Ontario Minister of Education Hon. Liz Sandals to officially open CIM Mining 4 Society (M4S) educational show

MONTREAL, May 1, 2013 /CNW Telbec/ - Ontario's Minister of Education, the Hon. Liz Sandals, will officially open the Mining 4 Society (M4S) educational show on Thursday, May 2. The free public show highlighting the positive impact of mining, minerals, metals and materials on our daily lives, will run for three days from May 2 to 4 and take place at the Queen Elizabeth Exhibit Hall in Toronto. Now in its eighth year, M4S, which is presented by the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum (CIM), is expected to welcome 3,500 students, teachers and members of the general public over the course of the three days.

"M4S allows students to see first-hand the possibilities a career in mining can offer," said the Hon. Liz Sandals, Ontario's minister of education. "Mining is a pillar of the Ontario economy and our high school students can learn more about mining through programs like our Specialist High Skills Majors."

M4S features seven interactive pavilions at which participants will have an opportunity to take part in a variety of hands-on activities that explore a wide range of activities representing the full mining cycle, from exploration, mining and processing to product fabrication, safety and sustainability. Visitors to the general public access day (Saturday, May 4) will also have an opportunity to win a spectacular diamond valued at over $3,700, compliments of De Beers Canada.

"Many people do not realize the positive contribution that mining makes to our daily lives," said Jean Vavrek, CIM executive director. "From the copper, gold and platinum used in our cell phones to the steel and aluminum necessary to build wind turbines, mining impacts almost every aspect of our lives."

M4S will also showcase the abundance of rewarding career opportunities the industry has to offer. With an estimated 145,000 jobs to fill in the mining and minerals sector by the year 2023, educating and training the future workforce about the wide variety of professions related to the sector has become more important than ever.

M4S will be held in advance of the CIM 2013 Convention to be held at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre from May 5 to May 8, an event that brings together influential speakers and industry executives from across the world.

Minister Sandals will be available for questions from the press following the opening ceremony.

Press are invited to the opening ceremony, which will take place on Thursday, May 2 at 9:30 a.m., and to tour the M4S Show.

The event will take place at:
Queen Elizabeth Exhibit Hall - Exhibition Place
180 Princes' Blvd., Toronto, ON

Thursday, May 2, 2013 - 9:00 to 14:00
Friday, May 3, 2013 - 9:00 to 14:00
Saturday, May 4, 2013 - 10:00 to 16:00 (Open to the general public free of charge)

About CIM
The Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum (CIM) is the leading Canadian technical society for the minerals industry with over 14,000 members across Canada and globally. CIM is dedicated to the advancement of knowledge and technology as well as the facilitation of networking, fraternity and professional development for the mining industry.

SOURCE: CANADIAN INSTITUTE OF MINING, METALLURGY AND PETROLEUM (CIM)

Media Contact:
Zoë Koulouris
Communications Coordinator
Canadian Institute of Mining Metallurgy and Petroleum (CIM)
[email protected]
514-939-2710 (x 1339)
www.cim.org