Ontario Mining Association – Page 14

Ontario Mining education takes a step forward with new MBA program

December 15, 2011

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 art and science of leading mineral companies has taken a step forward with York University’s Schulich School of Business launching a Masters of Business Administration specializing in Global Mining Management. The program aims to develop and mentor the next generation of business leaders in the mining sector. The program will be fully available starting in September 2012.

“Canada continues to play a critical role in the global mining sector and Canadian mining companies are key players in responding to the unprecedented growth in demand for metals and minerals,” said Dezso Horvath, Dean of the Schulich School of Business. “An MBA specializing in mining is long overdue in preparing future business leaders for a key industry in Canada and around the world.”

Richard Ross, former Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Inmet Mining, is the Executive-in-Residence for the program. Mr. Ross is a chartered accountant with a long and successful history in the mining sector. He was with the accounting firm Price Waterhouse earlier in his career before working for gold miner Placer Dome. He held a number of positions at Inmet from 1989 to 2009. Mr. Ross also serves on the boards of Ontario Mining Association members Osisko Mining and Cliffs Natural Resources.

Barrick’s Hemlo Operation leads the way with Towards Sustainable Mining honour

December 12, 2011

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.

Barrick Gold’s Hemlo Operation in Northwestern Ontario was presented with the Mining Association of Canada’s Towards Sustainable Mining (TSM) Leadership Award at a Mining Day on the Hill event in Ottawa last month. Other Ontario Mining Association members to receive TSM accolades were De Beers Canada, Teck Resources and Xstrata.

“Whether in Canada or abroad, Barrick strives to meet high standards for corporate social responsibility,” said Kelvin Dushnisky, Barrick Executive Vice President Corporate and Legal Affairs. “We are proud to see our Hemlo Operation recognized as a leader in responsible mining by Canada’s mining industry and congratulate everyone involved in this great achievement.”

“Barrick is only the second company to win a Leadership Award since the TSM Awards were inaugurated in 2006,” said MAC President Pierre Gratton. “We are honoured to be receiving this special award,” said Roger Souckey, Superintendent of Employee Relations at Hemlo. “At Hemlo, we place great value on our relationships with First Nations, local communities and on environmental stewardship.” Mr. Souckey has been a member of the OMA Education and Outreach Committee since its inception in 2006.

Ontario Mining Association’s Meet the Miners event attracts a record turnout

December 5, 2011December 5, 2011

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.

By all yardsticks, there was a record turnout of more than 200 delegates for the Ontario Mining Association’s Meet the Miners reception last week. Large contingents of MPPs, political staff, public service employees from key ministries and mining company representatives were on hand to celebrate the success of mining in Ontario and its contribution to the society and economy of this province.

The reception, which was held at the Sutton Place Hotel near Queen’s Park, followed a day of activities, which included an OMA board of directors meeting, a presentation by Ring of Fire Coordinator Christine Kaszycki, an address by Minister of Northern Development and Mines Rick Bartolucci and team meetings with several Cabinet Ministers and Opposition Leaders.

An improved understanding of mining’s important role in the future of Ontario, both as a generator of employment and wealth and as a provider of key materials for building a greener future, appears to be growing. For the second consecutive year mining received special attention in the Speech from the Throne at Queen’s Park.

OMA launches the fourth season of its province-wide high school video competition So You Think You Know Mining

April 5, 2015December 1, 2011

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.

Go to the Ontario Mining Association website www.oma.on.ca and check out today’s launch of the popular high school video competition So You Think You Know Mining for the fourth year. The 2012 competition is serving up opportunities to win $33,500 in prize money, an $8,000 increase of what was on the table last year.

The deadline for submitting two to three minute videos on the benefits of mining is midnight March 15, 2012. To be eligible for the Early Bird prize of $500, entries must be received by March 1, 2012.

Other key dates in 2012 are April 1 to 15 for the determination of nominees for the People’s Choice and OMA Academy Award, April 20 to June 3 which is the voting period for the People’s Choice Award and May 22 when winners will be determined and notified. The awards ceremony is scheduled for June 5 in Toronto at the Royal Ontario Museum.

The Horrible Reputation of Canada’s Mining Sector – by Stan Sudol

June 8, 2015November 29, 2011

Stan Sudol is a Toronto, Canada-based communications consultant, mining columnist and blogger. stan.sudol@republicofmining.com

Biggest commodity super-cycle in the history of mankind

The future of mining has never been brighter, yet its image among the general population seems to have plunged lower than the famous Kidd Creek mine in Timmins, Ontario – the world’s deepest base metal operation. The largest rural to urban migration in the history of mankind is taking place in China. It has been often said, that China needs to build two cities the size of Toronto, Canada and Sydney, Australia to accommodate that growth, every year! Analysts estimate that China’s middle class is expanding so rapidly that it will soon overtake the current U.S. population of 312 million.

