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Ontario Mining Association

Ontario Mining Association forum expands First Nation-mining industry dialogue

This article was provided by the Ontario Mining Association (OMA), an organization that was established in 1920 to represent the mining industry of the province.

An Ontario Mining Association forum on mining sector and First Nation issues held last week has expanded the dialogue on the expectations and realities of both groups.  The panel had three representatives from industry and three senior First Nations representatives. 

The moderator was Sandra Gogal, an expert in Aboriginal and resource industry law with Miller Thomson, an OMA member.  “We want to facilitate open dialogue and a sharing of information amongst panelists and the audience,” she said.  “There are many successes but we want the forum to be challenging and address issues where there may be differences on both sides of the debate.”

On the topic of overlapping land claims by more than one Aboriginal group, Michael Fox, President of Fox High Impact Consulting, said “This is a relatively new phenomenon dealing with overlapping traditional protocols changed by a third party. You can only move as fast as the communities can move and an educational platform has to take place first.”

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Hockey star raises First Nation awareness as cultural ambassador for mining

This article was provided by the Ontario Mining Association (OMA), an organization that was established in 1920 to represent the mining industry of the province.

Former Philadelphia Flyers scoring ace Reggie Leach took on the role of cultural ambassador as a luncheon speaker last week to improve Ontario Mining Association members’ awareness of First Nations realities.  An Ojibway and member of the Berens River First Nation in Manitoba, he grew up as the youngest in a family of 13 children in Riverton, Manitoba.

Many people are able to recount his exploits and successes on the ice.  After being selected third overall in the 1970 National Hockey League entry draft, Reggie Leach went on to play 934 NHL games, score 381 goals and record 285 assists for 666 points.  He is a Stanley Cup winner and a Conn Smyth Trophy winner.  In the 1975-1976 season, he scored 61 goals in the regular season before netting 19 goals in 16 playoff games — 80 goals in one season.
 
Fewer people may know about his growing up through a childhood of relative poverty.  He didn’t start to skate until he was 10 and he did not have his own pair of skates until he was 14.  “I am always trying to give back and my life is now for First Nations kids and getting them going in the right direction,” said Mr. Leach. 

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Vale supports awareness of mining careers with Aboriginal organization

This article was provided by the Ontario Mining Association (OMA), an organization that was established in 1920 to represent the mining industry of the province.

Ontario Mining Association member Vale has donated more than $500,000 to support enhancing Aboriginal awareness of career opportunities in the mining industry.  Vale’s support of Indspire (formerly known as the National Aboriginal Achievement Foundation) helped this educational organization produce the teaching resource “Careers in Mining,” which is aimed at Aboriginal youth.

“Careers in Mining” highlights five career profiles – miner, millwright, environmental engineer, geologist and mine engineer.  It is the newest component of Indspire’s “Career Opportunities for Youth” series.  Other parts of this series include “Careers in Television Broadcasting,” “Careers in Radio Broadcasting,” “Health Careers in the Classroom,” “Circle of Justice” and “The Canadian Railway Industry.”

The resources of “Careers in Mining” include career profiles, education requirements, activities, necessary work and life skills and a first rate video on mining jobs focused on Aboriginal high school students.  Co-Executive Producer of the lively and entertaining 18-plus minute video is Jennifer Podemski. 

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Ontario Mining Association helps teach teachers about mining

This article was provided by the Ontario Mining Association (OMA), an organization that was established in 1920 to represent the mining industry of the province.

The Ontario Mining Association has been busy lately making sure teachers – and students – gain a better understanding of the mineral industry and the employment opportunities it offers.  Lesley Hymers, OMA Environment and Education Specialist, carried the educational flag at three different outreach events recently.

On February 17, 2012, 85 teachers from the Toronto District School Board were guests of the University of Toronto’s Geology Department to learn more about the mineral industry and career options.  It was a day dedicated to Earth science professional development. 

