March 8, 2000
(Mines and Energy)

Newfoundland and Labrador ADM of Mines is president-elect of national mining institute

Paul Dean, assistant deputy minister of mines with the Newfoundland and Labrador Department of Mines and Energy, is president-elect of the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum (CIM).

Mr. Dean�s election to this position was announced at CIM�s annual general meeting in Toronto. He will assume the position of president at the 2001 annual general meeting to be held in Quebec City.

Mr. Dean is the first native born Newfoundlander to be elected to the top executive position of CIM. This national organization, in its 102nd year, has 12,000 individual members and 200 corporate members in its 60 branches across the country.

Mines and Energy Minister, Paul Dicks said he was extremely pleased with the election of Mr. Dean to this prestigious position.

"It�s an excellent choice when you consider Mr. Dean�s background and knowledge of the Canadian mining industry. Mr. Dean has made an excellent contribution to the mining industry of Newfoundland and Labrador and I have every confidence that he will make an equally great contribution to CIM during his tenure of office," the minister said.

Mr. Dean is a native of North Harbour, Placentia Bay. He is a graduate of Memorial University and holds a bachelor of science degree and a master of science degree in geology.

Prior to joining the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, Mr. Dean worked in the exploration industry. He has also taught and worked as a research geologist at Memorial. He joined the Department of Mines and Energy in 1980 and in September of 1988 was appointed to his current position.

Mr. Dean is a member of the Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada (PDAC), a national organization representing the interests of the exploration and development sector of the Canadian mineral industry with 7,000 individual and 130 corporate members. He is currently a fellow of the CIM and a member of the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Newfoundland. He also co-authored many papers and articles on the geology and mineral resources of Newfoundland and, in recent years, his main efforts have been in the development of mineral policy for the province.

Mr. Dean said he was both honoured and pleased to become president-elect of CIM and said he looks forward to the challenge.

"CIM represents Canadian professionals who earn their living from the mineral and petroleum industries and the challenge facing us today is to anticipate and fulfil the expectations of all our members," Mr. Dean said. "This is important when you consider the vital role mining plays in the economic well being and prosperity of our country."

Media contact: Gary Callahan, Communications, (709) 729-4890.

2000 03 08                                              10:40 a.m.