RISA MI April 2012 by Westlund PVF

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Resource Industry Suppliers Association

Market Intelligence Bulletin Issue #4

Energy

Forestry

Mining

2012

Bio Products

104, 14020-128th Avenue, Edmonton, Alberta, T5L 4M8 Phone: (780) 489-5900 Email: RISA@resourcesuppliers.com

Table of Contents Industry News: Energy New Syncrude facility planned for Westlock County.................................................................................... 2 TransCanada eyes oil line expansions south and east .................................................................................. 3 U.S. firm Sunoco to sell for $5.3 billion to Energy Transfer Partners .......................................................... 4 Industry News: Forestry Norampac bombshell – Trenton mill closing ................................................................................................ 5 Fire destroys sawmill in Ontario ................................................................................................................... 6 All B.C. sawmills to be inspected after latest fatal blast ............................................................................... 7 Pesky Asian bugs threaten Montreal’s ash trees .......................................................................................... 8 Confidential report warns pine beetle set to destroy B.C. forestry jobs ...................................................... 9 Domtar’s Dryden Ontario pulp mill site for $14 million wood waste conversion project .......................... 10 Industry News: Mining Claude Resources acquires St. Eugene mining ........................................................................................... 11 Hudbay to develop copper project, invests in Northern Shield ................................................................. 12 Diamond Mining: Lucara’s Karowe mine produces first gems ................................................................... 12 Chamber of Mines commends Prime Minister for regulatory reform ....................................................... 12 Industry News: Bio-Products & Bio-Energy EERC demonstrates mobile gasification ..................................................................................................... 13 No fiction in this pulp .................................................................................................................................. 14 Shell, Iogen scrap plans for biofuel plant in Manitoba ............................................................................... 15 Announcements: RISA News & Events Upcoming RISA Luncheon/Breakfast Events............................................................................................... 17 Annual Golf Classic 2012 ............................................................................................................................. 19 RISA News ................................................................................................................................................... 20 Event Opportunities: Energy CHOA Technical Lunch: OSLI Water Technology Development Centre (WTDC)......................................... 21 Energy Visions Business Forum 2012 .......................................................................................................... 22 2012 Global Petroleum Show ..................................................................................................................... 23 National Buyer/Seller Forum ...................................................................................................................... 24 Event Opportunities: Mining RockEng12- 21st Canadian Rock Mechanics Symposium ............................................................................ 25 CIM Conference & Exhibition: Edmonton 2012 .......................................................................................... 26 The Coal Association of Canada 2012 National Conference ....................................................................... 27 MassMin 2012 International Conference & Exhibition .............................................................................. 28 Event Opportunities: Bio-Products & Bio-Energy CanBio Technology Mission to Denmark and/or Sweden .......................................................................... 29 CI Energy Group’s 15th Annual BC Natural Gas Symposium ....................................................................... 30 International Bioenergy Conference & Exhibition ...................................................................................... 31 Public Notice: Site C Clean Energy Project Public Comment Period & Open House Sessions .................... 32 Event Opportunities: Forestry 25th Annual PricewaterhouseCoopers Global Forest and Paper Industry Conference ............................... 32 Event Opportunities: Other Tax and Risk Management for Companies with International Sales .......................................................... 33 New RISA Members.................................................................................................................................... 34 Resource Industry Suppliers Association | The RISA Market Intelligence Bulletins are intended for the sole view of specific RISA member recipients and paying customers. The re-creation in whole or in part without the explicit written consent of RISA is strictly prohibited.

Industry News: Energy

New Syncrude facility planned for Westlock County Demonstration project would produce 300 barrels of oil per day Original Source: The Westlock News l Original Article Written By: Doug Neuman A facility using a new method to produce synthetic crude could be on display in Westlock County within three years, county council heard last week. Perry Toms, CEO and co-founder of Steeper Energy, outlined the company’s plans for a $30 million dollar commercial demonstration project, which would be located at the site of the existing Dapp Power Plant. The hydrofaction technology, a patent-pending process, that would be used in this facility was developed in part by Toms’ business partner Dr. Steen B. Iverson, a Danish scientist, but has its roots in a German process developed in the 1930s to turn high-quality coal into liquid fuels. “We’ve got a somewhat different approach. We’re taking low-quality fuels and turning them into a highvalue, middle-distillate oil,” Toms said. If all goes according to the developer’s plan, the facility could be commissioned by late 2014 and pumping out 300 barrels per day by 2015. Toms said Canada as a whole, and the Westlock area in particular, is a good fit for this project because of the large stocks of peat, timber and other biomass. He suggested there could be a benefit to farmers in the area, who often simply burn biomass like peat, wood and hay. “What these things have is a molecular structure with carbon, hydrogen and oxygen molecule. If we just remove that oxygen molecule, we have a hydrocarbon,” he said. “If it’s organic, if it’s grown, we can convert it to oil.” He said this technology would use significantly less water than current Syncrude projects, and produces fewer carbon emissions. If liquid carbon dioxide is recovered through the process, there could be a net negative emission of carbon dioxide. Furthermore, biomass is a renewable resource while Alberta’s oil sands are not, and with rising oil prices there is a strong economic argument in favour of this technology as well. Resource Industry Suppliers Association | The RISA Market Intelligence Bulletins are intended for the sole view of specific RISA member recipients and paying customers. The re-creation in whole or in part without the explicit written consent of RISA is strictly prohibited.

“We’re less expensive, we’re more environmentally benign, we’ll use less overall resource, and produce a product that is complementary (to oil sands syncrude),” he said. “I think that’s a great opportunity.”

TransCanada eyes oil line expansions south and east Refiling for Keystone XL permit “immenient” as eastern line considered Source: Calgary Herald | Written by: Rebecca Penty

CALGARY — TransCanada Corp. is advancing pipeline plans to move growing volumes of crude from Alberta to the U.S. Gulf Coast just as it considers linking western Canadian production to new markets in Eastern Canada. Canada’s largest pipeline company based in Calgary is set to re-apply for U.S. federal approval to build its proposed Alberta-to-Texas Keystone XL oil pipeline while it also examines reconfiguring part of its Canadian mainline gas line into a conduit for oil. A repurposed mainline could deliver up to 800,000 barrels per day, according to the proposal, to eastern Canadian refineries eyeing western crude that’s selling at a bargain to world prices. TransCanada chief executive Russ Girling said Friday that a refiling with the U.S. State Department is “imminent,” for a permit to build the cross-border portion of the $7.6-billion Keystone XL expected online by late 2014 or early 2015, while the firm plans to start a summer build of the southern leg of the line from Cushing, Okla. to the Texas Gulf Coast that doesn’t require presidential approval — split from the larger project in February and expected in service in mid to late 2013. Girling told reporters following the company’s annual general meeting that last week’s submission by TransCanada to the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality of several alternative pipeline routes around ecologically sensitive lands in the state moves toward satisfying the State Department’s request last November for more study of Keystone XL. That additional review delayed assessment of the 2,700-kilometre line, then U.S. President Barack Obama rejected the project in January when Congress forced him to make a quick decision. “Now, we’re in a position to make our application,” Girling said. TransCanada, which reported a 14 per cent decline in first-quarter profit on Friday on a downturn in North America’s gas industry caused by decade-low prices, is studying ways to revive its mainline business that’s been hit by declining throughput — volume on the system was less than half its capacity during the quarter on what Girling called the warmest winter in 100 years. That could mean switching one or more pipes on the five-pipe, roughly 14,000-kilometre mainline that stretches from Alberta to Quebec over to oil — either 30- or 40-inch pipes — to deliver between 300,000 barrels per day and 800,000 barrels per day, Girling said. Resource Industry Suppliers Association | The RISA Market Intelligence Bulletins are intended for the sole view of specific RISA member recipients and paying customers. The re-creation in whole or in part without the explicit written consent of RISA is strictly prohibited.

