CIM Edmonton - The Future of Mining - Jan 21, 2026

Join us for dinner and networking while we discuss the Future of Mining, featuring Lawrence Smith.

Lawrence Smith is Principal Consultant at LDSA. He is a mining engineer with over 40 years' experience in economic evaluations and project engineering for mining, metallurgical, and industrial projects. He holds a B.A.Sc. from the University of Toronto and an M.Eng. Mining from McGill University.

Larry has worked as Director Project Evaluations at Barrick Gold and has held similar positions with BHP-Billiton Base Metals, Rio Algom, SNC-Lavalin, Kilborn, Inco, and Vale.

His evaluation experience includes economic evaluations, targeting and ranking studies, scoping studies, optimization studies, pre-feasibility and feasibility studies, risk assessment, and due diligence work for banks and mining companies. Larry has published a number of papers on mineral project evaluation, discount rates, and risk assessment, and is considered an expert in these fields.

Larry teaches mineral economics, mineral project evaluation, and “Introduction to Mining”. He lectures at the University of Toronto and Schulich School of Business at York University, as well as teaching in-house courses and seminars.

He is on the executive of the CIM Mineral Economics Society (MES) and is a past chair of CIM Toronto Branch. He is the recipient of the CIM Robert Elver award for Mineral Economics, a Fellow of CIM, and a CIM Distinguished Lecturer.

Why You Should Attend

The mining industry is undergoing rapid transformation—and understanding where we’ve come from is key to shaping where we’re going. This session will give you a rare opportunity to learn directly from Lawrence Smith, one of Canada’s most respected experts in mineral project evaluation and mining economics. You’ll gain:

• Insights from 40+ years of global mining experience across major companies such as Barrick, BHP-Billiton, Inco, SNC-Lavalin, and Vale.
• A clear understanding of what has worked and what hasn’t in past mining projects—directly from someone who has evaluated hundreds of them.
• A forward-looking perspective on better ideas, improved methodologies, and future-ready strategies for the mining sector.
• Practical takeaways you can apply immediately in project evaluation, decision-making, and risk analysis.
• A chance to connect with mining professionals, students, academics, and industry leaders in a relaxed environment at the Faculty Club, University of Alberta.

This talk will challenge assumptions, sharpen your thinking, and help you better navigate the future of mining.

Who Should Attend

This event is ideal for anyone involved in—or aspiring to join—the mining and natural resources sector, including:

• Mining engineers, geologists, and metallurgists
• Project managers and project evaluators
• Students and early-career professionals exploring mining careers
• Finance, investment, and banking professionals focused on mining projects
• Consultants and analysts working in risk, feasibility, or project development
• Academics and researchers in mining, geology, and resource economics
• Industry leaders and decision-makers seeking strategic insights
• Professionals from related sectors such as energy, environmental science, or engineering who want to broaden their understanding of mining’s future

If you’re interested in where mining is headed, this event will offer clear, expert-backed insight you won’t find anywhere else.

See you there!