Team Sudbury goes to PDAC

March 7, 2023

Sunday was the first day of the Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada’s annual convention and trade show – the largest and most significant international mineral exploration and mining gathering in the world.

While the name may conjure images of pickaxes and survey stakes (and, well, the Association was founded over 90 years ago), make no mistake: this conference is all about next-generation technological innovation and modern leadership across the mining industry. In addition to an extensive trade show, the programme is a combination of technical courses and keynotes, capital markets and investor sessions, pitches, announcements, presentations… and a whole lot of networking opportunities. 

PDAC, as it is informally called, essentially takes over downtown Toronto for four days every year – the Metro Toronto Convention Centre and most of the surrounding hotels are fully booked and bustling with PDAC delegates.

It is a major event in the calendar for countless Greater Sudbury area professionals, companies, consultants, and contractors in the mine service and supply industry. The event typically attracts between 20,000 and 30,000 attendees from more than 120 countries… and Tuesday evening’s Sudbury Reception is sold out with 500 confirmed RSVPs.

Suffice it to say: with attendance numbers like this, Greater Sudbury is poised to be in front of a lot of eyes on the international stage.

One of my roles as Mayor is to be Greater Sudbury’s Brand Ambassador. This is why it is so important for me to actively participate in PDAC and support the work of the Greater Sudbury Development Corporation. I want to speak with local companies who are attending, and I also want to share with potential investors and companies why they should take a closer look at setting up shop in our City.

After all, Greater Sudbury is home to the world’s largest integrated mining industrial complex. We currently have nine operating mines, two mills, two smelters, a nickel refinery and over 300 mining supply and service companies – all within our municipal boundaries.

The City’s forthcoming Employment Lands Strategy will advance the development of desirable industrial lands for existing corporate expansion and attraction of new businesses. Our postsecondary institutions (Cambrian College, Collège Boréal and Laurentian University) provide training and talent for the next generation of mining-related professions. We are leading the way in battery electric vehicle technology adoption underground. And we have a world-renowned reputation for regreening and remediation, with more exciting developments regarding mine waste biotechnology and local biodiversity improvements in the pipeline.

In short, we have the land, the talent and the resources to be a leader in the global critical minerals supply chain.

This week is one enormous opportunity for us to broadcast Greater Sudbury’s status as a hub for a growing global demand for critical minerals – but it is not our only chance to demonstrate our successes. From exploration and extraction, to processing and value-added production, to recycling and remediation, our City is increasingly acknowledged as a leader among mining centres. It is also an excellent place to live, work and play – and that is thanks to the impressive work of our area’s firms and talented individuals. 

Together, we will continue doing great things in Greater Sudbury for a greener, cleaner mining industry. See you on the trade show floor.