The KEG Conference and Trade Show is the second largest event of its kind in the province. (Image Credit: Kent Simmonds / CFJC Today)
MINING AND EXPLORATION

KEG Conference and Trade Show returns to Kamloops

Apr 13, 2022 | 4:17 PM

KAMLOOPS — The Kamloops Exploration Group (KEG) was finally able to host its annual conference and trade show this week. The event had been postponed for the past two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

With more than 350 participants, KEG Director Lorne Warner says the KEG conference is the second largest in the province. Kamloops has been a longtime hub for mining and exploration, given its central location in B.C.

“Highland Valley at one point was the third-largest mine in the world, as an example, a nice big copper moly mine. Look at Kamloops — we have all these mines right around the city itself,” he explains. “Even way back when the placer miners back over 100 years ago were coming up, they first came to Kamloops and started mining Tranquille Creek before they went up to Barkerville.”

This year’s event featured kids programs like gold-panning with ‘Yukon Dan’, presentations from industry professionals, trade show displays, interactive booths, and more.

“The industry is starting to come back up and get busy again,” notes Warner. “This is what people are looking at, see what’s happening in the industry, what’s going on. And any new exploration techniques. There’s a lot of science also involved here in some of the booths, trying to get people to show others what you can do with drones, and the geophysical side of things, so it’s pretty cool.”

The 2022 KEG Conference and Trade show started on April 12 and wraps up Wednesday (April 13). For more information about the Kamloops Exploration Group, their programs, and upcoming events, click here.