“We have a lot of work to do, technically, we have a lot of work to do with our shippers, but at that 30,000-foot level, it seems to make sense to people,” Girling said. “We’re going to actively pursue it and see if we can understand it and turn it into an opportunity for both the oil and gas industry and TransCanada.” For further reading visit: http://www.calgaryherald.com/technology/TransCanada+eyes+line+expansions+south+east/6532374/stor y.html

U.S. firm Sunoco to sell for $5.3 billion to Energy Transfer Partners Source: Calgary Herald | By: Swetha Gopinath, Reuters

Pipeline operator Energy Transfer Partners LP said it will buy Sunoco Inc for $5.3 billion in stock and cash to get into the more lucrative crude oil transportation business as natural gas prices stay weak. Oil and gas production from shale formations in the United States has surged over the past two years, creating a scramble to build infrastructure to get supplies to refining hubs. The resulting oversupply has sent natural gas prices to their lowest in a decade and made drilling in so-called "dry gas" fields uneconomical. "As we have said in the past year, our goal is to derive more of our distributable cash flow from the transportation of heavier hydrocarbons like crude oil, NGLs (natural-gas liquids), and refined products," Energy Transfer Chief Executive Kelcy Warren said in a statement. Sunoco shareholders will receive $25 in cash and 0.5245 Energy Transfer units, or $50.13, for every share they own. The offer represents a 22.5 percent premium to Sunoco's Friday close of $40.91 on the New York Stock Exchange. Sunoco, which was once a major independent refiner in the Northeastern United States, plans to end nearly 120 years in the U.S. refining business as high crude prices and slumping demand squeeze profits. Sunoco, which plans to get out of the refining business, said it will continue talks with private equity firm Carlyle Group LP (CG.O) for a joint venture to run its 335,000-barrel-per-day Philadelphia refinery. A deal with Carlyle would save the refinery, the biggest on the U.S. East Coast, from a planned closure and ease concerns about potential fuel shortage on the East Coast this summer. Resource Industry Suppliers Association | The RISA Market Intelligence Bulletins are intended for the sole view of specific RISA member recipients and paying customers. The re-creation in whole or in part without the explicit written consent of RISA is strictly prohibited.

Energy Transfer said the Sunoco deal would immediately add to its distributable cash flow and change the cash flow mix of its pipeline businesses to about 70 percent natural gas and 30 percent liquids. The planned acquisition of Sunoco comes close on the heels of a deal by Energy Transfer Equity LP, the owner of the general partner of Energy Transfer Partners, to buy rival Southern Union Co for about $5.5 billion, after a heated bidding war with Williams Cos Inc. Energy Transfer said it would also gain incentive distribution rights in Sunoco Logistics Partners, Sunoco's 32.4 percent interest in Sunoco Logistics Partners' limited partner units and Sunoco's branded retail business. In addition to its gasoline stations, Sunoco's logistics business owns refined product and oil pipelines as well as terminals. Wells Fargo Securities acted as financial adviser to Energy Transfer, while Credit Suisse Securities LLC advised Sunoco.

Read more: http://www.calgaryherald.com/business/energyresources/6541174/story.html#ixzz1tYuFrKXd

Industry News: Forestry

Norampac bombshell — Trenton mill closing Source: The Working Forest Newspaper

Norampac is closing its Trenton mill operation — an industrial bulwark on the banks of the Trent River since 1927. The company, headquartered in Quebec, is squarely laying the blame at the feet of the union. The news sent shock waves through the community. Approximately 130 people are expected to lose their jobs when Cascades Inc. shuts the mill June 1 and observers said the closure will have a huge negative impact on the local economy. It’s the latest in a string of plant closures to hit Trenton in recent years. The list includes General Mills and Pepsico. Hundreds of people have lost their jobs in the plant closures prior to Thursday’s bombshell. Resource Industry Suppliers Association | The RISA Market Intelligence Bulletins are intended for the sole view of specific RISA member recipients and paying customers. The re-creation in whole or in part without the explicit written consent of RISA is strictly prohibited.

The company had warned the union it would close if the final offer and new collective agreement was not accepted and the union representing about 100 workers rejected the company’s final offer in a vote Tuesday afternoon. Labour negotiations have been a sore point since March 2011, with both sides unable to reach an agreement. Union officials described company threats to close as a bluff and an attempt to force the union into concessions. It was no bluff. The workers are represented by Local 1470 of the Communications, Energy and Papermakers Union (CEP). Both sides met Tuesday morning at Quinte West city hall in Trenton and sources told QMI Agency the company “laid it on the line” to workers. Norampac president and CEO Marc-André Depin told QMI Agency the company tried it’s best to reason with the union saying “This is a bitter, sad day. We are sorry, but we had no choice”, further stating the he said Norampac had put a “more than fair” offer on the table. The offer included a two per cent pay raise in each year of the four-year contract. In addition the company had intended to invest $2.5 million in capital upgrades at the plant.“We offered salary increases in a plant that does not make money,” said Depin. “The pulp and paper market is a world-wide market and we are trying hard to compete. Union officials described the threat to close as “blackmail”. Ontario region CEP vice president Dave Moffat said the dispute has to do with a lot more than pay raises saying “if it was only about two per cent pay raises we would happily go back. There is much more on the table than raises and I am not about discuss them through the newspaper,” Moffat said in an interview. The union learned about closure shortly after the company issued a statement around 2 p.m. Thursday. “We just got the news from a press release like you did and we need to start strategizing. We are very disappointed. It is blackmail basically. There are numerous concessions and hopefully we can go back to the bargaining table and get this resolved,” said Moffat. There could indeed be a glimmer of hope for the troubled plant and the hundreds of people affected by the closure. Depin said if the union and employees show they are willing to work with the company, Norampac will reconsider the closure. “They have to prove to us that they would like to work with us. But we are not going to change one dime of our offer,” said Depin. “We are not against unions. Some of our other plants are unionized. Yes, I’m upset because we need to have people working with us. We need to all work in one direction, not in opposite directions.” Norampac closed plants in Burnaby, B.C in 2011 and Toronto in 2009 over similar labour disputes and Thursday’s news will also a have a devastating effect on the wider Quinte region. Hundreds of people employed in the logging industry could lose their jobs and company officials estimate losses to the local forestry industry at $9.5 million.

Fire destroys sawmill in Ontario Source: Random Lengths Woodwire An April 8th fire destroyed three buildings, including a sawmill, at Cedar Creek Sawmill & Tree Farm in North Dumfries, Ontario, according to media reports. No injuries were reported.

Resource Industry Suppliers Association | The RISA Market Intelligence Bulletins are intended for the sole view of specific RISA member recipients and paying customers. The re-creation in whole or in part without the explicit written consent of RISA is strictly prohibited.

All B.C. sawmills to be inspected after latest fatal blast Source: CTV Edmonton The government of British Columbia said Tuesday that all sawmills in the province will be inspected, in the wake of two fatal explosions since January. The news comes after a massive blaze triggered by an explosion at a sawmill resulted in the death of 43year-old shift supervisor Alan Little on Monday night. The explosion at the Lakeland Sawmill in Prince George occurred at about 9:45 p.m. local time. About two dozen employees were taken to hospital with various injuries, which range in severity. Ten of them remain in serious condition, according to the Northern Health Authority. Labour Minister Margaret MacDiarmid said she will “send an order out to all the sawmills in the province asking them, telling them, instructing them to inspect from top to bottom their mills, to make sure all steps are being taken to address current safety policy.” Mill workers were forced to run for their lives when the blast hit, triggering a fire and causing walls to collapse. “Flames were shooting four, five, six stories into the air,” Prince George Coun. Cameron Stolz told CTV News Channel on Tuesday. “It was absolutely devastating.” Smoke continued to billow above the facility early on Tuesday morning. Emergency crews need to make sure the steel structure that surrounds the site is stable before they enter for any type of formal investigation, Lane told CTV News Channel on Tuesday. Though he declined to comment on the possible cause of the blast, Lane said authorities have been able to rule out natural gas. “This plant doesn’t have any natural gas feed to it,” he said. On the police end, RCMP Cpl. Craig Douglass said officers intend to conduct interviews with people who were inside the building. Brian Croy, first vice-president of the United Steelworkers Local 1-424, was with six people in the mill’s lunchroom when the explosion hit. “There was no warning, no nothing. All of a sudden there was a flash, next thing you know there was a boom,” he told CTV News Channel on Tuesday morning. Twenty-five employees were transported to a B.C. hospital after the blast, according to mill owner Sinclar Group Forest Products Ltd. Up to eight people were in critical condition, said a spokesperson for Northern Health Authority. Four of the injured had to be airlifted to hospitals in Vancouver and Edmonton, according to Sinclar Group. There were 24 employees working inside the sawmill at the time of the blast, according to Sinclar Group. Sixteen others were working in an on-site planer mill, while four were in the yard. Greg Stewart, president of Sinclar Group Forest Products, said the company refuses to comment on what may have caused the explosion until a proper investigation is complete. “All of our attention right now is focused on ensuring our employees and their families receive the care they need,” he said in a statement issued Tuesday. Resource Industry Suppliers Association | The RISA Market Intelligence Bulletins are intended for the sole view of specific RISA member recipients and paying customers. The re-creation in whole or in part without the explicit written consent of RISA is strictly prohibited.

