Presented by ALS Global
Thank you for Making the
Coal Symposium
2026
a Success
Networking & Technical Development in the Elk Valley
Presented by CIM Crowsnest Branch · Hosted in the heart of the Elk Valley
We look forward to seeing you at next year’s event. Details to come.
A heartfelt thank you to our sponsors whose generosity made this event possible:
Congratulations to Our 2026 Scholarship Recipients
Each year, the CIM Crowsnest Scholarship Program recognises outstanding students from the Elk Valley and Crowsnest Pass. We are proud to celebrate this year’s recipients.
Zoey Ingham
Elkford, BC
Zoey received a $1,000 scholarship in recognition of her pursuit of a mining-related trade. She will be enrolling in the Electrical Foundations program at the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology.
Maggie Sutherland
Fernie, BC
Maggie received a $1,000 scholarship for her first year of studies and a $2,000 scholarship for her second year, in a mining-related university program. She will be pursuing Environmental Sciences at the University of British Columbia Okanagan.
L to R: Antony McElwee – Hays Recruiting; Adrien Daley – Kal Tire; Paul Dore – PDC Environmental; Chris Wright – Kal Tire; Maggie Sutherland – Recipient; Zoey Ingham – Recipient; Mike Casault – Mike Casault HSS Consulting; Anne Keery – Maple Change Consulting
© Samantha Batten Photography · All rights reserved
Presented by ALS Global
Coal Symposium
2026
Networking & Technical Development in the Elk Valley
Presented by CIM Crowsnest Branch · Hosted in the heart of the Elk Valley
Sponsors & Partners
The Coal Symposium is made possible by the generous support of companies and individuals who invest in the Elk Valley mining community.
Support the 34th Annual Coal Symposium
Sponsorship connects your organization with working professionals, engineers, suppliers, and decision-makers across the Elk Valley coal industry. To discuss any package, contact us at crowsnest@cim.org.
- Tickets6
- Event Signage“Presented by”
- Table Placards“Presented by”
- Promo SpaceDedicated Table
- MC RecognitionYes
- Speaking Opportunity2 Minutes
- Event PostsYes
- Tickets4
- Event SignageLarge
- Table PlacardsLarge
- Signage2 Signs
- Promo SpaceYes
- MC RecognitionYes
- Event PostsYes
- Tickets2
- Event SignageMedium
- Table PlacardsMedium
- Signage2 Signs
- Promo SpaceYes
- MC RecognitionYes
- Event PostsYes
- Tickets4
- Event SignageLarge
- Table PlacardsLarge
- Signage2 Signs
- Promo SpaceYes
- MC RecognitionYes
- Event PostsYes
- Tickets4
- Event SignageLarge
- Table PlacardsLarge
- Signage2 Signs
- Promo SpaceYes
- MC RecognitionYes
- Event PostsYes
- Tickets2
- Event SignageMedium
- Table PlacardsMedium
- Signage2 Signs
- Promo SpaceYes
- MC RecognitionYes
- Event PostsYes
- Tickets2
- Event SignageMedium
- Table PlacardsMedium
- Signage2 Signs
- Promo SpaceYes
- MC RecognitionYes
- Event PostsYes
- Tickets2
- Event SignageMedium
- Table PlacardsMedium
- Signage2 Signs
- Promo SpaceYes
- MC RecognitionYes
- Event PostsYes
Connecting Professionals Across the Elk Valley
The Coal Symposium is the Elk Valley’s signature annual evening for working professionals, industry suppliers, and co-op students to connect, share knowledge, and advance technical excellence in the region’s coal mining sector.
Now in its 34th year, the Symposium brings together miners, engineers, geologists, environmental specialists, and suppliers for an evening of technical talks, good pizza, and the kind of conversations that only happen when the right people are in the same room. Co-op students and those new to the industry are especially encouraged to attend.
We respectfully acknowledge that the symposium is held in the territory of Yaq̓it ʔa·knuqⱡiʾit, keepers of the land for time immemorial, and part of the vast territory of the Ktunaxa speaking people, spanning parts of BC, Montana and Idaho.
Schedule
Tuesday, May 26, 2026 · Sparwood Rec Centre (Upstairs)
Featured Speakers
Speakers for the 34th Annual Coal Symposium will be announced shortly. Check back for updates.
The Lights On the Tipple Are Going Out:
Fighting Economic Ruin in a Canadian Coalfield Community
Present at the Coal Symposium
We welcome speaker proposals from engineers, researchers, operators, and professionals across the coal mining industry. Presentations should be 20–30 minutes on topics relevant to working professionals in the Elk Valley and Crowsnest Pass region.
CIM Crowsnest Scholarship Program
Any proceeds in excess of the costs to host the symposium are directed to the CIM Crowsnest Scholarship Program.
The scholarships were created in 1988 when CIM Crowsnest hosted the District 6 conference, endowing the program with $40,000. Those funds are now nearly depleted, making the support of this event more important than ever.
Each year, two scholarships are awarded to graduating students from Fernie, Sparwood, Elkford, and the Crowsnest Pass.
Awarded to one graduating student entering a trades education program.
Awarded to one graduating student entering a mining-related field of engineering or earth sciences. $1,000 in year one, $2,000 in year two.
Venue & Location
367 Pine Avenue
Upstairs Banquet Hall
Sparwood, British Columbia
~30 min from Fernie
~45 min from Cranbrook
~25 min from Blairmore, AB
Make a Week of It
The Coal Symposium is one part of a remarkable week of industry events in the Elk Valley and Crowsnest Pass. Plan your trip around all three.
Coal Symposium 2026
The 34th Annual Coal Symposium. An evening of networking, technical presentations, pizza, and door prizes for Elk Valley industry professionals.
Register NowCoalSMART 2026
A full day of technical sessions focused on smart mining technology, safety innovation, and the future of the coal sector. Held the day after the Symposium in the Crowsnest Pass.
Register at CoalSMARTCoalSMART Golf Tournament
Cap off the week on the fairway. The CoalSMART Golf Tournament, sponsored by NWP, is a beloved tradition for industry professionals, a relaxed day to continue the conversations started earlier in the week.
Register for GolfRegistration
Tickets are available through Eventbrite. Registration closes May 23, 2026 or when capacity is reached.
Questions? Email crowsnest@cim.org
Questions & Inquiries
For sponsorship, speaker proposals, door prize donations, or general questions, contact us at crowsnest@cim.org
We respectfully acknowledge that the symposium is held in the territory of Yaq̓it ʔa·knuqⱡiʾit, keepers of the land for time immemorial, and part of the vast territory of the Ktunaxa speaking people, spanning parts of BC, Montana and Idaho.