Highlights of PDAC 2026 “Value” Has Become the Central Conversation
The common conversation around PDAC we heard at SEF is value. Mining companies are talking about social value. This isn’t CSR language resurfacing , it’s a structural shift in how companies understand operational success.
Key observations:
Social values are being discussed as a core business driver, not an add‑on.
Companies are increasingly explicit that community partnership = operational certainty.
The conversation is moving from “impact reporting” to risk reduction, permitting efficiency, and long-term stability.
What we heard at IGF World Economic Forum
The areas of performance improvement that dialogue that happens around the stakeholders and the producers themselves using independent partners is a way forward. And better value. Value in world is often measured in production, but dollars can be valued in other ways. It could be value on water, data to understand climate resilience, it could be creating livelihoods and long-term job prospects beyond the existence of mine itself.
Government of Ontario The world wants what Canada has because not only are we on the path to unlocking the potential, we have shared value, economic development and grow partnerships.
Boliva, New Pacific Metals “Alliance with all stakeholders in the region, like cooperatives, even artisanal miners and other players in the region. Only by building this good solid foundation at the project level can we then present a very nice package for the government to approve. “
Argentina One of the best things that you can do is to fins a local contractor that you can partner with. You might want to think about doing some important partnership with the locals. It helps you get in. There is a benefit for the local community and local people that live there.
“Coming together working together for each other. Nothing we can’t accomplish”
Permitting Pressure Is Accelerating the Shift
Investors Are Rewarding Predictability
Indigenous Partnership Is Moving from Expectation to Standard
SEF’s model, Indigenous entrepreneurship, community economic development, and partnership-based facilitation, is increasingly recognized as the practical pathway to the outcomes companies now prioritize.
