Karen writes:

"The Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada has been supporting a competitive, responsible, and sustainable mineral sector for 93 years. Each year, the PDAC holds a convention in Toronto,  Canada with 27,000 attendees from over 135 countries for networking events, business and job opportunities, educational programming, and fun. The PDAC works with its stakeholders to support mineral exploration and the Canadian mining industry with access to land, capital, and skills required to responsibly discover and develop minerals and metals.

This experience was a first for me in many ways. I had never flown on a plane, been to Ontario, travelled outside of the Maritimes, or had any exposure to the mining industry prior to attending PDAC. This experience was life-changing - I met so many new friends and made lasting connections with exploration geologists, exploration and mining companies, and industry professionals from across the world. This trip was incredibly fun, and getting to go with other students from our department made it even better.

 

The Acadia crew all together at PDAC 2025. From left to right: Yuzhe Gan, Jesse Demaires-Smith, Dylan McKeen, Tiernan Davies, Maria O'Neill (MUNL), Karen Brookman, Hayley Newell, Max Field, and Daniel Chodur. Dr. Cliff Stanley was also in attendance (not pictured here).

 

I am so grateful to the Leishman Family for their generosity and selecting myself and Leah Mymin to be two of five other students from Canada to receive an all-expenses-paid trip to Toronto to attend the PDAC convention. Krishana Michaud and Addison Pennie worked very hard alongside the Leishman family, the PDAC Board of Directors, and countless PDAC volunteers to make this student opportunity happen!

My highlights of the convention were attending the S-IMEW Alumni Reception, going to Coffee Connection events in the mornings, getting a free headshot taken, and getting to meet geologists from all around the world - all in the same place! Lots to learn, many to meet, and an absolute must-attend for anyone interested in mining or exploration geology."

Karen Brookman and Leah Mymin attending the 2025 PDAC Awards Gala and Nite Cap event with the other Leishman Experience students Zamdazitta Kumbakumba, Aisha Mohammed, and Marco Vasquez.