AHK Kanada

From 11th to 15th April 2016, the Competence Centre for Mining and Mineral Resources at the Canadian German Chamber of Industry and Commerce Inc., Toronto, hosted a German delegation during the annual Saskatchewan Mining Supply Chain Forum. A group of ten companies – among them Siemens, BASF, Bosch Rexroth and CFT Filter Technic – participated in a week-long program designed to provide direct and relevant industry contacts.

After an introductory session on the Saskatchewan mining industry the delegates were able to meet with local mining companies in an informal group setting. After introducing the technologies offered by the German companies the delegates were able to directly discuss procurement processes and needs with the Canadian companies. Meetings were hosted with operations and procurement staff who gave an insight into internal processes of evaluating new technology and their respective project stage. Delegates were able to establish a direct and personal contact with relevant staff. A Canadian-German reception provided additional networking opportunities.

During the one-day Saskatchewan Mining Supply Chain Forum held at Prairieland Park in Saskatoon delegates meet potential distributors among fellow exhibitors and listen to presentations from procurement and supply chain management of the biggest players in the Saskatchewan mining industry. Furthermore, six German companies exhibited in the trade show as part of a German country booth. The country booth was organized by the Competence Centre for Mining and Mineral Resources and allowed for a cost-effective presence in the trade show with minimum preparation and effort required.

A surface and underground mine tour at the Cory potash mine completed the program and allowed for a first-hand impression of the local mining industry (Figure 1). It also gave an impression of the conditions facing potential suppliers to the potash, uranium, coal, and gold mines operating in the province.

The Canadian province of Saskatchewan is not only the largest producer of potash worldwide but also holds the world’s largest potash resources. There are currently ten potash mines operating in Saskatchewan, the “Legacy Project”, a solution mine by the potash producer K+S AG, Kassel/Germany, is currently being commissioned. Moreover, Saskatchewan is the second largest producer of uranium worldwide (about 22 % market share) and also has two active gold mines as well as several coal mines.
If you wish to receive more information or would like to participate in the delegation in 2017, please contact Aarti Mona Soerensen: Aarti.Soerensen@germanchamber.ca. (Soerensen/Si.)

More than 22,000 attendees from over 100 countries gathered at the PDAC 2016 Convention of The Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada (PDAC) in Toronto where investors, analysts, mining executives, geologists, government officials and students gathered for the largest exploration and mining event in the world. In spite of recent industry challenges and the current downturn in the global resource markets, optimism and opportunity abounded, indicating a positive shift in sentiment amongst the industry’s key players.

The PDAC is the national voice of Canada’s mineral exploration and development industry. With a membership of over 8,000, the PDAC’s mission is to promote a responsible, vibrant and sustainable Cana-dian mineral exploration and development sector. The PDAC encourages leading practices in technical, environmental, safety and social performance in Canada and internationally and is known worldwide for its annual Convention in Toronto, Canada.

For Germany, the PDAC 2016, that took place from 6th to 9th March in the Toronto exhibition centre, marked an important milestone. For the first time in the Convention’s 84 year history, Germany had a country presence with 16 companies jointly exhibiting as part of a German pavilion. Sponsored by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy, the pavilion offered German companies a low-cost opportunity to present their products and services to the international mining community (Figure 1).

In addition to institutional exhibitors of service, consulting and supply companies the German Federation of International Mining and Mineral Resources (FAB) also had a booth on the PDAC. The FAB played a crucial role in paving the way for the German pavilion by submitting the proposal to AUMA in 2015. “The first joint German presence at PDAC was extremely successful”, FAB-Managing Director Martin Wedig said on the last day of the convention, “the feedback of FAB member companies that were part of the German pavilion was positive without exception”. This impression was confirmed by the exhibiting companies themselves.

The German Mineral Resources Agency (DERA), the Competence Centre for Mining and Mineral Resources at the Canadian German Chamber of Industry and Commerce Inc. (AHK Canada), were also among the exhibitors. Together with the Consulate General of the Federal Republic of Germany they hosted a reception at the pavilion to attract additional attention and enable opportunities for networking. Walter Stechel, Consul General to Toronto, welcomed the international guests along with Volker Steinbach from the Federal Institute for Geosciences and Natural Resources (BGR), the German Geological Survey.

German companies interested in participating at the PDAC 2017 Convention German Pavilion, March 5 to 8, 2017 in Toronto, can contact the FAB (martin.wedig@v-r-b.de) or the Competence Centre for Mining and Mineral Resources at the AHK Canada (aarti.soerensen@germanchamber.ca).

(AHK Canada/Si.)

More than 110 professionals from the renewables and mining sectors attended the full-day conference on “Integrating Mining & Renewable Energy for Canadian Mining Companies: Bridging the Gap to Realize the True Potential – What Renewables can offer the Mining Sector” on December 9, 2015, at the Westin Harbor Castle, in Toronto.

Hosted by the Competence Centres for Mining and Mineral Resources and for Energy & Cleantech within the Canadian German Chamber of Industry and Commerce Inc., Toronto/Canada, the conference was sponsored by the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany in Ottawa and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy. Walter Stechel, Consul General of Germany in Toronto, greeted the audience with welcoming remarks.

Being the third conference on integrating renewable energy and mining, the Canadian German Chamber of Industry and Commerce aims to enhance the dialogue between both industry sectors to foster better understanding and more joint projects in the future. This conference took an in-depth and honest look at the potential of renewable energy sources for mining projects, especially in Canada, and discussed existing gaps that need to be overcome in order to realize the true potential.

The renewable energies industry has grown mature and has developed capacities and business models which go beyond the simple delivery of technology. Energy management systems, logistics, hybrid solutions, energy storage technologies – only to name a few – are all becoming part of an integral approach to provide renewable energy to customers worldwide. At the same time, mining companies are under increasing pressure to reduce energy costs given lower grade ore deposits and rising fuel costs. Integrating renewable energies into mining operations can be one step forward in reducing fuel costs as well as in improving their carbon footprint. However, given the limited life span of mines and the high installation costs of renewable energy projects poses a challenge despite the potential and raises the question under which conditions renewables truly present an alternative solution that is cost-effective.

These questions were discussed in two keynote presentations by Dr. Thomas Hillig, Founder of THEnergy, and Michel Carreau, Director Energy at Hatch Ltd., and further debated in a panel discussion. In addition, four case-studies provided reports of first-hand experiences of integrating renewable energy sources into mining projects. (AHK Canada)