Pesky Asian bugs threaten Montreal’s ash trees Source: The (Montreal) Gazette

Photo Credit: Canadian Food Inspection Agency

MONTREAL – The emerald ash borer is magnificent under magnification. It looks like a cricket decked out in iridescent greens and blues – but if left unchecked, this little insect pest could potentially kill onethird of all the trees in Montreal. This pesky little 8raveler, which has probably come to North America in shipping containers from its native Asia, has wreaked havoc with the ash trees of Ontario and the northeastern United States, particularly Michigan. Last summer in Montreal, 15 trees were found to be infected in eight neighbourhoods of the city. “Left unchecked, we could lose all our ash trees in 10 to 15 years,” said Alan DeSousa, vice-president of Montreal’s executive committee. For that reason, the central city has announced a get-tough-on-bugs offensive to stop the Asian beetle from destroying the green canopy that makes Montreal so inhabitable. “The adult larvae come out in May, so that’s why it’s important to start acting now,” said Daniel Desjardins with Montreal’s parks department. “There are 48,000 ash trees on the streets and 150,000 in our parks. Of all the trees in the southwest borough, 42 per cent of those are ash.” DeSousa said ash trees historically survive the ravages of Montreal winters, hence their popularity. Before these beetles migrated, ash trees had no problems, unlike elms with Dutch elm disease. So what can Montrealers do to help? During spring cleanup and opening of gardens, people who trim branches are asked to put them apart from other garden waste and call 311 to arrange for pickup. This applies to all branches; DeSousa stressed we’re not being asked to become tree identification experts. “There will be selective felling of diseased trees and the use of a bio-pesticide – Tree-Azin – was approved by the executive committee,” DeSousa said of other offensives. If you suspect your ash tree is infected – telltale signs are a wormy pattern in the wood caused by the larvae and a lot of woodpeckers, who love the immature bugs – DeSousa advises contacting your borough to have the tree inspected. “We have learned lessons from Ontario, where this insect did a lot of damage. We are doing all we can to protect Montreal’s natural canopy and taking this threat very seriously.”

Confidential report warns pine beetle set to destroy BC forestry jobs Source: The Globe and Mail l By: Mark Hume The full, devastating impact of the pine-beetle epidemic that has swept across British Columbia will be felt in the next few years when up to half the forest-industry jobs in the province’s interior will vanish, according to a government report meant to be confidential. The document, a briefing report for the provincial Forests minister, was inadvertently posted on the internet. It gives details on the unfolding timber supply crisis that threatens “the short and medium-term sustainability” of communities that have depended on logging for generations. The document suggests possible responses to temporarily blunt the impact of the crisis – including allowing logging in old-growth areas that have long been set aside to protect the overall health of the forest. The forest industry has been racing to harvest those dead trees before they lose their value. But the report warns that when the forests killed by the pine beetle are logged out, there will be a period – lasting decades in some areas – in which the amount of harvestable timber available will fall dramatically. And as the timber supply dwindles, forestry jobs in the B.C. interior will melt away. The current 22,890 jobs across the region could fall to just 10,808 within a few years, a stunning decline of 52 per cent. Prince George alone could lose more than 6,500 jobs. The document was removed from a site open to the public shortly after independent MLA Bob Simpson asked questions about it Tuesday in the provincial legislature. Mr. Simpson said the numbers in the document are shocking, and that the report shows the government doesn’t have a plan to deal with the crisis, which could see major layoffs begin within 17 months. “Around 12,000 jobs will be lost and even if they implement all the mitigation they are considering, it is still going to mean 9,000 jobs are lost,” said Mr. Simpson. He said he is concerned that, in desperation, the government will allow logging in protected areas. But he said that approach would be wrong because it “threatens the long-term health of the forests,” while providing a limited number of jobs for a few years. “The government is looking at turning forest management on its head because they have done nothing for 10 years to get ready for this,” he said. The report also noted that planned mining and energy infrastructure projects could ease the economic blow to the interior. Forests Minister Steve Thomson could not be reached for comment. But Vivian Thomas, a Ministry of Forests spokesperson, said the document was intended for internal use only and it was posted by an employee inadvertently.“That draft report is just one piece of information that government is looking at before fully engaging with the public. Government expects to be in a position to begin public dialogue within the next couple of months,” she stated in a subsequent e-mail. The report looks at four timber supply areas – Lakes, Prince George, Quesnel and Williams Lake – which stretch across the interior where the pine-beetle infestation has killed huge swaths of forest. Resource Industry Suppliers Association | The RISA Market Intelligence Bulletins are intended for the sole view of specific RISA member recipients and paying customers. The re-creation in whole or in part without the explicit written consent of RISA is strictly prohibited.

In the Williams Lake region, for example, the annual allowable cut will go from the current level of 5.7 million cubic metres, to 1.9 million cubic metres. In Prince George it will go from 12.5 million cubic metres to 6.4. In both locations, states the report, it will be possible to increase the cut temporarily by logging in protected areas – but it cautions that removing old growth, “increases the risk of survival” for some species. The report states that without mitigation, the timber supply will decline by 67 per cent in the Lakes timber supply area, by 51 per cent in Quesnel, 32 per cent in Prince George and 32 per cent in Williams Lake. “Regionally these reductions would lead to a timber supply that could support about 53 per cent less employment in the area than pre-beetle,” states the report. The confidential report suggests several possible ways for the government to engage affected communities in dialogue, and notes: “Regardless of the option chosen, a communications strategy will need to be developed. All options require timely action with government decisions required by December 31, 2012 to avoid conflict with May 2013 election.”

Domtar’s Dryden Ontario pulp mill site for $14 million wood waste conversion project Source: The Working Forest Newspaper

Domtar and Battelle, the world’s largest private Research and Development Institute, have partnered up to develop a new approach to converting underutilized wood to fuel. The partners will develop a unique, cost-effective system that if successful, will increase operational efficiencies and create a fossil fuel alternative for transportation fuels. This system uses “fast pyrolysis” technology, a process that rapidly converts biomass using heat without oxygen to produce crude bio-oil and gas. The key to Battelle’s approach is in the treatment and processing of this crude bio-oil to a “drop-in fuel”, which can be blended directly with gasoline or diesel fuel. CRIBE, Thunder Bay’s Centre for Research and Innovation in the Bio-Economy, is providing up to $6 Million in funding to leverage a total project value of up to $14 Million. “This project is a tremendous opportunity for forestry operations,” said Lorne Morrow, CEO for CRIBE. “Having such a prominent international R&D company working on one of our projects is a huge win for CRIBE and northern Ontario as a whole.” This project will put Northern Ontario on the cutting edge of new technology in the forestry sector. Once developed it could be applied to many forestry operations across the North to add a high value revenue stream and reduce business costs. This in turn will sustain jobs at the mill level and increase demand for products and services of supporting industries including forest harvesting, construction, maintenance, transportation and research and development industries.

Domtar Dryden will use wood waste, which is currently burned for low value, as the biomass feedstock for the process. If successful, the bio-oil will be used to blend into the fuel for Domtar’s vehicle fleet or it could be used internally to offset the use of natural gas. “We are pleased with this opportunity to help develop, demonstrate and commercialize this innovative technology,” said Bruno Marcoccia, Director of Research and Development at Domtar. “It will be good news for everyone if we are successful.” According to a CRIBE media release, one of the big advantages to Battelle’s system is that its unique design requires far less energy to produce the same fuel product as existing “fuel from wood” technology. As well, because it simply adds to an existing operation, it reduces capital and operating costs, making it more economically viable. “We’re pleased to be partnering with CRIBE and Domtar on this exciting project,” said Charles Lucius, Battelle’s Vice President for Energy Sustainability Solutions. “This is our first time working on this type of project in Ontario and we are really looking forward to it.” In this two phase project, phase 1 will utilize wood waste from Domtar’s Dryden mill to produce the higher value bio-oil. Once the process is optimized and results are demonstrated, phase two involves the construction of a 100 ton/day pilot plant, to be integrated into Domtar Dryden’s facility. “This exciting partnership is developing technology with the potential to transform the forest products industry in Northern Ontario,” said Michael Gravelle, Minister of Natural Resources. “It is a tremendous opportunity that will strengthen the sector, and our economy, so that we can continue to support strong communities in the North.”

