22 August 2024

CIM staff with CIM President Ian Peatce at the CIM Conference of Metallurgists (COM) 2024

Every year, the CIM Conference of Metallurgists (COM) brings together a diverse group of professionals, academics, and industry leaders to share the latest innovations, challenges, and opportunities in metallurgy. This year is no exception. COM is more than just a conference—it's a crucial forum where ideas converge, collaborations are forged, and the future of our industry takes shape.

CIM President Ian Pearce welcomed attendees with the following address:

Good morning, distinguished guests, esteemed colleagues, and fellow industry professionals. My name is Ian Pearce, and here as the President of the Canadian Institute for Mining, Metallurgy & Petroleum. For those from afar, welcome to Canada!

It is with immense pleasure that I welcome you to this year’s Conference of Metallurgists, where we gather to explore the frontiers of metallurgy, recognising energy transition, and global urbanization. We stand at a pivotal moment in history, where our industries are not just facing challenges, but are presented with unprecedented opportunities to shape the future.

As we delve into the complexities of the energy transition, we are reminded of the critical role mining and metals plays in this journey. The shift towards cleaner energy sources depends heavily on the metals and minerals we extract. Our ability to meet the growing demands of a rapidly urbanizing world, while ensuring that our practices are sustainable, is crucial to maintaining the balance between progress and preservation.

Innovation will be at the heart of our future. The digital revolution offers us powerful tools to transform our operations, enhance efficiency, and create value not just for our businesses, but for society at large. By harnessing these technologies, we can optimize resource use, minimize environmental impact, and set new benchmarks for sustainability across our industries.

This conference is an opportunity to exchange ideas, challenge conventional thinking, and collaborate on solutions that will drive our industries forward. Let us leverage the insights shared today to build a future where mining and energy are not just engines of economic growth, but also pillars of a sustainable and equitable global society.

Thank you, and I look forward to the inspiring discussions that lie ahead.

COM runs August 19-22, 2024 in Halifax, Nova Scotia.