NEWS RELEASE: MassMin 2012 – Advancing the State-of-the-Art in Mass Mining

The 6th International Conference & Exhibition on Mass Mining
Held for the first time in [Sudbury] Canada June 11 to 14, 2012

MONTREAL, Oct. 26, 2011 /CNW Telbec/ – The 6th International Conference & Exhibition on Mass Mining, Advancing the State-of-the-Art in Mass Mining: MassMin 2012, will be held for the first time in Canada, from June 11 to 14, 2012. This premier technical mining conference will take place in Sudbury, Ontario.

After the US, South Africa, Australia, Chile and Sweden; it’s time for Canada to host this important conference for the first time. “Sudbury is one of the three key mining supply areas in the world and we are very proud to host this conference,” says Dr. Greg Baiden, International Committee Conference Chair, CEO – Penguin Automated Systems and Professor – School of Engineering Laurentian University.

MassMin 2012 local and international committees are composed of highly influential individuals directly involved in the transition from open-pit to underground mining. Sessions will be presented by companies such as Vale, Codelco, Rio Tinto, Subsea Massive Sulphides, Lunar Mining and Robotic Mine of the future. Over 700 participants from over 30 different countries are expected to attend and discuss the issues of mass mining on a global perspective and will share best practices on technical and business issues associated with this change.

Mass mining

Today the world’s largest open pit mining operations are becoming depleted, forcing a transition to mining large low-grade underground mining deposits. Mass mining can be defined as underground mining with production exceeding 10,000 tons per day or 3 million tons per year where mining methods such as block caving, panel caving, sublevel caving and open stoping are used.  Mines using mass mining methods are often highly mechanized striving for the best and latest technologies in automation.  The use of mass mining methods continues to increase globally.

The Sudbury Basin still dominates

Since those first nickel and copper discoveries, Sudbury has evolved from a simple mining community into an internationally renowned Canadian mining showcase and one of the most productive, technologically advanced and environmentally aware mining centers on the planet. Local mining operations, together with a wonderfully robust supply and services sector are a powerful engine for economic growth in Greater Sudbury. With Sudbury holding the title as Ontario’s mining powerhouse, the province produced approximately $7,7 billion worth of minerals in 2010 and employed more than 25,000 people in production and exploration combined. Ontario also leads Canada in nickel and copper production (34% and 30% respectively).

About the CIM

The Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum (CIM) is the leading technical community for professionals connected with the global mining, minerals, metals and materials industry. For over a century, CIM has driven the development and exchange of ideas and technological advancements. Today, CIM has more than 13,000 members, 10 societies and over 30 branches and student chapters comprising a vast network of professionals hailing from industry, academia and government.

Info and registration: cim.org/massmin2012

Members of the media are invited to attend MassMin 2012 and to release the news to the proper audience. Trade magazines are welcome to post this event in their calendars.

For further information:
and to schedule an interview

Magali Gloutnay
Conference Coordinator
mgloutnay@cim.org
(514) 939-2710