What’s the big story at this year’s Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada (PDAC) conference?
Ontario Premier Doug Ford’s blasting of the media over the new Ontario license plates? Sort of.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau calling on industry, citizens, and Indigenous groups to help shape the future of Canada’s climate policy? Not really.
It is the very real fear of contracting the coronavirus from strangers, as those attending the popular mining conference are bathing in hand sanitizer and scooping up face masks – with some events being scrapped as delegates avoid, well, almost everything.
According to geologist Richard Risto, he told Reuters that the popular show “doesn’t seem quite as busy.”
On Monday, the CRU-Cesco World Copper Conference in Chile was canceled due to concerns over travel risks associated with the outbreak.
On Sunday, IHS Markit scrapped one of the world’s most prestigious gatherings of oil ministers and top executives in Houston later this month.
Coronavirus has infected some 85,000 and killed around 3,000 people globally. As of Sunday, Canada had confirmed 24 cases of the illness caused by the new coronavirus, but health officials said the risk to the public remained low.
Mongolian officials on Sunday canceled a planned PDAC investor forum and reception, citing increasing global concern about the virus’ spread.
Foot Tap Hello
However, health officials do point out that simple handwashing precautions, avoiding those who are exhibiting symptoms, and coughing into the crook of your elbow, will all contribute to allaying fears of fellow delegates, and dramatically lessen putting both you and others at risk.
And of course, there is the brand-new way of saying hello – putting your foot out and tapping another person’s foot.
Perhaps the PDAC will be known for more than just innovations in the mining sector, but for pioneering the foot tap hello.
The show continues today and tomorrow.
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