November 2009
2009 Abitibi Convention Earns High Marks
Sylvain Lacroix and Patrice Roy
Géologie Québec
The 2009 Abitibi Convention, which took place September 28 to October 2, 2009, in the Rouyn-Noranda area, was a resounding success! More than 210 participants took part in various geoscientific activities spread over five days. The event was made possible through the collaboration of Ministère des Ressources naturelles et de la Faune du Québec (MRNF-Géologie Québec), the Geological Survey of Canada (GSC), the Ontario Geological Survey (OGS), Ordre des géologues du Québec (OGQ), and Association de l’exploration minière du Québec (AEMQ).
On September 28, Ordre des géologues du Québec (OGQ) held its annual general meeting for members. Six presenters discussed "Geological expertise at the heart of the development of Abitibi-Témiscamingue." Daniel Lamothe, geologist with Ministère des Ressources naturelles et de la Faune, received the 2009 OGQ Prix du Mérite for his extensive research to evaluate Québec’s mineral potential.
In addition to the full day of conferences, the 2009 Abitibi Convention offered three days of geological outings that heralded the upcoming conclusion of the Copper Plan and TGI-3 (Targeted Geoscience Initiative), two extensive geoscientific activity programs conducted jointly by MRNF, OGS, and GSC from 2005 to 2010 involving base metals in the Abitibi region of Québec and Ontario.
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Two high-level geoscientific conference sessions were presented to a packed house. They addressed the main geological units conducive to the discovery of volcanogenic massive sulfides, glacial deposits in Abitibi, and the ways in which technological developments can aid mining exploration. During the three days in the field, over 120 participants and guides went on geological outings in both Québec and Ontario to many of the Abitibi region’s most productive units for copper-zinc-gold-silver and nickel-copper deposits. |
Two original publications have been produced to provide a lasting reference for the conference, a complete abstract of its sessions and a guidebook describing the outings, now available in EXAMINE. This historic event was also captured on film, documenting how three geoscientific organizations came together and worked closely for five years on initiatives that are critical to the Abitibi region.
On September 29, exhibit booths at the AEMQ’s 2009 Explo–Abitibi enjoyed steady traffic and over 100 participants attended two conference meals. At the luncheon conference, Pierre Grenier, Assistant Deputy Minister of Regional Operations, and Robert Marquis, Executive Director of Géologie Québec, discussed how MRNF serves the mining community.
The memorable day concluded with an AEMQ dinner conference featuring Serge Simard, Minister for Natural Resources and Wildlife, who spoke about the Québec Mineral Strategy announced in June 2009.
References :
GM 64195 - Programme de conférences, Congrès Abitibi cuivre 2009, 2009, Par MRNF. 86 pages. (Conferences abstract)
GM 64196 - Excursions géologiques, Congrès Abitibi cuivre 2009, 2009, Par MRNF. 107 pages. (Geological outings)
