Now in its 82nd year, the Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada (PDAC) hosted its annual convention and surpassed 25,000 delegates for the fourth consecutive year.

It is the mineral industry's largest annual event which took place March 2 - 5, 2014, at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. Canadian Prime Minister, The Right Honourable Stephen Harper and 49 federal parliamentarians attended to lend their support for the mineral industry.

See photos in the right-hand column of home page.

Lewis Bonder with Greater Grand Sudbury's Mayor, Marianne Matichuk at the Wynn Hotel in Las Vegas.

An incredible soirée during the 2012 MinExpo show, put on by the Government of Ontario.

Seen here with Lewis, George A. Ross, Deputy Minister, Ministry of Northern Development and Mines. The event was held at the Mirage Hotel’s Rumbar Lounge.

MPI thanks Martin R. Gagné, Partner, Quebec City at Fasken Martineau for permission to print. We also thank the firm for the invitation to attend the Global Mining Group Seminar held on February 24, 2012, at its Montreal office. It was a fascinating meeting that touched on: Mining In Quebec; Anti-Corruption Legislation, Consultation With First Nations,Takeover Defences, & so much more.

I felt strongly that Minister Oda should be applauded for her leadership in international development. She spoke of a more vigorous and thoughtful means of proceeding in mining. It would include all stakeholders & serve to improve foreign aid both in terms of developing public policy and implementing policies -on the ground-. Her comments received much applause from all attendees at the Royal York Hotel that evening. Click here for her speech.

The several presentations of "Plan Nord" by Quebec officials were very informative. Unfortunately- the Minister of Natural Resources, Clément Gignac was unable to attend PDAC 2012 for a scheduled interview with Lewis.

MAESTRO COMMUNICATIONS WINS AT SUMMIT INTERNATIONAL AWARDS
Montreal firm gleans two awards for its creative campaigns.

Montreal, 2011 - Maestro Communications, a Montreal West Island-based agency, won two awards at the prestigious 2011 Summit Creative Awards for its GE ads. Maestro's work was chosen amongst thousands of submissions from 22 countries.

The Dedicated to the Core and DR2 Repeater ads produced for GE Mining Solutions and GE Lighting Solutions divisions respectively each received bronze level honours in the Trade Publication category. The creative team included Éric Léouzon, Creative Director and President, Luc Metivier - Art Director, and Gerry Wnek - copywriter.

Summit International Awards (SIA), headquartered in Portland, Oregon, is an organization dedicated to furthering excellence in the marketing communications industry for nearly 20 years. The "Summit Creative Award" competition has established itself as one of the premier arbiters of creative and communication excellence for small and medium size advertising agencies.

This honor is paticularly timely for Maestro Communications which celebrates its 10th anniversary this year. "We feel privileged to be recognized by the SIA, said Eric Léouzon. "These awards for excellence in a highly competitive market show that our efforts in recent years to think outside the box were not in vain" said Léouzon.

About Maestro Communications
Maestro Communications brings together a select multi-disciplinary group of talented communication professionals who together possess a considerable breadth of expertise in advertising, promotion, public relations and direct marketing. Their creativity, flexibility and capacity to balance proven experience with creative daring is what sets them apart from the competition.

Dear Lewis,
I've written this recommendation of your work to share with other LinkedIn users. Details of the Recommendation: "This recommendation is my Thanksgiving sir. You are someone beyond my words that are insufficient to describe your traits and this is what I've figured out in the short duration of our contact through this professional community. I learned a lot and am still learning from your important emails and your website miningpublications.com, I will always remain thankful for all your favours. I wish you best of luck in all the challenges of your life.
God Bless you.
REGARDS" Shahzad Manzoor

Many thanks to Norma Procyshyn & Professor Hani Mitri for inviting MPI to McGill's celebration of 140 years of mining engineering, on May 21, 2011. Over 250 guests were treated to cool jazz, sumptuous food & lots of unprecedented c-o-l-d Canadian brew.

Since he joined Mining Engineering in 1986, Dr. Mitri has established the Mine Design & Numerical Modeling Laboratory and more recently the Rock Bolting Laboratory. His research and consulting activities focus on rock mechanics, geotechnical engineering, mine design and materials handling.

Our invitation to "Mining Day On The Hill" hosted by The Economic Club Of Canada on Nov.24, 2009. Guests of the Mining Association Of Canada (MAC), the event held in Ottawa, began with opening remarks by the Honourable Lisa Raitt, Minister of Natural Resources. During our conversation, I found her to be well versed & an enjoyable speaker. Her Dad worked in our industry & I felt a certain "appreciation" she has perhaps garnered from him. Her remarks were very positive about our industry & focussed on the significance of a strong mining sector as we recover from the world-wide recession. I was impressed- this is a smart lady who truly knows her stuff !

I was especially looking forward to Don Lindsay's talk. He reflected on the opportunities & challenges facing Canadian mining companies like Teck Resources. I am always fascinated how very talented people shape their businesses not only with profit in mind. His review of Teck's charitable work in the field, in developing countries makes me very proud to be a Canadian & working in this industry. He delivered his views on the future of the exploration, mining & resource industries. Most important, I especially enjoyed how he expertly moulded their connection to Canada's long term economic success. Thank-you, Don, & I took notes in my Ontario Exploration Field Notes booklet ... Some other notable invitees were Paul Hebert, Executive Director of The Federated School of Mines plus Alana Kennedy, Manager, Marketing & Communications. She is with Mining Industry Human Resources Council.

Lewis addressed the following topics:
 1) A general review of the situation in our industry but also the Good News happening in our country. Comments from our client suppliers were addressed. Developments especially in Quebec & the opportunities welcoming our US visitors to look at both Ontario & Quebec.
 2) Results of a survey just completed & why it is vital for North American companies to understand the ramifications of: "short term pain for long term gain". He touched on why our West Virginian visitors must look beyond the downturn & make strategic acquisitions NOW.. He named names & touched on the other international players playing "Hard Ball" & for keeps in Canada.
 3) He touched on the contentious issue of President Obama's "Buy America" policy & how it is impacting our industry.
 4) Finally - he reviewed mining on the Moon & on Mars & his association with the Planetary & Terrestrial Sciences Symposium. He also showed a sample of a substance that will turn coal into diesel fuel that few are aware of. Please email Lewis for details of this discovery.

The promotional activities will again include advertising in the USA based " Mining Engineering" of the Society for Mining, Metallurgy & Exploration (SME).

On behalf of our clients & the entire Supply community of Ontario, we extend our genuine thanks to The Honourable Michael Gravelle, Minister, Ministry of Northern Development and Mines for his concerted interest expressed to us and his very positive hands on support of our efforts to promote the mining communities of Ontario. Recently at the 2009 MinExpo in Las Vegas - he met with MPI's - Lewis Bonder to express his continued support of our best efforts for Ontario. Furthur developments and updates will be announced shortly.