Creating Value with Values - A stepping stone to sustainable practice

Creating Value with Values will be an important step in the direction of a truly sustainable minerals industry

The highlight of the CIM Conference and Exhibition 2006 in Vancouver will be the plenary session held on Monday May 15, under the conference theme, Creating Value with Values. A smorgasbord of expertise is lined up for the panel of this interactive session. Keynote speakers will share their experience and knowledge in areas related to the sustainability challenge, followed by a quick-paced question and answer session, open to audience participation. This will be a forum to build on as the minerals industry forges ahead in creating a new way of operating, including transparency, neutrality, environmental and social responsibility, and wealth creation.

The plenary will be moderated by local CBC anchor Gloria Macarenko, and master of ceremonies David Parker, Teck Cominco. Two keynote speakers will offer in-depth vision into sustainability issues, from very diverse standpoints.

Stephen Lewis, United Nations Secretary-General's Special Envoy for HIV/AIDS in Africa, and Commissioner, World Health Organization's Commission on the Social Determinants of Health, will kick off the morning with an inspirational address. One of Canada's most respected commentators on social affairs, international development, and human rights, he was chosen by Maclean's as their inaugural Canadian of the Year in 2003, and in 2005, TIME named him one of the 100 Most Influential People in the World.

Don Lindsay, president and CEO, Teck Cominco, will give the second keynote speech, sharing insights on sustainability from the vantage point as the head of a leading company with extensive history of working with communities in which it operates. Lindsay, previously president of CIBC World Markets Inc., took over the leadership of Teck Cominco in January 2005.

Once the pace has been set, the panellists will join in for a lively question and answer period, delving into the issues of sustainability, sharing their experiences, their knowledge, and their hopes. The audience will be included in this animated debate with panellists that will include a representative of the First Nations, as well as:

Jim Carter, president and COO, Syncrude Canada Ltd.

Ted Pollet, principal social development specialist, environmental and social development department, International Finance Corporation (IFC)-the private sector arm of the World Bank

Yasap Popoitai, director, Department of National Planning and Rural Development, Papua New Guinea