Ms. Hymers ran a session focused on career education that presented the wide-range of job opportunities in mining.  In addition to sharing mineral industry career themed hands-on learning activities with the teachers, she delivered a presentation that outlined a variety of career resources available to teachers from the OMA and partner organizations, including Skills Canada Ontario, the Mining Industry Human Resource Council (MiHR) and the Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada’s Mining Matters program.

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Raise tax rate for miners, Steelworkers say – by Liz Cowan (Northern Ontario Business – February 23, 2012)

Established in 1980, Northern Ontario Business  provides Canadians and international investors with relevant, current and insightful editorial content and business news information about Ontario’s vibrant and resource-rich North.  

Mining is booming in Ontario but some say the province isn’t getting its fair share of the resources.

“Minerals are not a renewable resource and every province charges a royalty to take ore out of its ground,” said Marie Kelly, a staff member of United Steelworkers District 6 (Ontario and Atlantic provinces). “Ontario is clearly the most mineral-rich province in Canada. We take out the most ore out of the ground on any given time of the year and yet we have the lowest royalty percentage.”

Kelly spoke to the Commission on Quality Public Services and Tax Fairness in Sudbury in early February to point out the province’s return on minerals.

Saskatchewan, the Northwest Territories, British Columbia, Quebec and Newfoundland and Labrador collect more mining revenue than Ontario even though their mine production is less.

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Mining can help dig Ontario out of debt

This article was provided by the Ontario Mining Association (OMA), an organization that was established in 1920 to represent the mining industry of the province.

Ontario’s growing mineral industry can offer hope and opportunity to individuals and also assistance to government with its deficit problem.  This was the message in a letter sent from Ontario Mining Association President Chris Hodgson to Ontario Finance Minister Dwight Duncan as part of a pre-budget submission. 

“Mining holds the potential to quite literally help dig Ontario out of debt,” said Mr. Hodgson.  “As the province faces a deficit of $16 billion this year, mining can be a partner in economic growth – growing jobs and growing government revenues.” 

“In the province, today, mining is a $10 billion per year business, which employs about 27,000 people directly,” he added.  “Canada’s mining industry is poised to make up to $140 billion in new investments in the next five years, with much of it in Ontario.  What sectors of the economy are matching this level of activity on the capital spending front?”

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Sudbury College officially opens doors of Xstrata Nickel energy centre

This article was provided by the Ontario Mining Association (OMA), an organization that was established in 1920 to represent the mining industry of the province.

With the support of a $2 million contribution from Ontario Mining Association member Xstrata Nickel, Cambrian College in Sudbury has officially opened the doors of its new energy research facility.  The Xstrata Nickel Sustainable Energy Centre is home to cutting-edge applied research and education programs for sustainable energy.

Cambrian’s three-year Energy Systems Technology, Environmental Monitoring and Impact Assessment programs will be run out of this 16,000 square foot plus $5-million building.  The centre will also house research facilities to be used by students, entrepreneurs and the general public.

“With this new centre, we are expanding our capacity for applied research and making room for growth,” said Sylvia Barnard, President of Cambrian College. “We are focused on applied research because it gives students in various programs real-life experience working with prototypes and entrepreneurs.”

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Hemlo Mines creates opportunities for First Nations students

This article was provided by the Ontario Mining Association (OMA), an organization that was established in 1920 to represent the mining industry of the province.

Ontario Mining Association member Barrick Hemlo Mines is providing opportunities for residents of two nearby First Nations, Pic River and Pic Mobert, in Northwestern Ontario.  In 2009, the original 1992 agreement between Hemlo and these First Nations was broadened.  It creates a framework to train First Nations people in skills for present and future mining employment, to support business development and to include involvement in environmental stewardship programs.

“The agreement helps build capacity in First Nation communities to ensure that they benefit from mining,” said Roger Souckey, Superintendent of Employee Relations at Hemlo Mines.  “About  50 First Nations people work at Hemlo Mines, or about 10% of the workforce.  The mine is a benefit to the area.”

