Ontario Mining Association – Page 16

Ontario Mining Association helps get teachers back to school for mining education

July 28, 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 will be one of the presenters at the second annual Teachers’ Mining Tour, which is being held at the Canadian Ecology Centre near Mattawa. Thirty teachers from across the province will participate in the educational workshop being held August 15 to 19, 2011.

The goal is to help educators learn more about the realities of modern, high tech, solution-providing, environmentally responsible mining in Ontario. The Teachers’ Mining Tour is a professional development program for Ontario teachers and teachers in training. Teachers taking the course will be able to earn a component of their Environmental Science Additional Qualification through Nipissing University and the Ontario College of Teachers.

During the week, Lesley Hymers, OMA Environment and Education Specialist, will be making presentations on OMA education and outreach initiatives such as the So You Think You Know Mining high school video competition and the OMA’s collaboration with Skills Canada Ontario, which promotes trades and technologies as career options for students.

Symbol of Ontario legislative authority goes on a summer vacation to the James Bay coast

November 5, 2015July 20, 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 ceremonial Mace from the Ontario Legislature, which is adorned with two diamonds from De Beers Canada’s Victor Mine near Attawapiskat, went on a summer vacation earlier this month. This symbol of authority at Queen’s Park made its first trip outside the Legislature since 1867 and toured the Victor Mine and communities on the James Bay coast.

The first and second diamonds mined, cut and polished in Ontario, which were donated by De Beers Canada, were encrusted in the Mace when it was refurbished in 2009. Accompanying the Mace on its rare summer vacation were Speaker of the Ontario Legislature Steve Peters, his Sergeant-at-Arms, Queen’s Park officials and the local MPP for Timmins-James Bay Gilles Bisson.

“Visiting the Victor Mine was an excellent opportunity to bring the diamonds, which grace the Ontario Legislature’s Mace, back to the people who mined them and the First Nations whose lands the diamonds came from,” said Mr. Peters, who also served as Ontario’s Minister of Labour from 2005 to 2007. “The health and safety practiced by De Beers is commendable and something every organization and company should aspire to attain.”

Ontario gold producer Wesdome’s expansion supports new opportunities in Algoma

July 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.

Like people, mine developments come in all shapes and sizes. They are diverse. Gold producer Wesdome’s recently announced re-starting of its Mishi Pit near Wawa on a year-round basis is an example that proves even small operations can offer major positive contributions to host communities.

Wesdome recently had its amended closure plan for the Mishi open pit approved, which gave the green light to expanding production from the Mishi pit to a 12-month-a-year operation. Ore from the Mishi surface mine will be shipped two kilometres to the Eagle River Mill and mine complex.

The initial five year expansion plan will boost Eagle River production by 1,000 ounces of gold per month and the $48 million expenditure for labour and equipment will be a boost to Wawa. Donovan Pollitt, Wesdome President and Chief Executive Officer, says the expansion will lead to 16 new people being hired at the mine and a second shift will be run at the mill. He added that a contractor has been hired to drill, blast and haul the ore to the mill and it is expected 10 to 15 people will be added to its payroll for this project.

OMA member Sifto Canada helps upgrade town of Goderich’s infrastructure — and future prospects

July 8, 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 member Sifto Canada is joining forces with the Town of Goderich and the Goderich Port Management Corp. in a public-private partnership to expand and enhance the local port. The three parties have signed a memorandum of understanding for the anticipated $47 million project.

The plan envisions the creation of six hectares of new industrial land at the harbour, new docks for ships carrying salt, aggregate and agricultural products, new storage facilities, repairs to existing port infrastructure and the installation of new breakwalls. The project will create more than 500 construction jobs. The plan will be finalized following the completion of satisfactory environmental assessments, engineering studies and feasibility evaluations.

The Goderich port improvement project will be funded through a $15.7 million grant from the provincial government, funds from the Goderich Port Management Corp.’s major maintenance account and port usage fees. Sifto is expected to pay about $19 million in additional port usage fees over a five year period.

Where is our share? [Mining Taxes] – by Kate McLaren (Timmins Daily Press – July 6, 2011)

July 6, 2011

The Daily Press is the newspaper of record for the city of Timmins.

Northern leaders seek mining tax revenue

Communities in Northern Ontario are looking for a piece of the pie when it comes to taxes generated from the mining industry.

“When you look at the resource-based industry, it’s important we are able to build some sort of a legacy from our mining resources,” explained Timmins mayor and Federation of Northern Ontario Municipalities (FONOM) vice-president Tom Laughren.

“We are struggling for infrastructure and capital dollars, when the provincial and federal governments are benefiting from this mining tax.” FONOM is calling for an equitable share of the rich mining tax revenue currently collected by the provincial government, which have totalled more than half a billion dollars over the past five years.

