22 January 2018

Group of members and others at the Victoria, B.C., semi-annual meeting, September 1912

On June 18, 1898, miners from Nova Scotia, Quebec, Ontario, and British Columbia were granted an Act of Parliament to establish the Canadian Mining Institute. The goal of this national organization was to foster the exchange of ideas, the development of relationships with other professional mining associations and to create a unified voice for the industry in political forums. 120 years later, the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum has continued to bring people together and support the mining and minerals industry at home and internationally.

“I believe that CIM is at a pivotal time in its history,” said CIM Executive Director Angela Hamlyn. “Finding new relevance for an organization that’s been around for 120 years is challenging, but it’s a good challenge to have,” said Hamlyn. “CIM has been recently re-organized to reflect the changes in the industry over the last decade. The challenge now is to build on the reorganization to serve the industry better,” added Kenneth Thomas, CIM President.

CIM has undergone several changes over its 120-year history, including establishing many diverse branches, societies and committees (some of which are commemorating their own anniversaries this year, including the Canadian Mineral Processors Society celebrating its 50th annual conference); developing annual general meetings into large-scale conventions attended by thousands of people from dozens of countries and industries; and producing informative and technical publications as well as housing print and online libraries. CIM has spent over a century building a community that helps students and professionals thrive, and it will continue to embrace innovations and tackle challenges in order to strengthen the mining and minerals industry.

Throughout 2018, CIM will be posting photos, videos, stories and fun facts about the history of the industry, the Institute and its members over the past 120 years. We welcome you to join in by telling us about your favourite historical mining highlights and CIM moments and by celebrating with us at the CIM Convention in B.C. from May 6 to 9. 

“Anniversaries make you stop and think about who you are and why you exist, so CIM’s 120th gives us a good opportunity to reflect,” said Hamlyn. For CIM President-Elect Janice Zinck, CIM means community: “When I became a CIM member over 25 years ago I immediately felt that I was part of a dynamic, dedicated and supportive community. My goal, as a CIM President, is that every CIM member feels that same sense of belonging, that they can contribute and that the organization is benefiting them both personally and professionally.”

Thank you to all of the members, sponsors and staff who have shaped CIM into the organization that it is today, we look forward to another 120 years of building relationships and communities in the mining, minerals and metals industry!