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AusGeo News June 2007 Issue No. 86
Team Australia at record-breaking PDAC
The 75th Anniversary Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada’s (PDAC) International Convention, Trade Show and Investors Exchange broke all previous records with 17 600 attendees from over 100 countries. The event was held in Toronto, Canada, between 4 and 7 March this year. The Trade Show featured more than 300 exhibitors, including government agencies from 27 countries, promoting technology, products, services and mining jurisdictions.
The mood of the Convention reflected the current vibrant state of the industry as explorers continue to enjoy commodity prices at or near 25 year highs. Australia’s profile was boosted by the attendance of the South Australian Minister for Mineral Resources Development, The Hon Paul Holloway MP, who led a delegation from his state. Australia’s High Commissioner to Canada, Mr Bill Fisher, again added his support to the Australian promotion. The Australian exhibitors received valuable support from the Austrade office in Toronto.
Australia presented a high-profile promotion by combined industry and government exhibitors at the Trade Show. Geoscience Australia coordinated the government promotion which involved all states and the Northern Territory under the ‘Team Australia’ banner. The exhibition, in the Australian Pavilion, attracted over 250 significant visitors from 22 countries representing mining and exploration companies and financial and academic institutions. There was strong interest in all commodities especially iron ore, copper, zinc and uranium resources. In addition to the government exhibitors, the Australian Pavilion included five (mainly industry) exhibitors, including Encom Technology Pty Ltd, Intrepid Geophysics, Predictive Mineral Discovery Cooperative Research Centre (pmd*CRC), Gekko Systems Pty Ltd and AME Mineral Economics. Their participation was coordinated by GeoJAG Australia.
Geoscience Australia also organised a special half-day exploration seminar on behalf of Team Australia to show- case mining and exploration opportunities in Australia. The seminar, ‘Exploration Down Under’, featured presentations by representatives of three mining companies (Oxiana Ltd, Ivanhoe Mines and Teck Cominco Ltd), the pmd*CRC, Geoscience Australia and all states and the Northern Territory. It was opened by The Hon Paul Holloway MP and closed by the Australian High Commissioner, HE Mr Bill Fisher. The seminar was attended by up to 140 participants at various times and the feedback received from delegates was very positive.
During the Convention’s technical program Dr Richard Blewett of Geoscience Australia delivered a jointly authored presentation on the Yilgarn Craton at a special symposium which highlighted new developments in understanding the geology and metallogenesis of Archaean terranes around the world. Geoscience Australia scientists also co-authored a presentation on the Pilbara Craton which was delivered by the Geological Survey of Western Australia.
For more information phone Mike Huleatt on +61 2 6249 9087 (email mike.huleatt@ga.gov.au)
The pulse of earth science
Earth Science Week is an international event which promotes awareness of and provides an opportunity to celebrate the world of earth science. Earth Science Week 2007 runs from 14 to 20 October and is celebrating its tenth year with the theme ‘The Pulse of Earth Science.’
This year’s theme provides an opportunity for everyone involved in the earth sciences to share the significance of their work with the broader community. It encourages us to identify future challenges and develop national and international programs and activities that will increase the profile of earth science in society.
Once again Geoscience Australia will coordinate Earth Science Week in Australia and is calling for innovative ideas and activities to contribute to the new Earth Science Noticeboard. The noticeboard will assist and promote the sharing of earth science knowledge between individuals, teachers, schools and organisations across the country.
As part of the celebration Geoscience Australia and the National Geographic Channel have collaborated to invite secondary students to participate in the Geologi Short Film Festival. The competition will accept short documentary-style films exploring earth science themes which engage and challenge viewers. Entrants may also wish to incorporate themes from other international earth science celebrations such as the International Year of Planet Earth and the International Polar Year. The presentation of awards to the winners at Geoscience Australia’s headquarters will be a highlight of the Earth Science Week celebrations. The winning entries will also be screened on the National Geographic Channel website.
For more information phone Fiona Wright on +61 2 6249 9859 (email earthscienceweek@ga.gov.au)
Related websites
International Year of Planet Earth