SAN JUAN, ARGENTINA, AUGUST 31st, 2010. The most important mining convention in Argentina started today in San Juan. Organized by Argentina Mining, the tradeshow gathered more than 400 companies of which 100 are mining companies. Over 550 participants are attending the conferences and mining-related companies exhibit in 110 booths. The convention continues tomorrow and ends on Thursday with an estimated attendance of more than 3,000 visitors during the three days. The convention opened with the organizers’ words of welcome, Ricardo Cortés, Editec and Nivaldo Rojas, Rojas & Asociados, who initiated Argentina Mining 2010, the 8th edition of the International Convention on Business Opportunities in Exploration, Geology and Mining, the premium event of the Argentinean mining sector. The National Secretary of Mining, Jorge Mayoral, the Governor of the province of San Juan, José Luis Gioja, the Vice-Governor, Rubén Uñac, and the Secretary of Mining of San Juan, Felipe Saavedra, among other authorities, attended the inauguration ceremony. In this opportunity, San Juan, one of the most prominent Argentinean provinces in mining issues, becomes the host venue for the most important event of the Argentinean mining sector. The event beats an absolute record for programs of the sector in presence of mining companies, with the traditional display of drilling core samples and multiple opportunities of networking included in the social program. The manager of Argentina Mining, Paola Rojas, emphasized that “the importance of the Argentina Mining 2010 convention lies on the great diversity and quality of the participants. Argentina Mining’s role in the promotion of mining investment in Argentina is reflected in the large number of foreigners, executives, and pavilions of the leading mining countries as Canada, Australia and Chile. The fact that a potential mining project developer with intentions to close a deal visit us creates expectations and opportunities not only for the mining industry, but also for other annexed activities.” The National Secretary of Mining, Jorge Mayoral, said that “this prosperous industry together with the geological potential of our country and the magnitude of our geography allow us to be extremely optimistic with respect to future perspectives in mining matters in our country. Our future position will be that of a major player among the most important countries in productive, prospecting, and exploration issues in the mining sector. We have potential and also what is necessary –the political will to set a production model in motion.” Also, Mayoral emphasized that “we don’t have doubts about the virtuous future of the mining activity and, therefore, the positive impact on the quality of life of our people.” The Governor of the Province of San Juan, José Luis Gioja, recalled that in 1996 “we had to think if we were competitive and we realized that mining development had to go hand in hand with the development of the province of San Juan. Today, facts demonstrate we are absolutely competitive. Mining in San Juan is the key activity in the development of the province.” However, Gioja admitted that mining “arouses certain concerns connected with some interests that have nothing to do with the province. We want a San Juan that offers opportunities to the 700,000 sanjuaninos and one possibility is mining. Despite the obstacles they put in our path, we will overcome them. Mining gives opportunities and we are going to seize them.” The opening lecture was in charge of Alberto Salas, president of the National Society of Mining and the Interamerican Society of Mining. In his lecture, Salas stated that “mining, during the 2005-2009 period, amounted to the 25% of fiscal incomes in Chile, what meant an income of 48,000 million dollars and there exists a forecasted billing of over 45,000 million dollars more for 2012. Mining is by far Chile’s best productive activity and the most efficient one, and it is the activity that generates less labor conflicts and registers the lowest accident rates.” In his opinion regarding the activity in Argentina, he explained that “here, the mining industry has an enormous growth potential, but it is a task that must be undertaken right now and accelerate it.” He added that “Pascua Lama is the first binational project worldwide which will have an estimated production of 3,000 million dollars.” With respect to the accident in San José mine (Chile), where 33 miners wait to be rescued, Salas said that “mining entrepreneurs believe in freedom of enterprise and; therefore, we assume all the responsibilities it involves. Security is an ethical value and competitiveness in the sector is not favoured over our workers’ security. What I want to say is that regardless of financial control, the responsibility that our workers don’t have accidents is the businessmen’s responsibility. An investigation must be carried out to found out what happened in this ground failure and who are responsible for it. But I want to clarify that the mining activity registers the lowest accident rates in Chile compared to all other industries in the country.” Meanwhile, the manager of Argentina Minera SA, Ricardo Martínez, commented that “in Argentina, we have a country with certain dichotomies in mining, we know we are under legislative pressure, but geologists have to overcome this type of situations. Mining companies have the responsibility to maintain a broad productive spectrum in Argentina and, why not, to copy everything Chile has been doing right. What we want for Argentina is to transform it into a green scene for the mining industry, a country for work and the development of our opportunities.” The convention continued with the lectures of John Ashburne, founder of Black Horse Advisors, on the current market for mining finance in 2010 and the outlook for 2011. Then, there follow the lectures of David George Wahl, director de Southampton; and José Jara Donoso, member of the Institute of Mining Engineers of Chile, who analyzed the attractiveness of countries for mining investment. Last, Hugh Jeffrey talked about the current mining situation in Australia. The second section of lectures was dedicated to the analysis of precious metals with lectures of Gustavo Delendatti (Elementos Resources, Australia); Walter Munizaga (Extorre Gold Mines, Canadá); Diego Guido (Argentex Mining Corp); Walter Soechting (Yamana); Julio Bruna Novillo (Minera Alumbrera); Néstor Álvarez and Carlos Giustozzi (El Quevar). First Forum Opportunities in Mining Argentina Mining 2010’s program includes an innovative activity: the “First Forum Opportunities in Mining” aimed at allowing other sectors of San Juan’s community and nearest provinces to be informed about the key opportunities there may exist for them in the mining industry. The forum will take place on Thursday, September 2, at 5.30 p.m., free entrance, prior registration with ID required. All chambers of commerce and business, professional and technical associations, as well as legislators, businesspersons, professionals and technicians with interest in offering services or looking for job opportunities in the mining sector are specially invited to participate.