A leading mining industry event in Europe, the Fennoscandian Exploration and Mining (FEM 2015) conference, will be held on November 3–4, 2015 in Levi, Kittilä, Finland. The conference, being held for the 10th time this year, brings together mining industry specialists from almost 30 countries to network and discuss current research and business topics. “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 northeast Russia,” says Chair of the FEM 2015 Organising Committee Kimmo Pietikäinen, 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 UK, 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 UK and Australia to Finland will bring greetings from their embassies.
“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 Regional Council of Lapland.
Kittilä is currently one of the most active mining areas in Europe. According to a review of business conditions published last year, Lapland has developed better than the national average in exports, among other things. The mining industry and the jobs and services that have been created alongside it are one element of that growth. 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. We have got off to an excellent start: 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 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 program also includes the international Karelian Gold Rush, a global exploration challenge open to all organised by Endomines. The challenge materials available at the FEM conference on November 4 at the Endomines stand.
In addition to the conference, the programe includes a trade show, two short science courses and excursions to the mines of Agnico Eagle Finland Oy and First Quantum Minerals.
The program, speaker introductions and list of exhibitors are available at http://fem.lappi.fi