Everyone is getting their ducks in a row for the ROF development.

I'd love to attend and get my hands on some of that C-4 to put under the traders' chair at Stonecap and a few at Jitney.........that would be a blast.

Drill & Blast Canada Conference to Bring Together Mining Operators and Blasting Specialists From Across Canada and USA to Discuss the Biggest Challenges Faced by the Industry

LONDON, April 18, Apr 18, 2011 (PR Newswire Europe via COMTEX News Network) -- With the mining boom ahead and announcements of openings of new mining sites in Canada, its now more important than ever that all phases of mining production are executed successfully.

The rising price of minerals and exploration is causing a growing need for drill and blast activities and optimisation. We will see mining in sites that were previously viewed as economically unjust.

Mining IQ will host the Drill & Blast Canada Conference from 7-8 June, 2011 at the Fairmont Palliser in Calgary. This conference will target senior Drill & Blast professionals from Mining Operators, Drilling Contractors and Explosive Providers.

The Drill & Blast conference will provide an understanding of how to implement innovative techniques that deliver the best fragmentation. Additionally, speakers will address practical methods in Drill & Blast improvement both through technical strategy and practical studies on Drill & Blast operations on site.

The event will showcase exclusive case studies led by Drill & Blast experts including:

- Mick Lownds, Electronic Blasting Systems at ORICA

- Takis Katsabanis, Associate Professor in Mining Engineering at QUEENS UNIVERSITY

- Frank Chiappetta, President & Explosives Applications, Engineer at BAI

- Ed Desjardins, VP Technical at ANGLO GOLD ASHANTI

The Drill & Blast media centre features an exclusive interview with Jan Klare, the Superintendant Mine Development at Lundin Mining Zinkgruvan, where he provides insights into keeping production rates high without compromising safety, ensuring the health & safety of miners on-site through emerging technologies and the high profile rescue mission of the Chilean miners. Jan also talks about his session on 'Dilution Control in Panel Stopping' at Drill & Blast Europe 2011 and the use of electronic detonators.

http://www.drill-blast.com

Notes to Editors:

Drill & Blast Canada will be held on the 7th-8th June at the Fairmont Palliser, Calgary, AB, Canada.

For further information on Drill & Blast Canada, contact Valeria David on +44(0)207-368-9300 or email enquire@iqpc.co.uk

About IQPC

Mining IQ, a division of IQPC provide a range of carefully focused conferences that examine a specific technology or issue from an international perspective. Each conference is designed to give organisations the technical and strategic know-how to gain a competitive advantage in the mining market. The speakers are carefully selected to evaluate key trends and to provide real world case study analysis and solutions.