FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Canadian Institute of Mining Metallurgy and Petroleum (CIM) admonishes recent attack at a CIM luncheon in Vancouver, Montreal, May 25, 2012

The Canadian Institute of Mining Metallurgy and Petroleum (CIM) expressed grave concern and indignation following an incident in which six individuals hurled an unknown fetid substance into a room at a Vancouver hotel in which CIM was hosting a luncheon.

There is a police investigation underway and CIM is hoping that the culprits will be apprehended and held accountable for their deeds. Although it now appears that the substance thrown around the room was feces mixed with liquid, at the time of the incident, people in the room had no idea what was contained in the foul sludge that covered some of their clothes, made many of them nauseous and led to an evacuation of the hotel.

“Such an unlawful, cowardly and potentially dangerous act goes against the fundamental values of the democracy in which we live, and should not be tolerated in any sector of activity or area of civil society,” said executive director of CIM, Jean Vavrek. “CIM is a proud Canadian-based technical association of professionals in the mining and minerals industry that contributes to society by promoting visionary practices that embody the principles of safety, responsible mining and sustainable development. CIM meetings, such as the one in Vancouver, serve as vital platforms for the exchange of ideas and expertise and the promotion of best practices that are integral to the advancements being made in the promotion of sustainable mining.”

About CIM The Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum (CIM) is the leading professional association for the minerals industry with over 13,000 members across Canada and globally. CIM is dedicated to the advancement of knowledge and technology as well as the facilitation of networking, fraternity and professional development for the mining industry.