News Release

FREDERICTON (GNB) – The 41st Annual Exploration, Mining and Petroleum Conference is underway in Fredericton, bringing together more than 200 delegates for presentations on a variety of topics relative to minerals and energy in the province.

The conference started Sunday at the Fredericton Convention Centre and continues through Tuesday, Nov. 8.

“Your government understands that creating jobs and growing the economy are important to New Brunswickers,” said Energy and Resource Development Minister Rick Doucet. “This conference brings together companies, large and small, to discuss current exploration and development opportunities and to share views on the future of mineral and petroleum resource exploration.”

Last year, the mining sector contributed about $400 million to the provincial economy while employing about 2,500 people. Mining royalties paid to the government over the last five years approached $170 million.

“The potential for developing our natural resources is tremendous,” said Doucet. “As a government, we support safe and responsible resource development for the benefit of all New Brunswickers.”

The conference is a co-operative effort among the New Brunswick Prospectors and Developers Association, the New Brunswick Branch of the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum, and the Department of Energy and Resource Development.