The Conversation (0)
“Anyone who’s interested in the sector in any way — it really is a must attend,” says PDAC Executive Director Lisa McDonald.
The clock is ticking down to this year’s Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada (PDAC) convention, and Executive Director Lisa McDonald is certain it will be a success.
“Our sector has faced some significant challenges over the past five years or so, particularly for financings for juniors, and that certainly has been challenging times,” she said via phone.
“But that said, metal prices have been moving upwards since the beginning of 2019, for the last month or so, so that certainly bodes well moving into PDAC.”
Held annually in Toronto, PDAC runs this year from March 3 to 6. Over 1,000 exhibitors, 3,500 investors and 25,000 attendees from 135 countries are expected to descend on the Metro Toronto Convention Center during that time.
“All of our indicators moving into PDAC 2019 are that we’re going to see another very successful convention,” McDonald continued, adding that the event “acts as a bit of a bellwether for what will come forward for the rest of the year.”
Although 2019 has just begun, already several themes are already beginning to emerge in the resource space, including speculation about mergers and acquisitions and a continued focus on battery metals.
McDonald expects both to be in focus at PDAC, and said the convention’s technical and capital markets programs will include sessions covering the latter.
“I suspect that’s something that will be of a lot of interest to people, not just this year, but going forward into the future as we really start to connect the dots about what minerals and metals mean with respect to the low-carbon economy of the future,” she commented.
She also highlighted this year’s focus on young people in the mining industry. “That’s another theme that runs through a lot of the programming,” she said. “[Part of] the work that we’re doing here at PDAC is to ensure that the next generation … recognizes the opportunities that our sector provides.”
Among other things, PDAC has expanded its student program to include not only students, but also those who are just starting out in the mining industry.
“It’s a recognition that we have a role to play to help advance not just those who are currently studying … but those who have recently graduated and who are beginning their careers,” said McDonald.
When asked what elements of PDAC she would highlight as can’t-miss events, McDonald pointed first to the convention’s expanded trade show floor. “Our Trade Show North is actually expanding into another space because we’ve had waitlists for a numbers of years in that area,” she said.
“Taking advantage of that expanded trade show i think would be at the top of my list for recommendations,” McDonald continued. “I think it’s a great opportunity to have a look and get a deeper understanding of all the different factors and elements that go into a successful company.”
She also pointed to the wide variety of countries that will be exhibiting, as well as a keynote on the next generation of investors, and PDAC’s aboriginal program and mineral outlook luncheon. “Our sustainability program this year [has] a focus on the Tuesday afternoon on gender diversity,” she added.
And of course, PDAC is a key opportunity to make new connections and refresh old ones.
“From the investor perspective you can never stress enough what a great opportunity PDAC is to meet face to face with the individuals that are responsible for the projects and the companies that they’re either already invested in or are looking to invest in,” McDonald emphasized.
In closing, she encouraged attendees to make the most of their PDAC experience by doing research beforehand. “I cannot stress enough to plan ahead,” she said, noting that this year a new interactive exhibitor directory is available.
“The PDAC convention is an event and a place like none other within the minerals and metals sector, and it really does bring the whole spectrum of the sector together under one roof from around the world. There is no other opportunity like it out there. Anyone who’s interested in the sector in any way — it really is a must attend,” McDonald said.
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Images courtesy of www.pdac.ca.
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Securities Disclosure: I, Charlotte McLeod, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.
Editorial Disclosure: The Investing News Network does not guarantee the accuracy or thoroughness of the information reported in the interviews it conducts. The opinions expressed in these interviews do not reflect the opinions of the Investing News Network and do not constitute investment advice. All readers are encouraged to perform their own due diligence.