Industry News: Mining

Claude Resources acquires St. Eugene Mining Source: Mid-Canada Forestry & Mining Saskatoon-based Claude Resources Inc. (TSX-CRJ) has acquired all of the outstanding shares of St. Eugene Mining Corporation Limited (TSX-V: SEM). Claude now owns 100% of the Amisk Gold Project. At 23,450 hectares, this gold and silver exploration property is one of the largest land positions in the Flin Flon mineral district. The Amisk Gold Property is located 20 km southwest of Flin Flon, Manitoba and hosts the Amisk Gold Project, a bulk mineable gold and silver deposit. In 2012, Claude will update the current resource calculation, conduct a Preliminary Economic Assessment and further exploration programs on the property. Resource Industry Suppliers Association | The RISA Market Intelligence Bulletins are intended for the sole view of specific RISA member recipients and paying customers. The re-creation in whole or in part without the explicit written consent of RISA is strictly prohibited.

Hudbay to develop copper project, invests in Northern Shield Source: Mid-Canada Forestry & Mining HudBay Mineral’s (TSE: HBM) Reed copper project in Manitoba recently got the ‘go ahead’ from the company’s board of directors, who approved a capital investment of $71 million towards the construction of the 70% owned copper project. By 2013 the company believes the Reed will be producing 1,300 tonnes of ore per day. Ore will then be trucked to HudBay’s Flin Flon concentrator. Annual copper production in concentrate is expected average 17,000 tonnes over the five-year mine life. In further HudBay news, it was announced that the company has acquired 11,300,000 units of Northern Shield Resources Inc. (TSX-V: NRN). The acquisition is being made to assist with the exploration of Northern Shield’s Wabassi and Storm base metal properties in northwestern Ontario.

Diamond Mining: Lucara’s Karowe mine produces first gems Source: Canadian Mining Journal

| By: Energy & Environmental Research Center

BOTSWANA – Vancouver’s Lucara Diamond Corp. says its new Karowe mine has produced its first diamonds as plant commissioning ramps up. The company added that the quantity and grade of stones recovered during the first ore run are outstanding. Over 5,300 ct of diamonds have been recovered from ore mined from the upper benches of the North Lobe of the deposit, which has an estimated grade of greater than 32 cpht which is double the average deposit grade. Several large diamonds have also been recovered including four special stones larger than 10.8 ct. The three largest stones recovered are 25.88 ct, 16.55 ct and 14.56 ct. Lucara said commissioning will continue through April until full capacity is reached by the middle of this year. The first sale of Kawore diamonds is scheduled for June 2012. Although at press time the website LucaraDiamond.com was not responding, the company promises to post pictures of Kawore diamonds on the site.

Chamber of Mines commends Prime Minister for regulatory reform Source: NWT & Nunavut Chamber of Mines Yellowknife, NT – April 17, 2012. On behalf of the northern minerals industry, the Chamber of Mines commends the Prime Minister’s recent statements about regulatory reform in Canada. Pamela Strand, President of the NWT & Nunavut Chamber of Mines said, “We are very encouraged with the Prime Minister’s statements about regulatory reform and we are hopeful that new legislation will be Resource Industry Suppliers Association | The RISA Market Intelligence Bulletins are intended for the sole view of specific RISA member recipients and paying customers. The re-creation in whole or in part without the explicit written consent of RISA is strictly prohibited.

available soon for Nunavut with the tabling of the Nunavut Project and Planning Assessment Act, and appropriate amendments will be made to the Mackenzie Valley Resources Management Act for the Northwest Territories. We are also encouraged with the Prime Minister’s emphasis that efficiency in regulations and environmental protection go hand in hand.” In further commenting on the Prime Minister’s speech, Ms. Strand said: “We were also encouraged to read the Prime Minister’s important reminders about the challenges our industry faces, and recognition of the kind of support mining investment needs for success. This is no less important in northern Canada.” For more information on the NWT and Nunavut mining industries, please visit the website at www.miningnorth.com or contact Tom Hoefer, Executive Director at Tel: 867‐873‐5281 or email: executivedirector@miningnorth.com.

Industry News: Bio-Products & Bio-Energy

EERC demonstrates mobile gasification Source: Canadian Biomass Magazine Grand Forks, ND – The Energy & Environmental Research Center (EERC) at the University of North Dakota has successfully developed and demonstrated a mobile, trailer-mounted biomass gasification technology that converts wood waste into methanol and can be transported to remote, off-grid sites. The methanol can then be reformed into hydrogen to power fuel cells to produce electricity. “Using power generation in off-grid sites eliminates the need to build transmission lines in remote areas, which ultimately saves utility ratepayers money,” said EERC Senior Research Advisor, John Hurley. “The wood-to-fuel technology provides a renewable, nearly carbon dioxide neutral method to fuel distributed power generators.” The largely automated system uses a unique gasifier to convert the wood waste into a blended gas, which is cleaned and compressed and then passed through a gas-to-liquids reactor to convert the gas to a liquid fuel—methanol. Methanol is one of the simplest alcohol types, which even preceded ethanol for vehicle use, and is easily converted to clean hydrogen.

In Minnesota alone, forestry operations produce 300,000 tons a year of wood waste that is not used in any existing facility and could potentially be converted into 30 million gallons of methanol using this technology. At that rate, the methanol could be used to create as much as 150,000 megawatt hours (MWh) of electricity using fuel cells in remote locations. “Demonstrating this technology and using it to validate our engineering models have been important steps toward making use of neglected biomass residues to ultimately provide renewable distributed power generation,” said Hurley. “We specifically designed this system to handle wet wood waste with up to 40% moisture, saving the need to separately dry the wood before gasification, as most commercial gasifiers require.” “The ability to provide energy to remote sites, separate from where the actual biomass resource is gathered, is exactly the type of distributed energy solution the EERC is committed to providing our clients,” said EERC Director Gerald Groenewold. “The key to successful commercialization of this type of technology is ease of operation and maintenance without adding additional transportation or energy costs.” Funding for the project is provided by Xcel Energy customers through a grant from the Renewable Development Fund and the U.S. Department of Energy through the EERC’s Centers for Renewable Energy and Biomass Utilization.

No fiction in this pulp Source: Canadian Biomass Magazine | Written by: D. Degenhardt, B. Drozdowski and R. Faught Mechanical pulp sludge was once thought of as a waste product from the mechanical pulping process in the pulp and paper industry destined for incineration and landfilling, but now thanks to the 20 years of research in its utilization on both agricultural and forest soils in Alberta, mechanical pulp sludge has reinvented itself as a “super fertilizer.” This work was first initiated in 1992 under the collaboration of the Alberta Research Council (now part of Alberta Innovates – Technology Futures), Alberta Newsprint Company (ANC), Millar Western Forest Products, and Slave Lake Pulp (SLP). The goal of the research program was to provide the provincial government and industry with information on the benefits of mechanical pulp sludge application on agricultural and forest land and also some background information for adopting operational land application guidelines. Mechanical pulp sludge is a by-product of the pulping process, but also happens to be an excellent source of organic matter composed of short lignin fibers, high in carbon (45%) and containing plant nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus (total Nitrogen content ranges from 1.5 to 3.0%, while total Phosphorus

ranges from 0.3 to 0.5%). The sludge also has a neutral pH and an electrical conductivity of approximately 2.2. The first experiment conducted through the Mechanical Pulp and Paper Consortium was a landspreading field trial involving forest cut-block field locations to determine the impact of different application rates of mechanical pulp sludge on soils and trees. Subsequent trials involved sludge application on juvenile trees, seedling/sucker trials, spreading without incorporation on various slope and aspect positions, sludge application on both frozen and snow covered soils, operational spreading trials and more. Growth response of the different treatments were evaluated using several techniques including height and diameter comparison, as well as projections, survival rates and the age-shift method – which quantifies how much sooner a particular size is reached due to treatment effect, and growth multipliers – which represent the treatment effect as the ratio of treated to untreated. The results from these long-term experiments indicate that sludge application in the forest had an overwhelmingly positive effect on tree volume (Figure 1), with the largest projected gain in stemwood volume on balsam poplar and aspen species at age 25. The greatest benefit comes from applying sludge in marginal soils to stimulate tree growth, and juvenile trees are the best candidates for sludge application as they are able to achieve more volume production than seedlings (Figure 2). Sludge application rate will vary depending on the properties of the sludge and characteristics of the site and the receiving soil, but results suggest that the sludge application rate should be at 50 tonne of dry sludge/ha or less to reduce herbaceous competition. Generally, there was a slight increase in EC, SAR, nitrate, nitrite and metal (Cu, Ni, and Zn) concentrations initially after sludge application, but it has no effect on soil suitability ratings and is not long lasting. The value of pulp sludge will continue to grow as the industry looks for other potential uses for what was once thought of as “waste” product. For more information on mechanical pulp sludge research please go to www.SmartSludge.com.

