The Daily Press is the city of Timmins broadsheet newspaper.
TIMMINS – Back in the day, spring was the time of year when many Northern prospectors would take some time off and get out of the bush before the snow melted and the creeks and rivers were opened up. Soon enough, they would be heading back in, with fresh supplies, a new tent, a canoe and a packsack full of hope for a new season.
And all across Northern Ontario, the brief spring break found hundreds of prospectors and mining executives heading to Toronto to take part in the annual convention of the Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada (PDAC) which was formed 83 years ago.
The convention continues to be Canada’s largest mining and mining exploration event that brings together people from every level of the industry to discuss common concerns. One of those concerns is how to deal with growing shortage of trained workers, especially in more remote areas of the country — usually where the mines are developed.
Convention organizers say the Toronto event will be attracting hundreds of First Nations representatives who will be networking with mining companies, not only to explore business partnerships, but also to discuss job opportunities. More than 500 Aboriginal representatives took part in last year’s event and the association expects the same level of interest this year.