The Hemlo Operations of Barrick include the Williams and David Bell gold mines.  The mines purchased goods and services worth $35 million in Ontario in 2010 and $147 million in Canada.  In 2010, Hemlo Mines paid taxes and royalties of $8 million and contributed a further $800,000 in a variety of donations to local communities.

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Gold miner supports OMA’s high school video competition with a fresh initiative

This article was provided by the Ontario Mining Association (OMA), an organization that was established in 1920 to represent the mining industry of the province.

Ontario Mining Association member St Andrew Goldfields (SAS) has taken a fresh approach to help promote the So You Think You Know Mining high school video competition.  The gold producer has spread the word through internal communications and on-line social media offering high school aged children of its employees an opportunity to win extra cash prizes by entering a video on the benefits of mining.

Any video produced by children of SAS employees will be entered into a random draw for a $500 prize.  Students are requested to show proof of entry in the SYTYKM competition and submit a copy of their video to the company by March 31, 2012.  The deadline for the fourth annual SYTYKM competition itself is March 15, 2012.

In the true spirit of SYTYKM, SAS is employing video and a social media platform that is popular with young people to support the OMA’s high school video competition.  You can see a promotional video on YouTube featuring Geoff Ramey, Human Resources Director at SAS.  You can also check out the OMA’s YouTube channel, which is used to support SYTYKM and to share messages in these videos with a wider audience.

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Let’s get the geological world to Vancouver in 2020

This article was provided by the Ontario Mining Association (OMA), an organization that was established in 1920 to represent the mining industry of the province.

The Ontario Mining Association supports the bid of Vancouver to host the prestigious International Geological Congress in 2020.  This event is held in Olympian style once every four years.  This group got off the ground in 1876 and held its first event dedicated to the advancement of global Earth science in 1878 in Paris, France.

In a letter to council members of the IGC and the International Union of Geological Sciences, OMA President Chris Hodgson said “Canada is a mining nation and the foundation of this industry and its future success is based on geoscience.”

“The OMA strongly supports the efforts of Vancouver, British Columbia, to host the 36th International Geological Congress in 2020.  This major Canadian city is a major mining centre in a mining province, which would be an ideal location for your event,” he added.  “The world will be welcome.  All of Canada will be there.”

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New agreement strengthens Ontario mining industry-First Nations relations

This article was provided by the Ontario Mining Association (OMA), an organization that was established in 1920 to represent the mining industry of the province.

A Memorandum of Understanding between Ontario Mining Association member Quadra FNX and the Sagamok Anishnawbek First Nation strengthens relationships among mining companies and First Nations in the province.  The MOU is designed to serve as a foundation for a working relationship between both parties concerning Quadra FNX’s advanced exploration program on the Victoria Project in Sudbury.

Quadra FNX and the Sagamok First Nation will work towards a full Impact Benefits Agreement.  The company is proceeding with efforts to gain environmental permitting for the project.  The MOU was signed in Sudbury by Chief Paul Eshkakogan of the Sagamok First Nation and Michael Winship, Chief Operating Officer of Quadra FNX.

“This MOU will facilitate open and timely dialogue between Quadra FNX and our First Nation as it relates to the company’s activities to develop the Victoria Advanced Exploration project,” said Chief Eshkakogan.  “We look forward to negotiating an IBA that will provide benefits for our members and ensure the environment and our traditional territories are protected.”

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Ontario Mining Association co-sponsors high school video workshop

This article was provided by the Ontario Mining Association (OMA), an organization that was established in 1920 to represent the mining industry of the province.

The Ontario Mining Association is joining forces with Cambrian College in Sudbury to run a video production workshop for high school students.  The one-day course, which can accommodate up to 30 students, will be held on January 21, 2012 at Cambrian.  This workshop, with the OMA and Cambrian as partners, is designed to promote the OMA’s “So You Think You Know Mining” video competition.

