International mine safety conference comes to Sudbury

From Oct. 25 to 28, 2015, Mirarco and the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum (CIM) will host the 36th International Conference of Safety in Mines Research Institutes (ICSMRI) in Sudbury.

This is the first time one of oldest and most prestigious global conferences focused on enhancing the safety and health of mine workers comes to Canada. A networking reception on Sunday, October 25 at 6:00 pm at the Vale Cavern at Science North launches the event.

Invited speakers include Sudbury Mayor Brian Bigger, Sudbury MPP Glenn Thibeault, the Honourable Kevin Flynn, Ontario Minister of Labour, David de Launay, Deputy Minister, Northern Development and Mines, Ontario, and ICSMRI Honorary Chair, Mark Cutifani.

The conference includes plenaries, panel discussions, three workshops, a trade show, and diverse technical sessions. With the recent release of the Ontario Government’s Mining Health, Safety and Prevention Advisory Group's final report, the topic of safety is more relevant than ever. The full conference program is available on the website at: http://icsmri.cim.org/.

The event promises to be a home coming for two shining lights of the mining community. Anglo-American chief executive Mark Cutifani, who served in Sudbury as chief operating officer for CVRD Inco from 2003 to 2007 is honorary chair of the conference and will represent industry on a panel discussion.

Also speaking is Leo Gerard, international president of the United Steelworkers. Born and raised in Sudbury, Mr. Gerard joined Inco after graduating from high school and worked his way up through the ranks of the United Steel Workers. They will be joined by Joe Main, US Assistant Secretary of Labor for Mine Safety and Health (MSHA), and Mining Technology Hall of Fame inductee, Jim Joy for the opening plenary on Monday, October 26, 2015 at the Holiday Inn.

The conference’s first day will end in style with a scotch-tasting dinner. Also held at the Holiday Inn, the event will feature entertainment by Café Piaf with Pandora Topp. A portion of the evening’s profits will go to support the CIM Foundation, which helps finance education outreach activities and scholarships, and the Northern Ontario School of Medicine

The 36th International Conference of Safety in Mines Research Institutes is organized by MIRARCO Mining Innovation and the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum (CIM). Established in 1988, MIRARCO develops innovative solutions for the mining industry and its challenges.

It is a not-for-profit corporation that operates with support from the private and public sectors. Founded in 1898, the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum (CIM) is the leading not for profit technical society of professionals in the Canadian minerals, metals, materials and energy industries.