The Daily Press is the city of Timmins broadsheet newspaper.
TIMMINS – This is a week of celebration in Timmins. No, there hasn’t been a new stat holiday added to the calendar. But there are plenty of reasons for Northerners to show pride.
The Big Event Mining Expo takes over the McIntyre Community Centre and will be the highlight of Mining Week in Timmins.
While cosmopolitan urbanites in southern Ontario may scoff, there are plenty of reasons for the mining community to blow its own horn. While other economic sectors have struggled in recent years, the mining industry has been growing by leaps and bounds.
Consider the follow data provided by the Ontario Mining Association:
• In 2011, mining was a $10.7-billion industry in Ontario, up from $5.9 billion in 2002, representing growth of 80%.
• In 2011, there were more than 330 companies actively exploring minerals in Ontario, spending an estimated $5.4 billion.
• The sector is a big plus for exporting. About 72% of Ontario mining customers are located outside the province. Conversely, the sector is great for local suppliers. An estimated 74% of Ontario’s mine suppliers are based in the province.
• The economic output of mining employees is about six times that of workers in other industries. The OMA estimates the average miner produced $680,000 in 2011, compared to $110,000 in other industries.
Even with the recent fluctuations in commodity prices, mining is still one of the top driving economic forces in Ontario, not just the North.
For the rest of this column, click here: http://www.timminspress.com/2013/05/28/good-reasons-to-celebrate-mining