Shell, Iogen scrap plans for biofuel plant in Manitoba Cancelling project means loss of 150 jobs Source: Edmonton Journal | By: Jeffrey Jones and Rod Nickel, Reuters

Royal Dutch Shell PLC and Iogen Corp have scrapped plans for a commercial-scale biofuel plant in Manitoba, spelling the loss of 150 jobs and raising questions about widespread and near-term use of fuel made from agricultural waste in Canada. The Iogen Energy joint venture had been studying building a plant to make ethanol from straw and other plant waste, rather than from food crops such as corn and sugar. One location discussed was Portage la Prairie, west of Winnipeg, Manitoba.

The proposal had been in planning stages and a spokesman for Shell could not provide an estimated cost. Shell first invested in Iogen 10 years ago and the partners have operated a demonstration plant in the Ottawa area since 2004. “We do continue to have a relationship with them and continue to retain the licensing rights to the technology developed,” Shell spokesman David Williams said on Monday. “It’s like a lot of things with R&D, you build demonstration plants, you get that far, and you learn from them, and this has been an important source of knowledge.” Iogen will still employ 110 people at its Ottawa headquarters and plans to expand new technology for production of the biofuels made from cellulose, the partners said. Cellulosic ethanol is made from the non-food portion of crops. Ethanol production from food grains, especially corn, has generated debate about the ethics of diverting food for use in fuel and has been a key reason U.S. corn stocks are projected to fall to a 16-year low this summer. Chicago corn futures prices Cc1 hit a record peak last summer and remain historically high. The Canadian and provincial governments spend about C$250 million ($253 million) annually, according to the agriculture think-tank George Morris Centre, to subsidize production by companies such as Husky Energy Inc and Suncor Energy Inc. One aim is to cut greenhouse gas emissions from conventional fuel. Ottawa wants gasoline across the country to contain an average of 5 per cent ethanol, creating demand for 2 billion litres, but current production falls short of that level. The decision by Shell and Iogen doesn’t threaten the future Canadian biofuels production, said Scott Thurlow, president of the Canadian Renewable Fuels Association. “It’s just like any other fuel, it takes time to build up the necessary capital to implement,” he said. “While I am personally disappointed, I don’t see this decision as a threat to the industry in general.” Thurlow said there are demonstration projects in Canada for cellulosic ethanol, but no commercial production to his knowledge. For is part, Shell is a partner with other ethanol producers, including Brazil’s Cosan CSAN3.SA and a U.S. company called Virent, which has developed technology to convert plant sugars into hydrocarbon molecules.

Announcements: RISA News & Events Upcoming RISA Luncheon/Breakfast Events: May 17th, 2012 Cenovus Energy Inc. Speaker: Mr. Drew Zieglgansberger Senior VP of Regulatory, Local Community & Military

Cenovus Energy Inc. is a Canadian integrated oil company. It is committed to applying fresh, progressive thinking to safely and responsibly unlock energy resources the world needs. Operations include oil sands projects in northern Alberta, which use specialized methods to drill and pump the oil to the surface, and established natural gas and oil production in Alberta and Saskatchewan. The company also has 50% ownership in two U.S. refineries. Cenovus shares trade under the symbol CVE, and are listed on the Toronto and New York stock exchanges. Its enterprise value is approximately $33 billion.

DATE: May 17th, 2012 PLACE: Calgary Petroleum Club, Calgary 319 5th Ave S/W., Calgary, Alberta TIME: 6:45 am â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 7:30 am Registration and Breakfast 7:30 am â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 8:30 am Presentation Q & A PRICE: $65.00 for RISA Members $95.00 for Non-RISA Members $230.00 for Sponsorship (includes 1 registration plus recognition throughout the event and display space) For additional information and Registration: Website: www.resourcesuppliers.com Resource Industry Suppliers Association (RISA) Phone: (780) 489-5900 Email: risa@resourcesuppliers.com Refunds will be provided only upon notice given to RISA prior to May 11th, 2012. Please note: Priority will be given to RISA Members. Pre-registration only. No walk-ins will be accepted.

May 24th, 2012 Cenovus Energy Inc. Speaker: Al Reid Senior VP, Christina Lake Cenovus Energy Inc. is a Canadian integrated oil company. It is committed to applying fresh, progressive thinking to safely and responsibly unlock energy resources the world needs. Operations include oil sands projects in northern Alberta, which use specialized methods to drill and pump the oil to the surface, and established natural gas and oil production in Alberta and Saskatchewan. The company also has 50% ownership in two U.S. refineries. Cenovus shares trade under the symbol CVE, and are listed on the Toronto and New York stock exchanges. Its enterprise value is approximately $33 billion.

DATE: May 24th, 2012 PLACE: Edmonton’s Chateau Louis Hotel & Conference Centre (11727 Kingsway Avenue, Edmonton, Alberta) TIME: 11:15 am – 12:00 pm Registration, Cocktails and Networking 12:00 pm – 1:15 pm Lunch and Presentation

PRICE: $65.00 for RISA Members $95.00 for Non-RISA Members $230.00 for Sponsorship (includes 1 registration plus recognition throughout the event and display space)

For additional information and Registration: Website: www.resourcesuppliers.com Resource Industry Suppliers Association (RISA) Phone: (780) 489-5900 Email: risa@resourcesuppliers.com Please note: Priority will be given to RISA Members. Pre-registration only. No walk-ins will be accepted.

Annual Golf Classic 2012

20th Anniversary of the Annual Golf Classic Friday, June 8th, 2012 Sturgeon Valley Golf & Country Club 7:00AM : Registration & Breakfast 8:00AM : Shotgun Start (Texas Scramble) 2:30PM : Cocktails 3:30PM : Awards & Prize BBQ

The Resource Industry Golf Classic Committee, RISA, and our industry partners are pleased to invite you and your guest(s) to the 20th Annual Resource Industry Golf Classic. The tournament is an ideal event to bring a client or potential customer or simply meet with colleagues and other senior industry manager and officials. Your participation not only helps raise the profile of the Energy, Oil & Gas, Power, Construction and Forest industry, but it has helped us raise almost $100,000 for Charities and our three Endowment Funds (UofA, NAIT & WOLF). To date, 17 student awards have been issued. If you would like to be a part of this event, as a player (waitlist now applies) and/or sponsor, please visit our website (www.resourcesuppliers.com) for more information and registration. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office. Thank you for your support. We hope to see you all on the green!

RISA News: As a member based not-for-profit association, we are always open to exploring new ways of reaching our members and letting everyone know about whom we are and what we can provide. We have made some significant updates to our website (www.resourcesuppliers.com), and have recently begun to explore the world of social networking as a means of staying connected with our members and keeping them up to date with upcoming events and opportunities. RISA can now be found on both Linkedin and Twitter, so if you haven’t had a chance, come check us out, follow us and join our networks!

Linkedin: In case you didn’t know, you can find RISA on Linkedin. Join our network and find out what is happening with us and keep up-to-date on upcoming events. Twitter: RISA has recently expanded our social networking to include Twitter. Follow risa_allan for live updates during RISA events and for the most up-to-date information about what we’re up to. RISA Website: The new and improved RISA website is packed full of useful information and materials. Whether you’re looking for the next upcoming event, the latest market intelligence, the latest Canadian Resource Business Directory or contact information for any company listed in our database, the RISA website is your reference guide for whatever you are looking for.