[FONOM] Groups want cut of mining tax – by Carol Mulligan (Sudbury Star – July 6, 2011)

July 6, 2011

The Sudbury Star, the City of Greater Sudbury’s daily newspaper. cmulligan@thesudburystar.com

The subject of mining taxes may not be on the minds of Sudburians in these long, hot days of summer.

But the president of an organization looking out for 110 municipalities, including Sudbury, says mining taxation hits northern residents right where it hurts — on their property tax bills.

The Federation of Northern Ontario Federation of Municipalities says the Government of Ontario has collected more than $500 million in Ontario Mining Tax revenue in the last five years, and that money is all leaving the North.

Kapuskasing mayor and FONOM president Alan Spacek said this is a “very good time” to ask candidates running in the Oct. 6 provincial election. “It has a real impact on the average homeowner-taxpayer,” said Spacek.

NEWS RELEASE: Northern Ontario Communities Seek Share of Mining Tax

July 6, 2011

Federation of Northern Ontario Municipalities (FONOM): www.fonom.org

Date published: Tuesday, July 5, 2011

Northern municipalities want an equitable share of the rich mining tax revenue currently collected by the provincial government. The Province has collected over half a billion dollars in Ontario Mining Tax revenue over the past 5 years.

Alan Spacek, President of the Federation of Northern Ontario Municipalities (FONOM) stated, “Northern Ontario is a vast storehouse of mineral wealth. In recent years, Northern Ontario has returned record levels of revenue to the provincial government. Northern Ontario is once again a major economic contributor.”

Tom Laughren, Vice President of FONOM and Mayor of Timmins noted, “Unfortunately for Northern municipalities, much of the wealth generated by mining leaves the region in the form of corporate profits, Federal and Provincial corporate income tax, and resource specific taxes or fees such as the Ontario Mining Tax. This has created significant hardship for all Northerners. We are facing increasing cost pressures related to the provision of vital local services and an additional source of revenue would be of great benefit to our people.”

Dumas Contracting and Goldcorp graduate more First Nations miners

June 30, 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 members Dumas Contracting and Goldcorp facilitated the training and graduation of eight First Nations residents from a four month training program recently. All graduates will be starting work with either Dumas or Goldcorp. The ceremony in Timmins followed the recent mining academy graduation of six students at the Young-Davidson mine near Kirkland Lake involving Dumas and Northgate Minerals.

The training in Timmins was carried out by Dumas in a partnership program with Wabun Tribal Council, the Matachewan Aboriginal Access to Mine Jobs Training Strategy (MAATS) and Goldcorp. Steve LaRocque (Matachewan First Nation) graduated as a heavy duty mechanic apprentice and Natasha Lefebre (Metis affiliation) completed her orientation as a human resources assistant.

The other six graduates completed training in basic underground mining – Courtney Batisse and Paul Denomme (Matachewan First Nation), Steve Denomme (Matachewan First Nation affiliate), Jean Loiselle (Mattagami First Nation), Paul Minarik (Mattagami First Nation affiliate) and David Tookate (Attawapiskat First Nation).

OMA member Barrick Gold makes multi-million dollar contribution to global health

June 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.

Ontario Mining Association member Barrick Gold and the Family of the late Greg Wilkins, former company president, have donated $5.5 million to advance global health. Toronto General and Western Hospital Foundation will be using this gift to combat brain diseases and improve medical training for surgeons and nurses in developing countries.

Mr. Wilkins was President and Chief Executive Officer at Barrick from 2003 to 2008. He started with the company in 1981 and helped transform it into the world’s largest gold producer. Mr. Wilkins held an executive position with another corporation for several years in the late 1990s up until 2003. He passed away in December 2009 at the age of 53 after losing his battle with cancer.

The donation, which was first announced earlier this year, has several components. They include the Greg Wilkins Chair in International Surgery, which will oversee research and training for doctors and nurses in developing countries. Dr. Mark Bernstein, a neurosurgeon at Toronto Western Hospital, who performed brain surgery on Mr. Wilkins as part of his care team, was appointed to this position last week. Dr. Bernstein has described Mr. Wilkins as “extremely courageous.” Toronto Western Hospital is a world leader in the treatment of and research on diseases of the brain and spinal cord.

