Sold-out event draws 142 registrants to Sparwood Recreation Centre

The CIM Crowsnest Branch and East Kootenay Chamber of Mines are pleased to announce the successful completion of the 34th Annual Coal Symposium, held on Tuesday, May 26, at the Sparwood Recreation Centre.

A sell-out, the event brought together 142 mining professionals, industry stakeholders, students, and community members for an evening of technical presentations, networking, and recognition of the region’s enduring mining heritage.

“This year’s symposium exceeded all expectations. To see 142 registrants come together — a fully sold-out event — is a powerful testament to the vitality of our regional mining community and the genuine appetite for knowledge-sharing and connection that exists here in the Elk Valley,” said Anne Keery, Chair of the CIM Crowsnest Branch. “We are incredibly proud to be able to continue to build on the success of this annual event, and grateful to everyone who makes it possible.”

The program opened with Bob Morris, who launched the evening by taking the room back millions of years with “The Lost Ichthyosaur” — a presentation equal parts geology and storytelling that reminded attendees just how much extraordinary history lies beneath the ground right around us. The Ichthyosaur, discovered in Morrissey, is a feature of the new BC Paleo Trails project.

From deep time, Tom Langford brought the conversation forward into the 20th century, drawing on his recent book The Lights On the Tipple Are Going Out: Fighting Economic Ruin in a Canadian Coalfield Community to offer a searching and human look at the collapse of the colliers in the Crowsnest Pass in the 1950s. His presentation grounded the day’s technical discussions in the social and historical realities that give this industry its deeper meaning. His book is available for purchase in all of the local museums, with proceeds going to the museums.

Tim Crowther then steered the program squarely into the present, presenting “Digital Transformation for Improved Sampling Efficiency” and examining how emerging technologies are actively reshaping quality assurance and data collection across mining operations. His presentation was a timely look at the pace of change facing the industry and the competitive opportunities it creates.

Kevin Rowe rounded out the program with “Coal Processing 101,” a wide-ranging and technically rich overview of modern, and not-so-modern, coal processing that covered everything from fundamentals to current practice. It was a fitting close — practical, informative, and valuable to professionals at every level of experience.

The symposium also welcomed co-op students, whose participation continues to be a valued part of the event. For many, it represents an early and formative introduction to the professional world of mining. It is a chance to sit alongside experienced practitioners, hear from industry leaders, and begin building the networks that will shape their careers. The organizing committee is proud to create space for the next generation of professionals at the table.

True to tradition, the day also featured a generous selection of door prizes — a highlight that never fails to draw enthusiasm from the crowd. The numerous prizes, contributed by sponsors, added a celebratory energy.

The 34th Annual Coal Symposium was made possible through the generous support of its sponsors. ALS Global served as the event’s Title Sponsor. Key sponsors included Century Wireline Services, WSP, FLS, and Canada Action. Additional Sponsors Foraco and Motion Industries further contributed to the event’s success. The organizing committee extends its sincere gratitude to all sponsoring organizations for their investment in the regional mining community.

A highlight of this year’s symposium was the presentation of two scholarships to local graduating high school students pursuing careers in the mining industry. The scholarships are funded in part by any revenues above the Coal Symposium’s costs.

“One of the most rewarding aspects of this event is knowing that every dollar beyond break-even goes directly toward these scholarships,” said Keery. “These awards have been changing lives in our communities since 1988, and it is a privilege to continue that legacy. When we have a sold-out, well-sponsored symposium, it means more support for the next generation of miners, engineers, and tradespeople.”

This year’s scholarship recipients are:

Zoey Ingham of Elkford who received a $1,000 scholarship in recognition of her pursuit of a mining-related trade. Zoey will be enrolling in the Electrical Foundations program at the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology.

Maggie Sutherland of Fernie who received a $1,000 scholarship for her first year of studies and a $2,000 scholarship for her second year. Maggie will be pursuing Environmental Sciences at the University of British Columbia Okanagan in a mining-related university program.

This year’s event was also marked by the attendance of Zoli Lukas, who was instrumental in establishing the scholarship fund in 1988 through the CIM District 6 Conference. His presence served as a meaningful connection between the program’s founding vision and its ongoing impact on students and communities across the region.

With the 34th Annual Coal Symposium now concluded, planning is already underway for the 35th Annual Coal Symposium, to be held in 2026. The organizing committee looks forward to once again bringing together the best of the industry in the heart of the Elk Valley.

Lead image: L to R: Antony McElwee – Hays Recruiting; Adrien Daley – Kal Tire; Paul Dore – PDC Environmental; Chris Wright – Kal Tire; Maggie Sutherland – Scholarship Recipient; Zoey Ingham – Recipient; Mike Casault – Mike Casault HSS Consulting; Anne Keery – Maple Change Consulting. Photos by Samantha Batten Photography

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