Finland Times

The Fennoscandian Exploration and Mining (FEM 2015) conference, the leading mining industry event in Europe, will be held on 3–4 November 2015 in Levi, Kittilä.

The biennial conference, organised for the 10th time this year, brings together mining industry specialists from almost 30 countries to network and discuss current research and business topics, according to a press release of the Regional Council of Lapland issued on 28 October.

“FEM offers a comprehensive overall picture of what is currently happening and what will happen in the future in the mining industry of Finland, Sweden, Norway and North-East

Russia,” says chair of the FEM 2015 Organising Committee Kimmo Pietikäinen, who is Regional Director at Geological Survey of Finland, Northern Finland Office.

In addition to Finnish experts, the conference will feature many international speakers, including top names, corporate management in the field, researchers and specialists from Canada, Australia, the United Kingdom, Norway and South Africa. A large number of companies producing additional services for the mining industry, consultants and investors will also take part in the event.

The ambassadors of Canada, the United Kingdom and Australia to Finland will bring greetings from their embassies, said the release.

“Over 900 participants have already registered for the conference, and registrations are still coming. The trade show is sold out, with 125 exhibitors and 101 stands. This is a clear signal that, although the economic outlook of the mining industry is not the best at the moment, companies in the field are investing more on marketing,” says FEM Project Manager Riitta Muhojoki of the Regional Council of Lapland.

Kittilä is currently one of the most active mining areas in Europe. Lapland has developed better than the national average in exports among other things, according to the review of business conditions published last year.

In addition to maintaining mining industry networks, the biennial FEM conference has a significant economic impact and effects on the image of Lapland and the entire Fennoscandia.

“In accordance with Lapland's Arctic specialisation strategy, we strive to be a pioneer in the sustainable use of natural resources and the circular economy… Lapland was chosen as one of EU's model areas of the sustainable processing of natural resources with six other European top areas,” says County Governor of Lapland Mika Riipi.

The two-day conference is organised in collaboration between the Regional Council of Lapland, Council of Oulu Region, Regional Council of Central Ostrobothnia, Regional Council of Kainuu, Regional Council of North Karelia, the Geological Surveys of Finland, Sweden and Norway, University of Oulu, Luleå University of Technology, the Finnish Mining Association, Invest in Finland and the Ministry of Employment and the Economy.

International FEM partners include the Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada (PDAC) and the Embassy of Canada to Finland.

This year's programme also includes the international Karelian Gold Rush, a global exploration challenge open to all organised by Endomines AB.

The challenge materials will be published at the FEM conference on 4 November 2015 at the Endomines trade show stand. The cash prizes are €40,000, €20,000, €10,000 and €2,000.

The list of winners will be published at the world's leading mineral exploration and mining convention organised by FEM's partner PDAC in Toronto in March 2016, according to the release.

In addition to the conference, the programme includes a trade show, two short science courses and excursions to the mines of Agnico Eagle Finland Oy and First Quantum Minerals Ltd.