VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA — (Marketwired) — 08/15/13 — Canadian coal production, global coal and steel markets, rail and port capacity….these are just a few of the topics to be discussed at the 2013 Coal Association of Canada (CAC) Conference and Trade show taking place September 11-13 at the Westin Bayshore in Vancouver.
“The global coal industry is facing challenging times,” said Ann Marie Hann, President of the Coal Association of Canada. “Our outstanding line up of speakers will help put the issues into perspective by sharing strategic information about our industry so we can better understand the challenges and opportunities before us.”
As Canada is the third largest exporter of metallurgical (steel-making) coal in the world, a key session will focus on steel markets with presentations from Franz Blancquaert, General Manager Solid Fuels Purchasing of ArcelorMittal (Luxembourg), the world–s largest steel company and Koji Iwama, General Manager of Coal for Marubeni Corporation, one of Japan–s largest steel companies. The session also includes a presentation from steel market expert, Dr. Neil J. Bristow, Principal / Managing Consultant of H&W Worldwide Consulting Pty. Ltd.
Another session will feature a discussion on the coal industry from a global perspective. This includes a presentation from Milton Catelin, CEO of the World Coal Association (London, UK), who will speak about coal–s reputation around the world. He will be followed by the world-leading coal market analytics firm, Wood Mackenzie and Pricewaterhouse Coopers who will talk about global coal supply and demand and mine financing trends.
Since an efficient transportation network is critical to the coal industry, host presenters from Canada and the United States will speak about port and rail infrastructure requirements to ship coal to international markets. Executives from four Canadian coal companies, Coalspur Mines, Fortune Minerals, Teck Resources Limited, and Walter Energy will round out the conference sharing their plans for the future.
The conference will be moderated by internationally renowned coal expert, Gerard McCloskey, Founder of the McCloskey Group, Chairman, Merlin Trade and Consultancy and Senior Advisor, Global Coal Sector, Renaissance Capital.
In 2011, the coal industry contributed an estimated $5.2 billion to Canada–s GDP. Nationally, over 42,000 people are directly and indirectly employed thanks to the coal industry and in addition to employment the industry provides other sizable financial benefits to governments. Total tax payments made by the coal mining industry to all levels of government in 2011 were $715.2 million which helped to support public infrastructure, such as roads, hospitals, schools and other social programs.
One of the key goals of the Coal Association of Canada is to promote the role and value of the Canadian coal industry. Membership in the Association includes the full coal chain, including coal producers, transporters (port, terminals and rail), industry consumers and companies supplying goods and services to the industry.
Note to editors:
Media interested in attending the conference or interviewing any of the conference speakers must be accredited. The media registration form can be downloaded at the . More information on specific media availabilities with key speakers will be provided to media closer to the conference. A complete list of presentations can be found in the .
Contacts:
Michelle Mondeville
Director of Communications and Stakeholder Relations
780-993-6651 (cellular)