2018 CAC Conference News Release – August 21, 2018

Aug 22, 2018

2018 Conference Focus will focus on “Canada’s Coal Industry: Driving Global Growth”

EDMONTON, AB – As coal continues to make headlines at home and abroad, experts and industry leaders from Canada and around the world will gather at the Westin Bayshore in Vancouver, British Columbia from September 12-14 to discuss the state of the coal industry and what lies ahead.

The 2018 conference will focus on “Canada’s Coal Industry: Driving Global Growth” and explore all components of the coal chain in Canada and why our product is critical for expanding populations around the world. Delegates will hear from a range of industry leaders, experts and scholars throughout the three-day conference.

“Our goal is to provide a conference that unifies our membership and speaks to the challenges at hand. We can truly be a catalyst to international growth. Our premium

Canadian coals are highly valued, both at home and abroad,” says Mark Bartkoski, Chairman of the CAC and President of Conuma Coal Resources.

The conference will kick off with a Technical Session presented in partnership with the Western Canadian Coal Society followed by a Career Opportunity & Mining Support Expo targeting post-secondary students with an interest in a career in the coal industry. General Sessions 1 – 4 on Thursday and Friday will focus on topics from Canadian and international coal market analysis, mining support technology and transportation, project updates from Canadian metallurgical and thermal producers and developers and government perspectives on coal mining in Canada.

With well over 30 presenters this year, the conference will provide delegates with in-depth coverage of the entire sector. Speakers include representatives from Stantec, Hatfield Consultants, IHS Markit, S&P Global Ratings, Wood Mackenzie, Finning Canada, SMS Equipment, CN, CP, Port of Vancouver, Ridley Terminals, Avani Resources, Shanxi Coking Coal Group, International CCS Knowledge Centre, NRCan, Government of BC and over ten developers and producers. A full listing and program is available at http://www.coal2018.ca/.

Ernie Thrasher, CEO and Chief Marketing Officer of Xcoal Energy & Resources, will also bring his 40 years of coal industry experience to the stage as keynote speaker.

Moderating the conference this year are two well-known figures in the Canadian and international industry. The Coal Association of Canada welcomes back Bob Bell, now Chief Commercial Officer at Montem Resources and joining him will be Neil Bristow,

Managing Director at H&W Worldwide Consulting. Their decades of combined experience across the sector will result in thorough discussions with all presenters.

The Awards Ceremony on Thursday evening will honour some of Canada’s most influential industry players. Dennis Blake, Sr. Manager of Ridley Terminals will receive the 2018 Award of Distinction, the Associations highest honour. Mr. Blake has been an integral part of Ridley Terminals since the first piece of coal was shipped in 1983 and his dedication to the company and the Canadian coal industry is regarded as a major contributor to the success of Ridley Terminals.

Benga Mining Ltd. operating as Riversdale Resources, and Conuma Coal Resources will receive the inaugural 2018 Community Champions Awards. These new awards are given to CAC member companies that have demonstrated positive impacts in their community and developed strong relationships with local community leaders and organizations.

The coal industry is a critical component of the Canadian economy and is in demand around the world. Canada’s high-grade metallurgical and thermal coal combined with first-rate infrastructure and transportation for getting our coal to market makes Canadian coal a cost-effective solution and attractive jurisdiction for this valuable and critical resource.

Additional information on the full conference program and speakers can be viewed at http://www.coal2018.ca/.

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Note to editors:

Media interested in attending the 2018 conference can learn more about accreditation from the conference media page.

For more information:

Reise O’Hara
Coal Association of Canada
(780) 757 9488
ohara@coal.ca