NLIS 4
November 2, 2005
(Natural Resources)
Minister announces annual review
of mineral activities
Ed Byrne, Minister of Natural Resources, today
announced that the 29th Annual Review of Activities for the Mines Branch of the
Department of Natural Resources will take place Thursday, November 3, at the
Delta St. John�s Hotel and Conference Centre. This year�s event is being held in
conjunction with the 52nd Annual General Meeting of the Newfoundland Branch of
the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum (CIM) � Mineral
Resources Review 2005.
Minister Byrne said the 2005 Annual Review provides an overview of the current
field, research and related activities of the department�s mines branch. The
review of activities will include a number of presentations, as well as a poster
display session.
�Our mineral resource-based industries are a significant economic driver for our
province,� said Minister Byrne. �Government is forecasting the value of mineral
shipments will reach $1.4 billion this year, while the exploration sector will
contribute an additional $350 million to the economy. Collectively, the mineral
sector generates approximately 3,100 annual person-years of direct employment in
many rural communities across our province.�
Minister Byrne encourages the general public to attend the review of activities
to learn first-hand what is happening in this very important sector in
Newfoundland and Labrador.
�This event provides the public with an excellent opportunity to review the
current state of our industry and to hear from key industry personnel who are
growing this sector,� said Minister Byrne.
2005 Annual Review of Activities Schedule of Events
Presentations - Thursday, November 3, 2005 (Salon B):
- 9:05 a.m. - Geological Survey Review
- 9:50 a.m. - Mineral Exploration Update
- 10:55 a.m. - Mineral Development Update
- 11:30 a.m. - Review � Centre for Earth
Resources Research, MUN
The poster session will take place from 2:00-4:30
p.m. on Thursday. This year, the posters will address current projects, the
geological survey, geochemistry/geophysics and terrain sciences, mineral
deposits, regional mapping, geoscience publications and information, and mineral
development and mineral lands. The posters will remain on display until 3 p.m.
Friday in Salon A of the Delta St. John�s Hotel.
A highlight of this year�s review is the public lecture at 7:30 p.m. Thursday,
in Salon B, by Dr. Harold Williams of the Department of Earth Sciences, Memorial
University of Newfoundland, entitled Newfoundland: Where Continents Collided.
�We have witnessed significant growth in the minerals sector through investments
in existing mines, the development of new operations, as well as the increase in
exploration activity,� said Minister Byrne. �We anticipate this trend will
continue into the future.�
Media contact: Carmel Turpin, Communications (709) 729-5282, 685-4624
2005 11 02
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