In October, 2011, the world’s population had passed the seven billion mark. India, Brazil, Indonesia, Turkey and many other developing countries are following China and urbanizing and industrializing their economies. Mining experts feel that over the next 25 years, we will need to dig out of the ground as many minerals as consumed since the beginning of mankind.

One of the biggest concerns is a shortage of skilled workers. In the next decade half the mining workforce in Canada is eligible to retire and there are significant difficulties attracting and engaging the digital generation.
According to the Ottawa-based Mining Industry Human Resource Council’s 2011 hiring report, the industry will need to hire betwee 75,280 to 141,540 new workers in Canada depending on the state of the global economy by 2021. Similar labour shortage issues exisit in other western mining jurisdicitions like Australia and the United States.

Why we need more women in mining jobs

November 29, 2011

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.

Mining industry studies have helped Skills Canada Ontario and Women in Nuclear (WIN) produce a book designed to get more women involved into less traditional working roles. “Women Working in the Skilled Trades and Technologies: Myths & Realities” debunks six false stereotypes about women in the trades.

Getting more females into skilled trades and technology careers is seen as being crucial to support Canada’s economy and infrastructure. “The crisis associated with critical shortages of skilled workers makes it imperative that government, educators and industry work together as partners and utilize a cohesive approach in solving the problem of skilled worker shortages and do everything possible to attract women to the skilled trades and technologies,” said Gail Smyth, Executive Director of Skills Canada Ontario.

Women comprise 47.4% of the total Canadian workforce. Mining knows females will need to have a larger role in the industry. Currently, females make up 14.4% to the total mining workforce and there is a major role for women to play in the mineral sector as it works to solve its own skilled trades shortage.

Quebec mining film festival will salute Ontario community leaders

April 5, 2015November 15, 2011

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 second annual Mining Film Festival run by IDNR-TV will salute two Ontario mining community leaders and several Quebec officials to emphasize the mineral sector links and shared geology between Northeastern Ontario and Northwestern Quebec. This event is being held on Thursday, November 17, 2011 at the Cinema du Parc in Montreal.

The festival’s aim is to act as a platform on which mining and natural resource industries can be viewed objectively and realistically and to raise awareness of one of Canada’s most important industries. Films will highlight major changes taking place in the sector, technological innovations and sustainable mining practices.

Vic Power, who was Mayor of Timmins from 1980 to 2000 and from 2003 to 2006, will be presented with a tribute trophy for his positive influence on the growth and development of his city and region. Also, Tom Laughren, the current Mayor of Timmins, will receive a certificate of recognition. “IDNR-TV and Arcelor Mittal Canada Mines wish to acknowledge the outstanding contribution made by these regional leaders in building bridges and fostering cooperation between the francophone and anglophone communities that are central to the development of natural resources and the local mining industry.”

Have engineering companies found a secret for successful employee engagement?

November 1, 2011

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.

Mining in Ontario continues to face current and future human resource challenges due to industry growth and pending retirements from the existing workforce. Attracting and retaining employees for the right jobs in the right locations is a key strategy to be successful.

The Mining Industry Human Resource Council (MiHR) indicates Ontario’s mining industry will need between 5,578 and 17,000-plus new employees leading up to 2018. That range is based on different scenarios for global demand of metal and minerals. Ontario Mining Association President Chris Hodgson is a Director on the MiHR Board.

A recently released best employer study rates employee engagement as a key indicator for success in attracting in retaining workers. Aon Hewitt’s Best Employers in Canada study, which looked at 261 employers with a total of 112,000 employees, said the average engagement score for the top 50 companies was 78% while the average engagement score of the other companies was 58%.

Take advantage of mining boom Hodgson tells Aboriginal leaders – by Len Gillis (Timmins Times – October 27, 2011)

October 27, 2011

http://www.timminstimes.com/

Mining Association president says Aboriginals can solve worker shortage crisis

Ontario Mining Association president Chris Hodgson has appealed to the First Nations of Northeastern Ontario to embrace mining for its economic development for Aboriginal communities, for the job opportunities for Aboriginal young people and to take advantage of an economic boom the likes of which the North has never seen before.

Hodgson was the keynote speaker Tuesday night at the first ever Mining Ready Summit and tradeshow held to build partnerships between the industry and the First Nations in the North.

The summit was held at the Days Inn in Timmins and is expected to become an annual event. Hodgson said the financial investments in the mining sector and the long-term job opportunities are unmatched by any other sector in the province at this time.

