IT WAS called Christmas in October this morning as the surplus from this year's Minerals North 2013 mining conference held in Terrace was distributed to various groups.
In disbursing cheques worth $38,000 the chair of the conference organizing committee spoke to the success of the April event.
“It was the 25th anniversary of Minerals North and this was the most successful conference held in Terrace and for Minerals North itself,” said Rob Dykman. the chair of the Terrace Economic Development Authority and chair of the Minerals North organizing committee.
“The volunteer group spent two years and put in countless hours of time.”
Close to 1,000 delegates were registered with mining and mining services companies came from all over the country to participate, said Dykman.
“The future of mining looks pretty good with the Northwest Transmission Line being built,” he added.
Minerals North is held in a different northern city each year, relying on local volunteers and groups to stage each event.
In Terrace, Volunteer Terrace, the Terrace Sportsplex and Northwest Community College were key contributors.
Recipients of the surplus include:
Centennial Christian School – $1,000 for scholarships in trades or mining related studies.
Heritage Park Museum – $2,000 for upgrades to future mining displays.
Volunteer Terrace – $2,500 as an honorarium for operating expenses
Terrace Community Foundation – $2,500 in lieu of Speakers Gifts.
Coast Mountain School District - $3,000 for Scholarships in Trades or Mining Related Studies.
Minerals North Conference Association - $4,000 for unforeseen expenses of future conferences.
City of Terrace - $8,000 for the purchase of Round Tables for future events at the Sportsplex.
Northwest Community College - $5000 for Scholarships in Trades or Mining Programs and $10,000.00 to help with upgrades to the Culinary Arts Equipment, for a total of $15,000.