May 2011

Collaboration, Competition and Drama at 28th Annual Mintec Seminar

Clients listen to a MineSight presentation at the Mintec Seminar, held April 11-15 at Westward Look Resort in Tucson, Arizona.

Principal MineSight Specialist Jim Lonergan, (left) consults with a client during one-on-one sessions at Mintec Seminar, April 11-15

For some it's a chance to share ideas and learn more: For others, it's a window into the future of software development. By most accounts, the 28th annual Mintec Seminar lived up to its billing as the most invaluable free seminar around, and not even an uninvited rattlesnake could spoil the event.

More than 140 clients descended on the Westward Look Resort in Tucson, Arizona, April 11-15. The Western Diamondback rattler didn't appear until Tuesday night's barbecue, and was summarily dealt with by resort staff. "He almost made it to the dance floor," joked Mintec President John Davies.

Feature presentations by Mintec technical staff and by clients kicked off the week, before more detailed workshops demonstrating MineSight applications. As always, many of those clients took advantage of the direct consultation offered by Mintec in one-on-one sessions with MineSight specialists.

"For Mintec, it's a valuable opportunity to receive the feedback so vital to improving our software," said Davies.

For clients, the feeling is mutual.

"I always learn something new here," said AMEC's Ron Parent. "Seminar is a great place to share ideas and learn more."

Don Mills, Chief Geologist with Teck Coal agreed: "The presentations and workshops fill in the gaps on what's discussed in the monthly newsletters, and provide a window into the direction the MineSight software is heading.

"Coming to the seminar is our opportunity to influence that progression." But the Mintec Seminar isn't all about dialogue and collaboration. Competition was fierce Wednesday afternoon at Vistoso Golf Club in Tucson. About 40 clients and Mintec staff exchanged air conditioning and powerpoint presentations for blue skies, temperate breezes, and 18 holes of golf. And no amount of trash talking could ignore the margin of victory claimed by Mintec Chairman Fred Banfield's foursome, which finished nineunder.

A more detailed account of this year's seminar will appear in June's newsletter. The Mintec Seminar may be over for another year, but clients can still take advantage of many other training opportunities at MineSight regional seminars around the world. For more information, visit www.minesight.com.

Competition was fierce among Mintec staff-client foursomes during the seminar golf tournament at Vistoso in Tucson.