Ontario Mining Association – Page 2

NEWS RELEASE: OMA JOINS COALITION URGING GOVERNMENT TO PROTECT THE ECONOMY AND JOBS UNDER NEW PENSION PLAN

June 2, 2015

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.

(June 2, 2015) The Ontario Mining Association, and a coalition of major Ontario employers under the leadership of the Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC), are calling on the provincial government to broaden its definition of a comparable pension plan under the Ontario Retirement Pension Plan (ORPP).

In a letter addressed to Premier Kathleen Wynne, the coalition of more than 150 organizations is urging the government to expand its definition of pension plan comparability to include capital accumulation plans, including (but not limited to) Defined Contribution plans. This move would ensure that companies in the province that have an existing pension plan for their employees would not be forced to incur this new cost of doing business, thus undermining the province’s economic competitiveness.

Set for introduction in 2017, the ORPP will require employees and employers to contribute 1.9% each (3.8% combined) on an employee’s annual earnings up to $90,000. Employers who offer ‘comparable’ workplace savings plans will be exempt from contributing to the ORPP.

Timmins student recognized for cinematography work by Ontario Mining Association – by Alan S. Hale (Timmins Daily Press – June 1, 2015)

June 1, 2015

The Daily Press is the city of Timmins broadsheet newspaper.

He hasn’t even graduated high school yet, but Francis Huot has already two awards for filmmaking awards under his belt.

Last week, the École Secondaire Theriault student was in Toronto accepting a So You Think You Know Mining Award from the Ontario Mining Association for a short film he made. There were several different categories at the awards, but Huot was recognized for having the best cinematography out of all the videos submitted.

The video Huot is simple but impactful. The visuals of the two-minute-long video are a black-and-white montage of mining machinery and shafts inside GorldCorp’s Dome Mine in Timmins.

“We got permission to go down into the mine and take some shots,” explained Huot. “It was very cool. It’s not every day you get an opportunity to take shots like that.”

NEWS RELEASE: ONTARIO HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS & TEACHERS AWARDED OVER $42,000 IN CASH PRIZES AT ROYAL ONTARIO MUSEUM

May 29, 2015

Best Overall Entry: Women, The Future and Mining – by Marika Moskalyk, Marymount Academy, Sudbury

To view all the winning entries, click here: http://sytykm.oma.on.ca/peopleschoice/awardwinners?year=2015&utm_source=2015+SYTYKM+news+release&utm_campaign=SYTYKM+winners+announced&utm_medium=email

TORONTO, Ontario – The Ontario Mining Association today announced the winners of 7th annual So You Think You Know Mining video competition, which challenges students to tell imaginative stories about the benefits of mining to society.

Nearly 300 videos from across the province were evaluated by an independent panel of media and mining professionals to determine the winning entries in nine award categories, with prize money ranging from $2,500 to $5,000, and each winning video earning a $500 bonus for the contestant’s school. In addition, the public voted online to select the winner of the $2,500 People’s Choice Award.

ONTARIO MINING ASSOCIATION NEWS RELEASE: Looking Beneath the Surface – How Mining Taxes Benefit Ontario

May 12, 2015

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.

When assessing provincial revenues from mining, one must take into account that Ontario’s mining tax is really just the tip of the proverbial iceberg with regards to the sector’s economic contribution to the province. Mining tax is paid on top of all corporate taxes, payroll taxes, sales taxes, permitting fees and other business taxes. When added up, Ontario mining companies’ tax contributions to all levels of government are more than $1 billion annually, which pays for necessities such as roads, schools, hospitals, community centres, electrical grid access for remote communities, and other public good priorities. The value of mineral production in Ontario was $11 billion in 2014.

All jurisdictions must balance the need for capital investment to develop their mineral resources with the desire to increase revenue through higher taxation. There are many models for meeting this challenge – in Ontario, we don’t risk the taxpayer funding up front by paying for infrastructure and offering competitive hydro rates. Instead, we require mining companies to take on the risk, and subsequently offer tax breaks when the project is up and running, employing and spending.

Benchmarking the cost to mine in Ontario, therefore, requires “apples to apples” comparisons. Jurisdictions with higher mining tax rates have lower electricity prices and government cost-sharing on infrastructure. A recent report indicates that exploration and mining costs are particularly inflated in the North, where companies need to invest in lacking, but essential infrastructure such as ports, power plants, winter and permanent roads, and accommodation facilities.

