The Vancouver Sun, a broadsheet daily paper first published in 1912, has the largest circulation in the province of British Columbia.
The Association for Mineral Exploration British Columbia Turns 100
One hundred years ago, Vancouver was a prosperous place. Industry was booming, the Vancouver Sun was born, and the first professional hockey game Vancouver Millionaires vs. the New Westminster Royals was played in Vancouver’s Denman Arena -the first Canadian artificial ice rink and reportedly the largest in the world. The Association for Mineral Exploration British Columbia (AME BC) also had its start in 1912 – as the Vancouver Chamber of Mines.
“The necessity of a reliable centre in Vancouver,” the Chamber noted at the time, “where mining men can meet, exchange views, and discuss matters relating to mining, was recognized long ago. A big city is the natural mecca of the miner and prospector, the logical place for him to gravitate to in the hope of attracting capital either to buy or develop his prospect.
“One hundred years later, the Association has more than fulfilled its mandate as a “reliable centre” – AME BC now represents thousands of members – hundreds of whom are now women – including geoscientists, prospectors, engineers, entrepreneurs, exploration companies, suppliers, mineral producers, and associations who are engaged in mineral exploration and development in BC and throughout the world.
Vancouver has also evolved to become a global centre of excellence for mineral exploration and mine development – housing over 800 companies active throughout the world. The industry is seen in boardrooms downtown, manufacturers in the Fraser Valley and highly regarded academic programs at the University of British Columbia, Simon Fraser University and BCIT.
To mark its 100th birthday, AME BC’s flagship event, Mineral Exploration Roundup, taking place January 23 to 26 at The Westin Bayshore in Vancouver, is embracing the theme “Celebrating Our First Century of Global Discovery”. Roundup 2012, the world’s premier technical mineral exploration conference, explores the history of B.C.’s mineral exploration and mine development sector over the past century and how it will evolve over the next century.
To celebrate the centennial, Roundup 2012 is featuring a special exhibit – the 100th Anniversary Pavilion – which showcases the evolution of the mineral exploration and mine development industry from early prospecting to an industry that uses the latest technology to explore for metals and other commodities throughout the world. The pavilion covers several themes key to mineral exploration, including exploration success stories, health and safety, financing, sustainability, and careers in mining. It is open to the public from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily free of charge.
For more information about AME BC, Roundup and its 100th anniversary, visit www.amebc.ca/roundup.
MINERAL EXPLORATION WEEK IN BRITSH COLUMBIA
British Columbia celebrates Mineral Exploration Week from Sunday, January 22 to Saturday, January 28. Going into 2012, the province continues to see mineral exploration expenditures that will lead to the next generation of mines in British Columbia.
For the rest of this article, please go to the Vancouver Sun website: http://www.vancouversun.com/Celebrating+First+Century+Global+Discovery/6031743/story.html