Ontario Mining Association (OMA) members partner to help train, graduate and hire First Nations employees

June 16, 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 is the largest private sector employer of Aboriginals in Canada. Aboriginals
represent 7.5% of the mining workforce. Between 1996 and 2006, there was a 43%
increase in the number of Aboriginals employed in the mineral sector rising from
2,600 to more than 4,500. In the five years since 2006, this number has increased
significantly as more mining exploration and development takes place in areas
close to Aboriginal communities. (OMA)

Six First Nation members, who graduated recently from an underground miner training program, have found instant employment with Ontario Mining Association members Northgate Minerals and Dumas Contracting. A partnership between these companies and the Matachewan First Nation under the Matachewan Aboriginal Access to Mine Jobs Training Strategy (MAATS) created these employment opportunities.

The second group of graduates under this MAATS program included David Batisse, Dustin Roy, John Cloutier and Chad Larkman from the Matachewan First Nation, Katlin Maurer from Beaverhouse First Nation and Kohl Porter of the Mattagami First Nation. Three of the graduates have been hired by Northgate Minerals and three have been hired by Dumas Contracting.

The world will hear more in the future from these OMA video competition winners

June 3, 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 awards ceremony on June 1 for the Ontario Mining Association’s high school video competition So You Think You Know Mining highlighted the creativity and talent of a multitude of students from different parts of the province. Their productions gave the audience at the Royal Ontario Museum for the ceremony a glimpse of the potential for the future success of these young film makers.

So what does an operetta about mining, a mock press conference, a rap song, a demonstration on the uses of rare earth elements, a local mining deal carried out in Bengali, a parody of the Terry Tate linebacker skits, an animation where MiningMan saves the world, a guided tour of Timmins, a philosophical discussion on the complexity of the world and an exploration of mineral industry careers have in common?

The producers of those videos all walked off the stage with SYTYKM statues and cheques in recognition of their hard work and videographic talents. Topping the list as the Best Overall winner was Amanda Ceniti from Georgetown District High School for “Mining: A Musical.”

Ontario students adapt video game skills to mining technology

May 11, 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 lineup of students was always long at the Sandvik double boom jumbo mining drill simulator during Skills Canada Ontario’s 22nd annual technological skills competition. The event, which was held earlier this week at the RIM Park Complex in Waterloo, attracted more than 31,000 students, teachers and parents. The competitions themselves saw more than 1,800 high school and community college students vying for top prizes in 63 contest events ranging from heavy equipment maintenance to computer design to electrical diagnostics and culinary skills and hairstyling.

The Ontario Mining Association and its members participated in the competition through running career awareness workshops and supportive exhibits. Peter Larsen and Tom White from Sandvik manned the ever-popular drill simulator. This highly interactive and realistic training equipment was a welcome attraction for students who enjoyed testing their video game skills on the tasks of operating underground mining equipment.

Supporting Lesley Hymers of the OMA with the mining exhibits were Tonia Oldford and Godfrey Desmoulin from Barrick Hemlo Mines, Don Rivera and Andre Cousteils from Sifto Salt, Michael Bartch and Allison Bawden from Canadian Salt in Windsor and Louise Turcotte from the Federated School of Mines and Cambrian College.

Voting begins for Ontario Mining Association’s SYTYKM People’s Choice Award

May 4, 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 Canadian federal election is not the only polling that will be taking place today. The on-line voting for the Ontario Mining Association’s So You Think You Know Mining (SYTYKM) high school video competition’s People’s Choice Award started May 1 and runs until midnight May 31.

Sixty videos, or about 75% of the total number of entries in this year’s SYTYKM competition, are in the running. Go to the OMA website www.oma.on.ca and click on the SYTYKM box. Then click on the People’s Choice Award panel. You can view the videos and cast your ballot electronically.

In order to complete the mechanics of voting, no pencil or paper is required. Click below your favourite video where it says “Vote for this video!” Then check your e-mail box for a confirmation message from the OMA and click on the link provided. This not only completes the voting process but it will ensure you are entered in the random draw to win an iPod.

OMA member Vale makes lasting conservation commitment

May 2, 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.

Community leaders, environmentalists, painters and award-winning folk singers all applauded the announcement by Ontario Mining Association member Vale to surrender portions of its aggregate license near Willisville, located south of Espanola. The subsequent result is that historic Willisville Mountain will be untouched by the company’s future operations in the area.

“Willisville Mountain is an area rich in beauty and even richer in history,” said Jon Treen, General Manager of Vale’s Ontario Operations. “It is an iconic landmark that should remain undisturbed and Vale is committed to the ongoing stewardship of the area.”

Vale and predecessor company Inco have operated a quarry in the area since the middle of the past century, which supplies silica to the nickel producer’s smelting operations in nearby Sudbury. “On behalf of the residents of Willisville, the LaCloche Mountains Preservation Society and their many supporters, I applaud Vale on their leadership and resolve to save the pristine wilderness,” said Jon Butler, President of the La Cloche Mountain Preservation Society and Willisville resident.