The CIM Mining 4 Society (M4S) educational show brings the world of mining to downtown Toronto

MONTREAL, April 25, 2013 /CNW Telbec/ - On Thursday, May 2, the Queen Elizabeth Exhibit Hall in downtown Toronto opens its doors to M4S - the free educational public show highlighting the positive impact of mining, minerals, metals and materials on our daily lives. Now in its eighth year, M4S is expected to welcome 3,500 students, teachers and members of the general public over the course of the three-day event.

"Many people do not realize the positive contribution that mining makes to our daily lives," said Jean Vavrek, executive director of the Canadian Institute of Mining Metallurgy and Petroleum (CIM), which organizes the M4S show. "From the copper, gold and platinum used in our cell phones to the steel and aluminum necessary to build wind turbines, mining impacts almost every aspect of our lives."

M4S features seven interactive pavilions at which participants will have an opportunity to take part in a variety of hands-on activities that explore a wide range of activities representing the full mining cycle, from exploration, mining and processing to product fabrication, safety and sustainability. Visitors to the general public access day (Saturday, May 4) will also have an opportunity to win a spectacular diamond valued at over $3,700, compliments of De Beers Canada.

M4S will also showcase the abundance of rewarding career opportunities the industry has to offer. With an estimated 145,000 jobs to fill in the mining and minerals sector by the year 2023, educating and training the future workforce about the wide variety of professions related to the sector has become more important than ever.

"Mining and processing industries directly employ approximately 320,000 Canadians, and more skilled workers are needed," said CIM president Terence F. Bowles, who is also president and CEO of the St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation. "There are excellent job opportunities within the Canadian mining industry in all aspects of exploration, development, operations, processing and site reclamation, as well as in related areas such as finance, administration and support services. By highlighting these opportunities and dispelling some of the myths, we are helping secure a robust future for the industry."

M4S is made possible through the collaboration, participation and generous support of numerous industry, academic and government exhibitors and sponsors. In particular, Mining Matters - a charitable organization dedicated to bringing knowledge and awareness about Canada's geology and mineral resources to students, educators and the general public, and supported by the Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada - has been a long term contributor and activities partner.

M4S will be held in advance of the CIM 2013 Convention to be held at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre from May 5 to May 8, an event that brings together influential speakers and industry executives from across the world.

Press are invited to tour the M4S Show and to the opening ceremonies, which will take place on Thursday, May 2 at 9:30 a.m.

The event will take place at:
Queen Elizabeth Exhibit Hall - Exhibition Place
180 Princes' Blvd., Toronto, ON

Thursday, May 2, 2013 - 9:00 to 14:00
Friday, May 3, 2013 - 9:00 to 14:00
Saturday, May 4, 2013 - 10:00 to 16:00 (Open to the general public free of charge)

About CIM
The Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum (CIM) is the leading Canadian technical society for the minerals industry with over 14,000 members across Canada and globally. CIM is dedicated to the advancement of knowledge and technology as well as the facilitation of networking, fraternity and professional development for the mining industry.

SOURCE: CANADIAN INSTITUTE OF MINING, METALLURGY AND PETROLEUM (CIM)

Media Contact:
Zoë Koulouris
Communications Coordinator
Canadian Institute of Mining Metallurgy and Petroleum (CIM)
[email protected]
514-939-2710 (x 1339)