Participants will be provided with an opportunity to learn the basics of video production, use Cambrian’s modern facilities and film equipment and benefit from the experience of college staff.  The workshop is being facilitated by Dan Maslakewycz from CTV. 

The OMA’s “So You Think You Know Mining” high school video competition is now in its fourth year.  This year $33,500 in prize money is up for grabs.  The deadline for submitting two to three minute videos on any aspect of the benefits of mining is March 15, 2012.  There is also a new category this year for short commercials. The SYTYKM awards gala will be held June 5, 2012 at the Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto.

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Mining takes to the Toronto stage

This article was provided by the Ontario Mining Association (OMA), an organization that was established in 1920 to represent the mining industry of the province.

Are you ready for this?  The 2011-2012 Ross Petty pantomime at the Elgin Theatre featured a mining motif.  It is not often that mining takes a bow on stage but the new rendition of the “The Wizard of Oz” not only had miners doing a song and dance routine to “Macho Man” and other numbers but Donnie, one of the main characters was a miner.  Never mind that the Wicked Witch threatens to turn him into “a heap of scrap metal.”

Ross Petty has been producing a Christmas pantomime for 16 years and it has become a popular fixture on Toronto’s theatre scene.  Past productions have included “Peter Pan,” “Cinderella” (who can forget Celine and Shania as the evil step sisters?),”Robin Hood,” “Snow White,” “Jack and the Beanstalk” and “Aladdin,” which featured renowned wrestler Bret The Hitman Hart. 

The pantomimes are in the tradition of the old British shows, which included a lot of physical humour and music along with witty social commentary and criticism.  Audience interaction is encouraged and regular ad libbing by all the actors ensures no two performances are exactly alike.  The farce reigns supreme. “The Wizard of Oz” included some good shots at Toronto’s professional hockey team, bicycle paths, libraries and the city’s municipal leadership among others.

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Bill 14 will change [Quebec] mining sector for worse – by Jean-Francois Minardi, Troy Media (Montreal Gazette – September 20, 2011)

http://www.montrealgazette.com/index.html

Giving power to municipalities will make it harder to invest in new jobs

Jean-François Minardi is associate director of the Global Natural Resource Policy Centre with the Fraser Institute.

Until recently, Quebec was seen by mining executives around the world as having the best policy environment for investment, mainly thanks to a predictable regulatory environment, the absence of territorial claims in northern Quebec, high quality geo-scientific data easily accessible to miners, good infrastructure, a skilled workforce, and an attractive mining-tax system.

But with the introduction May 12 of Bill 14, to amend Quebec’s Mining Act, the province is now poised to introduce a high level of uncertainty that may scare investors away and seriously damage the policy attractiveness of Quebec to mining investment.

Bill 14 gives additional power to municipalities to control mining activities on their territory, something municipalities clamoured for during the heated debates over regulating the shale gas industry.

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Ontario Mining sector continues on path of improved safety performance

This article was provided by the Ontario Mining Association (OMA), an organization that was established in 1920 to represent the mining industry of the province.

Since 1976, Ontario mining industry’s lost time injury rate has improved by 96%.  The path may have been filled with both pot holes and speed bumps but this steady improvement in safety performance in Ontario’s mining industry is no accident.

In moving forward in time and using the lost time injury rate as a yardstick, numbers indicate the mining sector’s record has been safer by 81% since 1989 and by 73% since 1993.  The lost time injury rate was more than 12 per 200,000 hours worked in 1976 and it has been reduced to the 0.5 range today.  The industry-wide goal is to reach a frequency of zero by 2015.

Mining safety statistics are moving in the right direction because of personal diligence and concern for one’s self and one’s colleagues. There are a number of initiatives and institutions supporting this progress.  OMA programs, the Internal Responsibility System, inspections and programs from the Ministry of Labour, regulatory changes and adjustments to Common Core skills training along with the role of the sectoral safety group Workplace Safety North and unions have played strong parts in these gains.

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