International Affairs
PDAC undertakes a variety of advocacy and member service work
Canadian companies now explore and mine around the world, with Canadian Mining Assets Abroad (CMAA) totaling over $170 billion in 2015, in 102 countries. This accounts for two-thirds of all mining assets owned by Canadian companies. Canadian-headquartered companies regularly account for the largest portion of global nonferrous mineral exploration budgets (approximately 30% in 2016).
IMMS
On March 6, 2023, PDAC, the World Economic Forum and The Intergovernmental Forum on Mining, Minerals, Metals and Sustainable Development co-hosted the eighth annual International Mines Ministers Summit (IMMS). The Summit brought together 20 ministers responsible for mining from around the world.
Support for International Goals
Supporting Responsible Exploration
PDAC has long been an advocate for the industry to improve its social, environmental and health & safety performance - at home and abroad. PDAC was the first industry association in the world to develop detailed guidance for companies on how to explore responsibly. This includes a suite of free, online resources for organizations to achieve real-word best practices and performance in mineral exploration activity. See our Driving Responsible Exploration (DRE) Toolkits & Guidance page for more information.
Responsible exploration is about behavioural change. PDAC’s efforts to improve industry performance are aimed at catalyzing change by supporting industry leadership, improving governance and activating markets (i.e. investors). While this work takes place all year-round, the annual PDAC Convention provides a platform for all of this work to come together, in the form of Short Courses, CSR Event Series, the Aboriginal Program, and related side events such as the annual Resource Governance Symposium co-organized by PDAC, the Intergovernmental Forum on Mining, Minerals and Sustainable Development, and the World Economic Forum.
For more information on PDAC's efforts to support responsible exploration and development abroad, please visit our Driving Responsible Exploration (DRE) page.
Supporting Canadian Explorers
PDAC receives many requests to support members with challenges they are facing in different jurisdictions. Given limited resources, PDAC has focused its energies to date on systemic protections for all companies operating abroad, by advocating for the Government of Canada to sign Foreign Investment Protection and Promotion Agreements with mineral-rich countries, and for the inclusion of investor-state dispute settlement provisions and mechanisms in free trade agreements. PDAC also advocates for the Government of Canada to identify exploration and mining as a priority sector for government trade and development strategies.
In addition to this systemic advocacy, PDAC is also approached by governments that want to improve their investment climate for exploration (e.g. Chile, South Africa, Mexico), support responsible exploration in their jurisdiction (e.g. Peru, Colombia, Mexico) or improve the sustainability performance of their companies (e.g. China).
In response to these requests, PDAC reaches out to members operating in these jurisdictions (e.g. China, USA, Mexico, South Africa) in order to provide meaningful intelligence to Canadian government officials as well as host government officials. These conversations also shape the types of technical assistance provided to host countries, both in terms of helping them attract investment (the focus of the International Affairs program) and align that investment with sustainable development (the focus of the CSR program).
Canada’s network of trade commissioners is a key resource for Canadian companies abroad. Since 2013, PDAC has actively engaged with the TCS in an effort to strengthen their knowledge of mineral exploration (as opposed to mining) and the economic benefits generated by mineral exploration for Canada. PDAC presents annually to mining-focused Trade Commissioners during their annual training session held on the margins of the PDAC Convention.
Promoting Canada and PDAC Abroad
PDAC participates in a number of international mining conferences in support of this goal, including Indaba, China Mining, CESCO World Copper Conference, Precious Metals Summit and European Gold Forum. At these events, PDAC is often asked to be a keynote speaker addressing the state of the global mineral exploration industry. In addition, PDAC engages with member companies, government officials and stakeholders to better understand their perceptions of Canada and of Canadian companies.
Contact
International Affairs
Director, Policy & Programs