Technical Program (January 26, 2004)

Following last year’s record-breaking attendance and positive indicators for exploration and mining finance in all of the mineral commodities today, the PDAC Convention in 2004 will present a technical program that is certain to draw interest from the largest, most globally-diverse assembly of delegates ever. The program will keep the attendees at the cusp of exploration and development activities around the world with a series of sessions that are of the highest technical quality and are topically comprehensive. The overview presented here provides a glimpse of the spectrum of topics, speakers and events that are planned for March 7-10, 2004.

COMMODITIES AND MARKET OUTLOOK SESSION

In this Sunday afternoon tradition, sponsored by Agnico-Eagle Mines Limited, David Mallalieu and Ted Yates have assembled a panel of experts to open the convention with their views on the current and future market status of key mineral commodities. A global commodity overview will be followed by presentations on gold, silver, copper, zinc and platinum group metals.

WORLD MINES MINISTRIES FORUM

Also on Sunday afternoon, high-profile speakers representing Mines Ministries from around the world will present outcomes from discussions on globally important issues, including: the role of geological surveys, mining’s legacy issues, security of tenure, mining education and indigenous peoples, and the beneficiaries of mining activities.

KEYNOTE SESSION: CHALLENGES TO INDUSTRY GROWTH

A technical program addressing several timely global themes has been assembled by David Davidson and Ted Reeve for Monday morning. Topics will range from how much exploration is necessary, to the effects of industry consolidation, to paths leading to value creation and growth. Other issues that will be covered are China’s role in global trade and global economic growth, and relationships between mining and aboriginal peoples.

GOLD

Only one word is needed to describe this session. Don MacLean has put together a Monday session that considers several wide-ranging aspects of the precious metal, including price, exploration technology, and the impact of financial institutions on profitability in the mining of gold. A case study that considers the next generation of exploration and discoveries in the Val d’Or mining camp is also slated.

DIAMONDS: ROOTING AROUND FOR CARATS

Pat Sheahan and Jonathan Fowler have put together this Monday program to look at key elements that lead to success in the diamond business. The session includes a discussion of the roles of indicator minerals, petrography and microdiamonds in the discovery process, a flowsheet from exploration and discovery to mine design, the importance of mineral characterization in metallurgy, and the management of a diamond resource once it is discovered. In addition, the discovery of the Knife Lake kimberlite in Nunavut will be reviewed.

CHINA: INSIDE THE DRAGON

The attraction of China as an industrial giant as well as an exploration and mining destination is addressed in this Tuesday session organized by Kerry Smith and Ken Gillis. Updates describing the business environment for mining in China are to be presented from differing perspectives, which include the Chinese Ministry of Land and Resources a western bank operating in China. In addition, papers on several styles of gold deposits and operations in southwest China are to be presented, as well as a look inside one of China’s major gold production companies.

GEOPHYSICS: RESPONDING TO NEW EXPLORATION CHALLENGES

A session looking at advances in geophysical methods, data handling and application has been assembled by Peter Walker and Adriana Carbone for Tuesday morning. Presentations that consider advantages, pitfalls and application aspects for several geophysical methods, including airborne magnetic surveys, airborne gravimetry, and 3D IP are planned. In addition, the use of time domain EM in the search for kimberlites and a discussion of down-hole geophysical characteristics of kimberlite are on tap. The importance of effectively merging geological information with geophysical data for application ties the program together.

CURRENT EXPLORATION AND DEVELOPMENT SOLUTIONS TO NEAR-TERM NICKEL SHORTAGES

A timely session has been put together by Guy LeBel and Terry Bottrill on Wednesday that looks at nickel markets and projects. The session kicks off with a perspective of the current nickel market. With the market setting established, presentations are planned that will provide a look at future sources of nickel production coming on stream, including projects within and outside Sudbury in Canada, several nickel laterite developments, and corporate growth stories in Spain and southern Africa.

NEW DISCOVERIES AND DEVELOPMENTS SESSION

A compelling Wednesday afternoon program has been assembled by Bill Mercer and Joe Hamilton to highlight some of the most promising advanced projects around the globe. The stories behind two promising gold projects in the developing world, new copper projects in Chile and Zambia, a Brazilian Ni-laterite project, and a high grade VMS project in the Canadian Arctic are among the group of potential next-generation mines that will be described.

Afternoon sessions are generously sponsored by Inco Ltd.

The complete schedule of technical sessions can be seen by visiting www.pdac.ca

BHP Billiton Diamonds is again partnering with the PDAC to present one lucky delegate with a spectacular one carat, round, brilliant cut diamond valued at approximately $15,000. All fully registered convention delegates are eligible to win. Look for details in your delegate kit.