Have a company event or announcement that you would like to have posted in the RISA Market Intelligence? For more information, contact Niki Lorenz at niki@resourcesuppliers.com or give our office a call at (780) 489-5900.

Event Opportunities: Energy Canadian Heavy Oil Association Technical Lunch: Environment | OSLI Water Technology Development Centre (WTDC) Tuesday, May 8 11:45AM-1:00PM Calgary Chamber of Commerce (106 – 6th Ave. SW)

Speaker: Basil Perdicakis is the Director, Environment and Facilities in the Heavy Oil Technology Center at Statoil Canada Limited. The OSLI companies (Suncor, Statoil, ConocoPhillips, Nexen and Total) have been developing a project to construct a Water Technology Development Centre (WTDC) at a commercial SAGD facility where new processing technologies can be pilot-tested on live process fluids. The project has proceeded to the point where a site location for the WTDC has been secured, priority technologies have been identified for testing, a Design Basis document has been prepared, and a commercial participation agreement is nearing completion. Work is proceeding towards completing an Engineering Design Specification package and agreement by mid-year to permit the companies to make a project sanctioning decision in 2012. The presentation provides an overview of the project, including:  WTDC Background: need, vision, goals  The Concept: location, scope, scale  Technology Priorities: 5 year test plan  Business Case: economic justification and cost estimate  Business Model: key principles of agreement  Execution Plan: project schedule

For more information & Registration: Website: http://www.choa.ab.ca/index.php/ci_id/2405/la_id/1/event_id/7708

Canadian Heavy Oil Association 400, 500 - 5 Avenue SW, Calgary, Alberta T2P 3L5 Phone: (403) 269-1755 | Fax: (403) 453-0179

Energy Visions Business Forum 2012 Thursday, May 24, 2012 Fairmont Hotel MacDonald, Edmonton, Alberta (Empire Ballroom)

Canada’s oil and gas reserves are amongst the world’s largest and most strategically important. The country’s success at attracting global capital, particularly from Asia, combined with game-changing technological advances, has led to the development of these resources at a speed and on a scale not thought possible even five years ago. As industry expands production, and as challenges around takeaway and refining capacity increase, many are looking to government for a strategy to develop existing markets and to access new ones, particularly in Asia and the U.S. However, unlocking new markets presents an enormous array of policy challenges, only now beginning to be properly understood. Please join PwC as our guest for the 3rd annual Energy Visions Executive Business Forum on Wednesday, May 23, 2012, in Calgary. You will hear from globally respected policy analysts and industry leaders as they discuss the issues and challenges around one of the most significant policy debates of our time – the opening of new markets for Canadian oil and gas.

Featured speakers and panelists include: Reynold Tetzlaff (National Energy Leader, PwC), Robert Johnson (Director, Global Energy & Natural Resources – Eurasia Group, Stephen Wuori (President, Liquids Pipelines – Enbridge Inc.), David Goldwyn (President – Goldwyn Global Strategies, LLC), and Erica Downs (Fellow, Foreign Policy, John L. Thornton China Center – Brookings Institute).

For more information & Registration: Registration: www.pwc.com/ca/edmenergyupdate2012 Space is limited. Register early to guarantee your space. Invitations are non-transferable.

2012 Global Petroleum Show Dates: Tuesday, June 12, 2012 10:00AM-6:00PM Wednesday, June 13, 2012 10:00AM-6:00PM Thursday, June 13, 2012 10:00AM-5:00PM Stampede Park, 20 Roundup Way SE, Calgary, Alberta

It’s Back. It’s Bigger. It’s Business-Ready

Global Petroleum Show (GPS), one of the world’s largest oil and gas events, is the meeting place for the global energy industry. GPS will host 2,000 exhibiting companies from around the world, including over 300 new exhibitors, of which 110 are international companies showcasing today’s innovative technologies, products and services for the oil and gas industry. In 2012, SPE has partnered with Global Petroleum Show to bring your SPE Heavy Oil Conference Canada – a conference that will provide international perspectives on best practices and technological advances in the exploration and production of heavy oil, as well as the opportunities and challenges faced in the process. When you register to attend the Conference through SPE Canada, you have the opportunity to attend Global Petroleum Show with your Conference name badge

For more information & Registration: Society of Petroleum Engineers Eau Claire Place II Suite 900, 521 – 3rd Ave., S.W. Calgary, Alberta, T2P 3T3 Tel: (403) 930-5454 Fax: (403) 930-5470 Registration: registration@spe.org General Meeting Information: mheywood@spe.org

National Buyer/Seller Forum October 2nd – 4th, 2012 Edmonton, Alberta

The National Buyer / Seller Forum has announced new dates for its annual Forum in Edmonton. The event is being moved to the fall timeframe and their new dates will be October 2nd to 4th, 2012 in Edmonton. After 11 years of delivering Canada’s premier forum that connects Canadian Oilsands buyers and sellers, they’re making some exciting changes to ensure they can deliver an exceptional Oilsands business-building experience. The event will continue to be a truly national forum that brings together Oilsands executives and supply chain leaders, with Canada’s leading suppliers to continue strengthening the Oilsands supply chain as they head into another unprecedented construction boom in 2012. For now, mark your calendars to attend on October 2nd to 4th, 2012 and then watch your email or their website (www.nationalbuyersellerforum.ca) for further updates in the coming weeks.

For more information: www.nationalbuyersellerforum.ca National Buyer Seller Forum #367, 9768 – 170th Street, NW Edmonton, Alberta, T5T 5L4

Event Opportunities: Mining RockEng12 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 21st Canadian Rock Mechanics Symposium (In conjunction with the CIM Conference & Exhibition 2012) May 5th â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 9th, 2012 Westin Edmonton Hotel, Edmonton, Alberta

The theme of this symposium, Rock Engineering from Natural Resources, will offer a better understanding of the rock mechanics-related challenges encountered during the development of mineral deposits, hydrocarbons, and alternative energy sources.

For more information:

Lise Bujold, CMM Director, Conferences and Exhibitions Tel: (514) 939-2710, Ext. 1308 Fax : (514) 939-2714 E-mail : lbujold@cim.org

Martin Bell Exhibition Sales Manager Tel: (514) 939-2710 Ext. 1311 Fax : (514) 939-2714 E-mail : mbell@cim.org

Chantal Murphy Meetings Coordinator Tel: (514) 939-2710 Ext. 1309 Fax : (514) 939-2714 E-mail : cmurphy@cim.org

http ://www.cim.org/edmonton2012/attachments/pdf/RockEng12Sponsorship.pdf

CIM Conference & Exhibition: Edmonton 2012 Sunday, May 6th – Wednesday, May 9th, 2012 Edmonton’s Shaw Conference Centre

After our hugely successful event last May in Montreal, CIM is looking forward to our next CIM Conference & Exhibition, coming to Edmonton in May 2012. This signature event of the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum promises to be the mining affair of the year. Located right in the hub of the booming Albertan industry, CIM Edmonton 2012 will build on the successes of previous conferences. A steady growth in numbers of delegates, exhibitors, and total conference energy continues to attract the most relevant speakers and interesting presentations as we come together to focus on operational excellence across all facets of mining. The CIM Exhibition continues to sell-out well in advance, because it is a foremost opportunity to make the connections necessary to drive design, purchasing and operational decisions. It’s a must-attend show for every major player in the mining sector. If you’re in Edmonton early, please join us at the M4S public educational and interactive show on mining, minerals, metals and materials. Everyone is welcome to explore the pavilions and learn a little more about the life cycle of mining and its role in our everyday lives. Please join us for CIM Edmonton 2012 – it is where the business of mining is happening!

