This article was provided by the Ontario Mining Association (OMA), an organization that was established in 1920 to represent the mining industry of the province.
The Ontario Mining Association supports the bid of Vancouver to host the prestigious International Geological Congress in 2020. This event is held in Olympian style once every four years. This group got off the ground in 1876 and held its first event dedicated to the advancement of global Earth science in 1878 in Paris, France.
In a letter to council members of the IGC and the International Union of Geological Sciences, OMA President Chris Hodgson said “Canada is a mining nation and the foundation of this industry and its future success is based on geoscience.”
“The OMA strongly supports the efforts of Vancouver, British Columbia, to host the 36th International Geological Congress in 2020. This major Canadian city is a major mining centre in a mining province, which would be an ideal location for your event,” he added. “The world will be welcome. All of Canada will be there.”
Bill Stiebel, with the engineering consulting firm Stantec, which is an OMA member, made a presentation on efforts for Canada to host the IGC 2020 at an OMA board of directors meeting approximately one year ago. The support for this event was unanimously approved at that time.
Since its inception, the IGC has held 33 events of this nature in 24 countries. Previously, Canada hosted the 12th IGC in Toronto in 1913 and the 24th IGC in Montreal in 1972. If not for dozens of good reasons, for symmetry alone, it would seem appropriate that the 36th IGC would be in Canada for the third time in Canada’s third largest city.
The International Union of Geological Sciences represents 121 member nations and one million Earth scientists. It is the largest and most active non-governmental scientific organization in the world. The IGC this year is being held in Brisbane, Australia in August 2012, where Vancouver’s bid to be the 2020 host will be tabled.
Among its goals, the IGC strives to standardize geological terminology, colour codes, symbols and classifications of rocks and minerals. It aims to put geological knowledge on a level that transcends oceans, languages and strife.
If the IGC comes to Vancouver in 2020, it will give the entire Canadian industry an opportunity to market the skills and diversity of its Earth science community ranging from geology, geophysics and physical geography to hydrogeology and geo-engineering. Canada’s mining industry could show the world its leading skills in applied resource exploration, environmental science and fundamental research.
“Mining has matured over the decades. Today, we see an industry dedicated to continuous improvement,” said Mr. Hodgson. “Advances have been made not only in geology and geoscience, but also in mine design and engineering, safety, environmental protection and corporate social responsibility. Innovation and research are keys to future progress.” Watch for more on the initiative to have Vancouver host the IGC in 2020.