Image Credit: PDAC, GlobeNewswire
March Madness usually brings to mind thrilling college basketball or the rush to complete (or start and finish) projects before the government fiscal year-end. For many March and the gathering of 25,000 delegates at the annual Prospector and Developers Association of Canada (PDAC) Convention ‘madness’ took on a new meaning. Everyone at PDAC 2025 found themselves navigating the rapidly shifting geopolitical landscape with tariffs being imposed, paused, and reimposed, impacting North America’s resources, supply chains, and market stability.
Our Industry is inherently international, with expertise and investment across global borders, and for Canada, minerals and metals are at the core of our prosperity as a country. While thousands attended and trekked countless times between the MTCC North and South and up and down Bay Street, we are a small, connected, collaborative sector. This collaboration has advanced the sector and projects significantly for decades. The Trump administration’s tariffs have added complexity to an already challenging environment, straining supply chains and heightening the need for strategic navigation.
At PDAC 2025, conversations were dominated by these shifts. Industry leaders discussed the challenges and frustrations, as often as they spoke to the opportunities presented by the evolving market landscape. Depending on the commodity and which side of the border you are on, the impacts vary. However, the consensus was clear: projects start in the ground with the resources and the communities they operate in – and we need them.
Here’s the plan during chaos. Stay calm, hold the course, and communicate often with those who are most connected and impacted, from community to shareholder. Great projects require time and tenacity to bring to market. And this we are familiar with – we navigate uncertainty and make discoveries – from the first moment the prospector walks the wilderness, the geologist maps the drill program, the elders share traditional knowledge, and the CEO connects with a strategic shareholder. Eventually, we see the whole picture. Despite the current market shifts, the fundamental need for resources remains unchanged. These resources are crucial for our technologically advanced and connected world.
My Take-Away: As we navigate these turbulent times, the focus remains on our long-term goals – to explore, discover and bring to market, responsibly and economically. The discussions at PDAC 2025 highlighted the resilience and adaptability of our industry. The upside today – Canadians everywhere are talking about our resources, critical metals and minerals—from the grocery store to the coffee shop to the hockey rink. It’s a national awakening, a connectedness to critical minerals.
