Aboriginal communities and industry to gather at PDAC 2018 Convention in Toronto

TORONTO, Feb. 21, 2018 -- The Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada (PDAC) Convention—taking place in Toronto from March 4 to 7—will again feature the popular Aboriginal Program. This unique program at the world’s largest industry event provides a platform to foster cooperative, respectful and mutually-beneficial relationships between Aboriginal communities and the minerals community.

Since 2014, more than 2,000 self-identified Aboriginal people have attended the program at the annual convention.

“A successful minerals industry in Canada includes the development of partnerships and generating meaningful opportunities for Aboriginal people and communities,” says PDAC President Glenn Mullan.

“Canada’s mineral exploration and mining industry is already the largest private-sector employer of Aboriginal peoples, and PDAC’s Aboriginal Program brings all partners and interested parties together to have the important conversations needed to continue learning from one another.”

The PDAC 2018 Aboriginal Program consists of four sessions:

1. The mineral industry and Indigenous communities – Canadian and international experiences
   Identifying key issues and partnerships between exploration and mining companies and Indigenous communities.

2. The Aboriginal Forum
   Bringing together industry practitioners, Aboriginal communities and companies, as well as governments to share experiences and highlight the outcomes when working constructively together.

3. Indigenous law and regulatory frameworks: the evolving landscape
   Examining aspects of recent legal decisions, frameworks and regulatory initiatives, as well as key challenges and opportunities that arise for mineral companies and Aboriginal communities in relation to the mineral exploration and mining landscape.

4. Building partnerships: Indigenous communities and the mineral industry
   Featuring presentations on community engagement, reconciliation and company-community agreements.

See the full PDAC 2018 Convention Aboriginal Program lineup for speakers and further details.

Media Contact:
Kristy Kenny
Manager, Communications
416-362-1969 x 233
[email protected]

About the Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada
PDAC is the leading voice of the mineral exploration and development community. With over 7,500 members around the world in all sectors of the mining industry, the PDAC’s mission is to promote a globally-responsible, vibrant and sustainable minerals industry. As the trusted representative of the sector, PDAC encourages best practices in technical, operational, environmental, safety and social performance. PDAC is known worldwide for its annual PDAC Convention, regarded as the premier international event for the mineral industry. The PDAC Convention has attracted over 25,000 people from 130 countries in recent years and will next be held March 4-7, 2018 in Toronto. Please visit www.pdac.ca.