For More Information & Registration: Website: http://www.cim.org/edmonton2012 CIM Meetings Department 3500 de Maisonneuve Blvd. West, Suite 1250, Montreal, Quebec H3Z 31 Fax: (514) 939-2714; Toll free: 1-800-667-1246 (North America only); Email: registration@cim.org

Changes and cancellations must be requested in writing by email before April 23 to: registration@cim.org. For more details on activities, up-to-date technical program, and to make your hotel reservation, visit www.cim.org/edmonton2012

The Coal Association of Canada 2012 National Conference Theme: “Canadian Coal Industry – Growing to Meet Demand” Sunday, June 3, 2012 – Tuesday, June 5, 2012 Hyatt Regency, Vancouver Overview: In late 2011, the world’s population passed 7 billion people. With each passing day that number climbs even higher, and so does the world’s need for energy and resources. The coal industry in Canada is meeting this challenge head-on, re-defining what is possible from one of our oldest and most reliable energy sources — coal. Building on the success of last year’s conference, which attracted over 350 delegates from 14 countries, the 2012 conference program is already attracting considerable interest. The conference will not only provide valuable content, but you will have the opportunity to meet representatives from the full Canadian coal chain through numerous networking opportunities. Session presenters will discuss Canada’s coal industry and its positioning in the marketplace for both metallurgical and thermal coal. Some of the session topics include:  

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Canadian Coal and Global Markets: The latest assessments by independent analysts on the global and domestic market supply and demand outlook and capital markets. Canadian Thermal Coal: Participate in discussions with Canadian power producers and coal companies about new Canadian government environmental regulations affecting coal-fired electricity generation and also plans for increased exporting of Canadian thermal coal. Doing Business in Asia: Learn from Asian representatives what it takes to do business overseas. International Business and the Canadian Connection: International mining companies discuss the strategic advantage of Canadian coal and how it aligns with their global mining plans. Coal Association of Canada’s Annual General Meeting.

Who Should Attend: This conference will be of interest to representatives from coal mining companies and the consumer service and supply sectors interacting with them, namely industrial coal consumers, transportation chain (railways, ports, terminals), equipment and goods suppliers, consultants, financial community, and governments (municipal, provincial and federal).

For More Information & Registration: If you have any questions, please contact Linda Kool, Director of Member Services by phone at (403) 262-1544, toll free 1-800-910-2625 or by email at kool@coal.ca Website: http://www.cvent.com/events/2012-coal-association-of-canada-nationalconference/event-summary-383fd6823e8a434a8b32cdaf3db3f5f0.aspx Resource Industry Suppliers Association | The RISA Market Intelligence Bulletins are intended for the sole view of specific RISA member recipients and paying customers. The re-creation in whole or in part without the explicit written consent of RISA is strictly prohibited.

MassMin 2012 6th International Conference & Exhibition on Mass Mining Conference: Monday, June 11, 2012 – Thursday, June 14, 2012 Exhibition: Monday, June 11, 2012 – Tuesday, June 12, 2012 Location: Fraser Building at the Laurentian University in Sudbury, Ontario, Canada.

The theme of MassMin 2012 is “Advancing the State-of-the-Art in Mass Mining”. MassMin 2012 will bring together researchers, engineers and practitioners to present the latest accomplishments, innovations and potential future directions in mass mining and its applications around the world. The history of the MassMin Conference is as follows. The first Massmin was convened in Denver, USA (1982), and subsequently in Johannesburg, South Africa(1992), in Brisbane, Australia(2000), in Santiago, Chile(2004), in Lulea, Sweden(2008) and now in Sudbury, Ontario Canada (2012). The objective of MassMin is to facilitate close dialogue among experts on issues relating to research, technological development and the application of Mass Mining around the world. This conference promotes strong interactions between academic and industry in all the aspects of the technology. For More Information & Registration: Website: http://www.cim.org/massmin2012/ ORGANIZING COMMITTEE Dr. Greg Baiden (Conference Chair) Dr. Yassiah Bissiri (Conference Chair) CEO – Penguin Automated Systems ; Senior Operation Research Specialist, Professor – School of Engineering, Laurentian Simulation & Mathematical Modeling University Penguin Automated Systems Phone: +1 (705) 692-8748 Phone: +1 (705) 692-8748 Email: gbaiden@penguinasi.com Email: ybissiri@penguinasi.com Web: www.penguinasi.com Web: www.penguinasi.com MassMin 2012 c/o Penguin ASI 1755 Regional Road 55, Naughton, Ontario, Canada P0M 2M0 info@massmin2012.com www.massmin2012.com Resource Industry Suppliers Association | The RISA Market Intelligence Bulletins are intended for the sole view of specific RISA member recipients and paying customers. The re-creation in whole or in part without the explicit written consent of RISA is strictly prohibited.

Event Opportunities: Bio-Products & Bio-Energy CanBio Technology Mission to Denmark and/or Sweden Denmark: May 23rd, 2012 – May 25th, 2012 Sweden: May 28th, 2012 – June 1st, 2012

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Denmark:  Half-day information sessions with Danish District Heating Board 2.5 day tour of bioenergy sites: biomass district heating of all sizes, heat & power, wood and straw feedstocks  2 nights in Copenhagen, 1 night is Jutland  Possible Malmo (Sweden) add-on Estimated Total Cost: $3,680 ($2,250 with grant)

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Sweden:  Choice of 5 pre-conference tours to Jönköping  3 days at World Bioenergy 2012 Streams for energy systems, biorefineries, pellets, markets, etc.  Daily bioenergy study visits and B2B events  Choice of 3 post-conference tours to Stockholm Estimated Costs:  Full Conference: $5,790 ($3,100 with grant)  Exhibition/tours/B2B: $4,500 ($2,700 with grant)

For More Information & Registration: For more information, please contact Noam Sugarman at info@canbio.ca or call (705) 472-2280 For online registration, please visit: http://www.canbio.ca/article/online-event-registration-333.asp

CI Energy Group’s 15th Annual BC Natural Gas Symposium Tuesday, June 5, 2012 – Wednesday, June 6, 2012 Four Seasons Hotel, Vancouver, BC

There has never been a more opportune time for the natural gas industry in British Columbia! Land sales in the province continue to soar, activity is at an all-time high and the government has ongoing incentive programs promoting further gas industry development. You cannot afford to miss out on the key window of opportunity to take advantage of all that BC’s natural gas sector has to offer! CI Energy Group’s 15th Annual BC Natural Gas Symposium, the most established and comprehensive event of its kind, will equip you with the critical tools you need to claim your stake in this booming market. Attend this two-day information-packed event and walk away with an understanding of:   

The current and forecasted prospects for exploration and production activities, gas markets and supply and demand What makes BC’s LNG exports competitive in the eyes of international importers How abundant gas supplies will get to market – get the latest on key infrastructure developments in pipelines and processing, LNG export facilities, community infrastructure, and more

This conference will feature candid discussions, case studies and panels, with top experts and key industry players, preparing you to overcome these challenges while increasing efficiency in your day to day work:  Learn how to ensure you are complying with evolving water usage, reporting and fraccing regulations while keeping production costs at bay  Understand why effective external communications strategies are such a crucial component of overcoming the negative impacts of stakeholder misconceptions  Hear up-to-the minute information on steps being taken by the power sector to ensure the gas industry’s electric requirements are being met  Devise strategies to effectively collaborate with First Nations communities to improve working relationships and streamline project development and execution For more information contact: Register today by calling 1-877-927-7936 Or online at: http://www.canadianinstitute.com/BCNG

International Bioenergy Conference & Exhibition

June 13th – 15th, 2012 Prince George Civic Centre 808 Civic Plaza Prince George, B.C.

Explore innovation, discover emerging ideas, learn from experience and do business in the wood-based bio-energy capital of Canada. The International Bio-Energy Conference and Exhibition is Canada’s longest-running conference devoted to the global bio-energy sector. We provide opportunities for bio-energy experts, existing organizations and new entrants to come together to explore leading-edge concepts and current applications in the bio-energy sector globally. Launched in 2004, the International Bioenergy Conference and Exhibition is Canada’s premiere bioenergy education and new technology gathering held every second year in Prince George, British Columbia. The board of the International Bioenergy Conference and Exhibition has named Canadian Biomass magazine as the exclusive media partner for the 5th biennial event. The event is quickly becoming Canada’s premiere biomass and bioenergy educational event

For more information contact: Event Manager: Cam McAlpine Phone: (250) 961-8611 Website: www.bioenergyconference.org

Look to Canadian Biomass Magazine, www.canadianbiomassmagazine.ca, Canadian Biomass’ weekly enews, and the Twitter feeds @canadianbiomass and @BioenergyConf for a steady stream of news on the event

Public Notice: Site C Clean Energy Project Public Comment Period & Open House Sessions Source: Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency The Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency (the Agency) and the British Columbia Environmental Assessment Office (EAO) announced today that the draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) Guidelines for the proposed Site C Clean Energy Project are being issued for public comment. The public is also invited to attend Open House Sessions to be held in the project area in May 2012.

