Welcome
On behalf of the conference management committee, I would like to invite members of the mining industry to participate in a two day conference on May 14 - 15, 2008 in Panama City , Panama . This conference called “Mining for Success – Social Risks and Responsible Mining Practices” will focus on the social aspects of mining and will provide new insights, industry testimonies, and innovations with respect to social issues affecting the industry.
As we are all aware, the high price of metals and the growing world demand had pushed the mining industry to explore and develop mining in regions that are often remote and have higher social, political and economic risks. These social risks have only accelerated the need for companies in these regions to build their knowledge, experience and to form positive relations with indigenous people,
métis, local communities, governments, small scale miners and non-government organizations (NGOs).
Companies that have failed to understand the growing importance of the social side of mining may increase their risks of having their mining initiatives harassed, stalled or even cancelled due to lack of community or political support. These continuing and growing social challenges in mining have resulted in billions of dollars in lost investment and market capitalization and have impacted the ability for companies to raise capital and debt financing of projects.
At this time, it is extremely critical for junior, intermediate and large mining companies to understand and effectively address the complexities, issues and expectations of stakeholders with respect to the social side of mining. The failure to do so however puts projects at serious risk of being halted or postponed and the grave economic consequences that result.
In closing, I would like to invite all mining professionals from Presidents and CEOs to Field Managers and Geologists to attend this important event. Your time and attention is appreciated and we look forward to seeing you in Panama .
Respectfully,
Don Clarke
President of Organizing Committee |
News
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Mehrdad Nazari
Director Prism, (previously Principal Environmental Specialist European Bank) |
 09/05/08
SPEAKER PROFILE: MEHRDAD NAZARI
TOPIC: "Using IFC Performance Standards and Equator Principles to Benchmark Environmental and Social Risks of Mining Projects"
The IFC Performance Standards and Equator Principles are the dominant social and environmental benchmarks for extractive operations seeking project finance, export credit agency (ECA) support and political risk insurance. This presentation will highlight the key changes, challenges and emerging trends. This includes the due diligence process and how project developers can demonstrate "bankability" of their projects associated with significant risks ranging from biodiversity to resettlement impacts.
About the speaker
Mehrdad Nazari, Senior ESIA & CSR Advisor, Prizma LLC He is previously Principal Environmental Specialist at the European Bank, focused on extractive investments, Director of CSR Research at CoreRatings (now Innovest, DNV), advising asset managers and pension funds, and Project Manager with Dames & Moore (now URS). Mehrdad studied geosciences (MSc) and business administration (MBA) in Germany, US and the UK. He was a Fulbright grantee, is a Fellow of Rockefeller Foundation's Leadership for Environment and Development (LEAD) program, and Vice President of LEAD Canada Inc.
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Veronika Kohler
Communities and Small Scale Mining
Secretariat |
07/04/08
PEAKER PROFILE: VERONIKA KOHLER (CASM)
TOPIC: Addressing Artisanal and Small Scale Miners on Concessions
Communities and Small-Scale Mining (CASM) is chaired by the UK government’s Department for International Development and is housed at the World Bank in Washington D.C. It was launched in March 2001 in response to international recognition of the need for an integrated approach to address the challenges facing ASM communities and for improved coordination between institutions funding and executing assistance.
CASM began as a multi-donor networking and coordination facility that would engage with practicing miners, their associations and communities, governments and non-governmental organizations, and development assistance agencies.
A major aim of CASM is to collect and share the lessons learned from the past decade of development efforts – what has and has not worked in different contexts.
Now coordinating the CASM initiative Ms Kohler is focusing on making CASM the global resource for all people impacted by ASM and would like your involvement.
At Mining for Success, CASM will directly address best practice for companies dealing with artisanal and small scale miner issues in the vicinity of their concessions.
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Christine Copley Director of Environmental Stewardship ICMM |
04/02/08
We are pleased to announce the participation of 3 very important new institutional sponsors and participants in the conference.
International Council on Mining and Minerals’ has confirmed the participation of Christine Copley, Director of Environmental Stewardship Christine Copley on:
ICMM’s Best practice guidelines for mining in areas of high biodiversity.
Interamerican Development Bank representative Luz Sarmiengo will speak about its new mandate to work with the mining sector and the bank’s social standards.
International Finance Corporation enhancing local benefits program directors Javier Aguilar, and Fernando Ruiz-Meir, will speak about Mining Companies as Partners of Local Governments, and Social Accountability in the use of mining royalties. The experience of IFC’s successful program with municipalities benefiting from mining royalties in Peru (set to expand to other countries in the region) will be shared. |
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03/01/08
The *Mining for Success* Regional Mining Conference has been re-scheduled...... Due to the numerous requests of our sponsors and industry participants, the Organizing Committee has re-scheduled the date of our this International Mining Conference, which was planned for on the 20 th and 21 st of February, 2008.
The Conference will continue to be held in the original venue, Hotel Radisson Decapolis, on the 14 th and 15 th of May in Panama City *. As a result of this change we are extending the early registration period, which will close on March 14, 2008. |
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Jerry Asp |
29/11/07
Mr. Jerry Asp CONFIRM
Former Chief Tahltan First Nation
Vice-President
The Canadian Aboriginal Mining Association, CAMA
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