementations of additional safety standards and protocols will be discussed. Collectively, the presenters represent a diverse group within the mineral explo- ration and mining community, includ- ing managers of grassroots through advanced-stage exploration projects, min- ing operations and drilling companies. The target audience includes students, geoscientists, project and mine site man- agers, and safety advisors and managers. Land Access and Use Understanding the Lay of the Land: Land Access and Use for Mineral Exploration in B.C. Wednesday, January 28 | Afternoon With a land base rich in minerals and coal, the largest concentration of geo- scientists in the world and a long history of exploration, British Columbia is well positioned to capitalize on its natural resource and cultural assets. However, a number of challenges are impact- ing access to land for mineral and coal exploration in large areas of the prov- ince. This session will explore the issue of land access and land-use constraints on mineral and coal exploration activity, and the complexity of trying to integrate exploration activities into land designa- tions that are primarily intended to man- age surface values. Competing demands on the land base will also be discussed, as well as the need for an innovative solu- tion for flexible and responsive land-use management in the province. The session will present and discuss findings from the A ME BC Land Use Mapping Project and is designed for mineral explorers, land and resource planners, government regulators, con- sultants and members of industry. Human Resources Attracting, Recruiting and Retaining the Right People with the Right Skills at the Right Time Thursday, January 29 | Morning The fourt h an nual B.C. M ineral Exploration and Development Human Resources Forum will, for the first time, be offered as part of the Show Case Sessions. The session, through its engaging speakers, will highlight con- temporary best practices and collab- orative human resources initiatives that support a successful mineral exploration and development and mining industry in B.C. Discussion will be focused on current industry priorities. The session will be inclusive of participants' perspec- tives and open to individuals currently employed as well as those looking to enter the workforce (students and tran- sitional workers), educators and training professionals, HR professionals, senior leaders in the industry and First Nation and community representatives. B.C. Government & Industry Session Thursday, January 29 | Afternoon The sixth annual B.C. Government/ Mineral Exploration and Development Forum will be featured as the closing Show Case Session for Roundup 2015. This session will bring together leaders from the mineral exploration and devel- opment sector with key government