by Marty Brown
Northern News Services

NNSL (NOV 20/96) - It's being called the biggest mining get-together in the North in ages.

Leaders of the Northwest Territories mining industry, the Yellowknife business community, aboriginal organizations, educators and government officials will meet Nov. 25 and 26 at the Explorer Hotel to look at partnerships in Northern mining.

The Exploring Our Future Together symposium is an invitation to all residents of the community interested in exploring the possibility of making Yellowknife the North's mining capital for the 21st century, organizers said.

"The object of this symposium is to find out what we're missing as suppliers," said Chamber of Commerce president Gabrielle Decorby. "We hope this will allow people in the goods and service industry to see the holes and prepare."

Among the issues on the agenda are joint ventures, partnerships, educator's roles in assisting the mining industry, development, growth and transportation.

Organizers are promising an open-space conference. That means no lengthy speeches or experts telling delegates what to do. It will start with a brief overview of some of the major mining developments. Delegates will have a chance to lead discussion groups on issues or important to them. Then delegates will break off into small discussion groups.

It is the first major mining symposium to come to Yellowknife in a long time Decorby said.

The symposium is sponsored by the Yellowknife Chamber of Commerce, the NWT Chamber of Mines, the NWT Chamber of Commerce and the NWT Construction Association. Delegates are asked to pre-register by calling the Yellowknife chamber