For more information and a list of Public Open House sessions, please visit: http://www.ceaa-acee.gc.ca/050/document-eng.cfm?document=55114

Event Opportunities: Forestry 25th Annual PricewaterhouseCoopers Global Forest and Paper Industry Conference Thursday, May 10, 2012 Hyatt Regency Hotel, Vancouver, BC Join CEOs, senior forest and paper executives, industry analysts, customers and government policy makers from around the world as they discuss how companies are capitalizing on new business opportunities and adjusting their business strategy to deal with a tumultuous economic climate. This oneday conference will once again include a panel of CEOs from the world's leading forest products companies. This conference is part of the week-long Global Forest Products Leadership Summit 2012, a five day series of events and conferences focused on global pulp, paper, wood products and fibre-based packaging industries. Confirmed events include the Pulp and Paper Products Council Annual Conference and the International Wood Markets Group Industry/Market Conference. To view these and other confirmed events visit www.forestproductssummit.com. Registration Fees (12% HST applicable to all registrations) CAN $450.00 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Early Bird Registration (on or before April 13, 2012) Resource Industry Suppliers Association | The RISA Market Intelligence Bulletins are intended for the sole view of specific RISA member recipients and paying customers. The re-creation in whole or in part without the explicit written consent of RISA is strictly prohibited.

CAN $550.00 – Regular Registration (after April 13, 2012) For group registrations, please call +1 604 806 7090 or send an email to pwcforestandpaper@ca.pwc.com. 7:00am — 8:00am Registration & networking breakfast 8:00am — 5:00pm Conference (with luncheon) 5:00pm — 7:00pm Networking reception Host Hotel : This event will be held at the Hyatt Regency Hotel. Please make your reservations directly with the hotel For more information contact: Dianna C. Cafariello +1 604 806 7090 For registration: https://secure.ca.pwc.com/85256EF3004DD842/frmForestCon?ReadForm

Event Opportunities: Other Tax and Risk Management for companies with international sales Friday, May 11, 2012 Executive Royal Inn, Leduc, Alberta

To mitigate tax and risk while operating or expanding outside of Canada, you need professional advice from leading advisors who specialize in international corporate structuring. Join five leading professionals as they share with you an overview of how, why and where Canadian companies should structure their international operations. You will gain insight into: 1. Why more than 2,500 Canadian companies use Barbados for their international operations 2. Uses and benefits of Barbados as compared to other jurisdictions 3. Strategies on maintaining and managing international subsidiaries Resource Industry Suppliers Association | The RISA Market Intelligence Bulletins are intended for the sole view of specific RISA member recipients and paying customers. The re-creation in whole or in part without the explicit written consent of RISA is strictly prohibited.

4. International dispute resolution techniques Professionals will be available to answer your questions and for private discussions following the presentation Agenda: 7:00AM : Registration and Breakfast 7:30Am-9:30AM : Presentation For more information: For more information and online registration visit: http://internationalregion.com/ Leduc-Nisku Economic Development Authority 5911-50 Street Leduc, AB, Canada T9E 6S7 Phone: (780) 986-9538 Fax: (780) 986-1121 eda@leducniskueda.com

New RISA Members We would like to welcome the following new RISA members to our association: ALS Environmental 9936-67 Avenue, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, T6E 0P5 Phone: (780) 413-5227 Fax: (780) 437-2311 Toll Free: 1-800-668-9878 Email: alsedinfo@alsglobal.com Website: www.alsglobal.com Laboratory Manager - Sean Johnston Technical Sales - Jennifer Foreman Client Services Manager - Geraldyn Gouthro Senior Account Manager - Maureen Olinek Senior Account Manager - Shannon Luchka Profile ALS Environmental, a division of ALS Laboratory group, has operated in Alberta since 1982, providing analytical laboratory services for industry. With 5 labs in Alberta and over 300 worldwide. ALS provides full analytical services and expertise. Resource Industry Suppliers Association | The RISA Market Intelligence Bulletins are intended for the sole view of specific RISA member recipients and paying customers. The re-creation in whole or in part without the explicit written consent of RISA is strictly prohibited.

ALS Environmental Bay 7, 1313-44 Avenue NE, Calgary, Alberta, Canada, T2E 6L5 Phone: (403) 291-9897 Fax: (403) 291-0298 Toll Free: 1-800-667-7645 Website: www.alsglobal.com Business Development Manager, Western Canada - Kristie Lee Laboratory General Manager - Stephanie Hoeppner Technical Sales Representative - Cari-Lee Carnell Senior Account Manager - John Forbes

Edgen Murray Corporation 8440 Roper Road, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, T6E 6W4 Phone: (780) 440-1475 Toll Free: 1 (800) 233-9969 Website: www.edgenmurray.com Director, Unconventional Oil - Jim Schepens Edgen Murray Corporation 2900, 350-7th Avenue SW, Calgary, Alberta, Canada, T2P 3N9 Phone: (403) 700-5187 Website: www.edgenmurray.com Market Manager, Unconventional Oil - Kevin Hoestra Business Development - Glen Mryglod Profile Edgen Murray's product offerings cater to difficult high pressure and high temperature applications, using a diverse range of premium grades and brands. Our strategic relationships with global vendors complement our ability to provide a complete package of materials required for the most complex and demanding environments in the energy sector. We have extensive inventories of high strength plate, structural sections, X-grade, seamless and welded pipe in carbon, chrome moly and low-temp materials in addition to complementary fittings, flanges, valves and valve actuation. Hammerstone Corporation 2681 Hochwald Court SW, Calgary, Alberta, Canada, T3E 7M3 Phone: (403) 297-1680 Fax: (403) 355-2224 Email: info@hammerstonecorp.com Website: www.hammerstonecorp.com VP, Sales & Marketing - Kelly Babichuk Profile Hammerstone Corporation is the owner and operator of a limestone quarry located in the heart of the mineable oil sands area of Athabasca, 60km north of Fort McMurray. Hammerstone Corporation Fort McMurray, Alberta, Canada, Resource Industry Suppliers Association | The RISA Market Intelligence Bulletins are intended for the sole view of specific RISA member recipients and paying customers. The re-creation in whole or in part without the explicit written consent of RISA is strictly prohibited.

Phone: (780) 838-5633 Email: vincemartinello@hammerstonecorp.com Sales Manager - Vince Martinellow MNP LLP Suite 400, 10104-103 Avenue NW, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, T5J 0H8 Phone: (780) 733-8623 Fax: (780) 454-1908 Website: www.mnp.ca Audit Partner, Public and Private Companies - Kevin George Productivity Alberta 10110-104 Street, Suite 301, Cecil Place , Edmonton , Alberta, Canada, T5J 4R5 Phone: (780) 644-3328 Email: info@productivityalberta.ca Website: www.productivityalberta.ca CEO - Lori Schmidt Profile Productivity Alberta is your one-stop connection to the latest productivity improvement tools and services. In-person, online, over the phone - we connect you to assessments and information relevant to your industry. Proline X-cavating Ltd. 153 Trinity Blvd. , Lac La Biche, Alberta, Canada, T0A 2C1 Phone: (780) 212-3529 Email: prolinex-cavating@hotmail.com Owner - Curtis Kaufman Profile Proline X-cavating Ltd. provides excavating, snow removal and tractor services with our core business being mulching services. Evolving with customer needs since 2005., we have maintained job and environmental safety first! SRS Industrial 2333 - 91 Avenue, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, T6P 1L1 Phone: (780) 467-1882 Fax: (780) 449-1377 Website: www.srsindustrial.ca Business Development Manager - Rick Dudak Vice President, Finance - Gary Rasposo Profile SRS Industrial is a heavy industrial general mechanical contractor with a 5 acre Fabrication Shop; 14 acre Module yard; COR Certified; ISO 9001-2008 compliant; founded in 2002 in Edmonton. UBS (Universal Business Services) 4243 - 74 Street, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, T6K 0W1 Phone: (780) 760-1201 President - Rick McCosh Resource Industry Suppliers Association | The RISA Market Intelligence Bulletins are intended for the sole view of specific RISA member recipients and paying customers. The re-creation in whole or in part without the explicit written consent of RISA is strictly prohibited.