Act now or miss out on [mining] opportunities, Hodgson warns [First Nations] – by Ryan Lux (Timmins Daily Press – October 26, 2011)

October 26, 2011

The Daily Press, the city of Timmins newspaper.

Two-day mining summit kicks off in Timmins

First Nations in Ontario’s Far North need to lobby government to cut down the time it takes for a mine to be approved by half or risk missing out on what could be the last chance to profit from the ore under their traditional territories. That was the message Ontario Mining Association president Chris Hodgson delivered to an audience at the Mining Ready Summit in Timmins Tuesday night.

“There’s this sense that the minerals are in the ground and will be valuable whenever we get around to developing them, but the fact is they might not be worth anything by then,” Hodgson said.

He pointed to research which shows commodity prices have been declining since the late 19th century, except for in times of great demographic change, like mass industrialization of the U.S., and the reconstruction efforts following both world wars.

Let’s hear from the 2011 OMA So You Think You Know Mining winners

October 24, 2011

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.

As the Ontario Mining Association prepares to officially launch the fourth edition of its high school video competition So You Think You Know Mining, we thought it might be a good idea to hear from some of the 2011 winners. The SYTYKM winners are an accomplished group of students who have benefitted from participation in this OMA film making initiative.

The winner in the Best Overall category in 2011, which carried a $5,000 prize, was Amanda Ceniti from Georgetown District High School for “Mining: A Musical.” In an e-mail sent to us at the OMA, she said “I am truly honoured to be a SYTYKM winner. It is a really great idea for a competition and being a part of it was a lot of fun.”

“I am using my award money for university tuition. I am specializing in neuroscience at the University of Toronto and taking a minor in music history and culture,” she said. “I am very excited to start this new chapter in my life.”

Ontario Mining Association welcomes “new” mines minister

October 21, 2011

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 would like to offer its congratulations – and re-congratulations – to the province’s new Minister of Northern Development and Mines Rick Bartolucci. Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty had his new Cabinet sworn in yesterday. This is the first Cabinet appointments following the October 6 election.

The new Cabinet is trimmed down to 22 and all members are familiar faces. Mr. Bartolucci, who represents the riding of Sudbury, was elected for a fifth term of office. He previously served as Minister of Northern Development and Mines from 2003 to 2007 before handling other portfolios — Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing and Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services. This time around he has the additional duty of being Chair of Cabinet.

Mr. Bartolucci understands mining and Northern Ontario and the OMA looks forward to working with him again to promote and encourage the responsible development of the province’s mineral resources to benefit all Ontarians.

OMA President is keynote speaker at mining/Aboriginal summit in Timmins

October 19, 2011

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 President Chris Hodgson will be the keynote speaker at the Mining Ready Summit: Preparing Aboriginal Communities for Mining-Related Business Opportunities in Timmins. This event is being hosted by Nishnawbe Aski Development Fund on October 25 and 26, 2011 at the Days Inn Conference Centre.

The summit is expected to attract more than 150 key mineral sector people, contractors, mine supply and service company representatives, Aboriginal business owners and First Nations community leaders. The goal of the gathering is to help prepare Aboriginal communities for mining related business opportunities. It is hoped participants will bring new knowledge, lessons learned and best practices to the summit and communicate effectively with participants.

Mr. Hodgson is the keynote speaker at the dinner on October 25. He will share the OMA’s vision for the future of mining in Ontario. Global economic forces such as urbanization and the continued developmental paths of nations such as China and India are providing this province with a window of opportunity to meet a lengthy anticipated period of high demand for commodities Ontario can produce.

Ontario Mining Association sets the date for the first post-election Meet the Miners event for November 30

October 19, 2011October 18, 2011

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

Following close on the heels of the recent provincial election, which resulted in a minority government, the Ontario Mining Association will be holding its Meet the Miners event on Wednesday, November 30, 2011 at the Sutton Place Hotel in Toronto. This is the second Meet the Miners hosted by the OMA in 2011 with the earlier celebration of mining being held on Monday, March 28, before the event was shifted to a regular fall time slot.

“While we are still awaiting news on legislative business such as the appointment of a new speaker and a new cabinet by the government, including the Minister of Northern Development and Mines, we feel it is important to move forward with this opportunity to communicate the importance of the mineral sector to Ontarians,” said OMA President Chris Hodgson. “During the recent election campaign, the Liberals, Progressive Conservatives and NDP all included important and constructive positions on mining in their platforms.”

Details still need to be finalized but the day will include an OMA board meeting in the morning, a luncheon with a keynote speaker, who ideally would be the newly appointed mines minister, recognition of the industry and the OMA and its members in the Legislature, team meetings with cabinet ministers and opposition leaders and a reception from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Sutton Place Hotel. Invitations for various components of the day will be distributed electronically in the near future.