“PDAC 2025 was a game changer, the most dynamic and energized PDAC I’ve attended in twenty years, clearly signaling that critical minerals have become a global priority. Seeing Silicon Valley investors and an influx of younger attendees actively asking how they could participate reaffirmed my belief that our industry is finally achieving the recognition it deserves. Without question, PDAC has firmly established itself as the world’s premier event for resource industry collaboration and innovation.” — Tracy Hughes, Executive Director, Critical Minerals Institute (CMI)
PDAC 2025 was the most explosive and powerful one I have attended in the last two decades. Everyone received the WhatsApp message loud and clear: we need critical minerals, and we need to work together.
This year, with representatives from some of the world’s most significant critical mineral deposits and technologies, the consistent theme was that the only barrier to a successful critical minerals supply chain is the capital required to build it.
Enter Dr. Doris Hiam-Galvez stage right, who serves on the PDAC Board and is a well-known influencer and speaker. She advocates for our industry to adopt a new image and more compelling branding to strengthen the case for investment. Her influence is evident; I met Silicon Valley representatives at PDAC for the first time, all drawn by the potential of critical minerals. For the first time in my history of attending PDAC, I saw Silicon Valley representation actively asking, “how can we help?” and “where do we get in?” Add in a surge of attendees under the age of 40, except for one investor who dragged along his 12-year-old, who looked less than thrilled. But otherwise, everyone seemed very happy. PDAC wowed the crowds with a plethora of outstanding events and speakers, and I was on stage interviewing, listening to some of the top experts share their wisdom as we move into 2025.
PDAC began with a burst of electric energy, evoking the vibrant atmosphere of a ’70s discotheque. The event’s mood was overall exceedingly optimistic, and discussions were focused on gold, copper, nickel, rare earths, uranium, and the rarer gallium, germanium, and antimony, all reflecting the spirited essence of PDAC. A standout moment for me was interviewing Terry Lynch of Power Metallic Mines Inc. (TSXV: PNPN), the top performer in the TSX Venture 50 for 2024. During the interview, Lynch touched on shareholder supporting Power Metallic, including industry influencers Rob McEwen and Robert Friedland.
On that note, well-known industry leader Eric Sprott’s enthusiastic endorsement of silver’s potential energized the crowd—a sentiment echoed by Peter Clausi, VP of Capital Markets at Silver Bullet Mines (TSXV: SBMI | OTCQB: SBMCF). Clausi demonstrated the company’s recent achievements by showcasing a silver bar produced from their mining operations. Notably, the company went into production at their Super Champ mine in January 2025 and began generating revenue in late February.
I’d like to extend my personal gratitude to PearTree, Ron Bernbaum, Lisa Davies, and his team for initiating a petition just before PDAC aimed at extending the Mineral Exploration Tax Credit (METC). The petition not only sought to extend the METC but also proposed critical updates to make it permanent, expand the Critical Mineral Exploration Tax Credit (CMETC) to encompass all of Canada’s critical minerals, and broaden the Canadian Exploration Expenditures (CEE) eligibility to include essential economic and engineering studies. These amendments are crucial for drawing steady investment and preserving Canada’s leadership in sustainable mineral development. Although we aimed for an indefinite renewal, we achieved a significant milestone with the announcement that the METC would be renewed for two more years, just 48 hours after the petition was circulated.
As PDAC 2025 wrapped up, the event drew global attention not only for its staple discussions on mining and exploration but also for spotlighting the geopolitical stakes surrounding critical minerals, particularly with the recent Ukraine peace initiative. This theme highlighted the essential role of critical minerals in international relations and economic strategies. Overall, I would rate PDAC 2025 a 10/10 as it has something for everyone and is most assuredly the #1 resource industry event in the world.
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