NEWS RELEASE: TRIBUTE TO KELLY STRONG, OUTGOING CHAIRMAN

April 29, 2015

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.

This week marks the end of the Ontario Mining Association Chairmanship for Kelly Strong. On behalf of our 86 member companies, we would like to express our gratitude, and applaud his commitment to fostering a resilient and effective association.

Kelly’s leadership is characterized by pragmatic thinking, a commitment to enhancing the credibility of our sector and to building constructive relationships at Queen’s Park. He has been particularly passionate about issues related to mine safety, promoting a competitive energy policy, and communicating with the public through initiatives such as So You Think You Know Mining.

Kelly also championed the need to redouble our efforts to share safety practices among member companies. He feels strongly that OMA committees are in the best position to learn from each other, and enabling a process to do so must be the top priority for the association.

With close to 25 years in the mining industry, Kelly began his career at Placer Dome’s Campbell Mine in Red Lake, where he was promoted to senior roles, including Chief Mine Engineer and Mine Captain. In 2001, he joined Vale, most recently serving as Vice President of the company’s Ontario and United Kingdom Operations.

NEWS RELEASE: OMA member Vale employees dig deep to support their communities

January 13, 2015

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 numbers are in and the joint fundraising campaign by nickel and copper miner Vale and the United Steelworkers brought in more than $865,000 for the United Way Centraide Sudbury and Nipissing Districts. Vale matches donations by its employees and this cooperative fundraising effort is the largest single contributor to the United Way in Sudbury.

“Vale employees are very committed to the communities in which they live and work,” said Kelly Strong, Vice President Canada and U.K. Operations for Vale. “Their ongoing generosity is incredible and something we can all be very proud of.”

This year’s effort, which surpassed the $865,000 mark, represents a 20% increase above last year’s campaign. “It never ceases to amaze me every year, USW Local 6500 members dig deep in their pockets to help those in need,” said Rick Bertrand, President USW Local 6500. “Their kindness, compassion and commitment is truly remarkable.”

“I would like to personally thank Vale and United Steelworkers for the overwhelming support provided over the past 32 years,” said Mike Di Brina, Sudbury United Way Campaign Chair. “To know that approximately $16 million have flowed into our community through the United Way is beyond what anyone could expect from one group.”

NEWS RELEASE: Could demolition of Sudbury’s superstack signify environmental progress?

November 21, 2014

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.

Imagine Paris without the Eiffel Tower, Seattle without its Space Needle and Kuala Lumpur minus the Petronas Towers on the skyline. Now, try to imagine Sudbury without the Superstack! Okay these may not be structures designed for similar functions but they do cast a shadow over their cities, the psyches of their residents and how the rest of the world views them.

Recently, it was widely reported that Kelly Strong, Vice President of Ontario and U.K. Operations for mining giant Vale, told the Greater Sudbury Chamber of Commerce that his company was assessing the possibility of no longer requiring the 1,250 foot tall Superstack. It was built by Vale predecessor company Inco for an estimated cost in 1970 of $25 million. Construction started on the tallest smoke stack in Canada in 1970 and it was first operational in 1972.

The purpose of this structure was to disperse sulphur dioxide emissions and other waste from the nickel and copper smelter process. It was considered to be the right thing to do environmentally at that time. So the possibility of its dismantling must be a good sign environmentally, right?

“Given the tremendous reduction in emissions and change in our processes, we are working to figure out if we should continue to use the current 1,250 foot stack, or build something much smaller,” said Mr. Strong at the Greater Sudbury Chamber of Commerce event.

NEWS RELEASE: Season seven SYTYKM offers more money, more prize categories and more support for schools

April 5, 2015November 4, 2014

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.

Season seven of the Ontario Mining Association’s high school video competition So You Think You Know Mining has officially been opened. Entries are now being accepted on line. This year’s competition offers more money, more prize categories and more support for schools.

The prize money available has been increased to $42,500. A new category – Best Cinematography – is also being offered. This new award will recognize the most effective use of the camera by a contestant. Think camera angles, cuts and lighting. In addition, this year to offer more support to educators, $500 will be provided to the schools of each winning entry.

“Video equipment and video production software comes with a cost,” said OMA President Chris Hodgson. “We wanted to find a way to offer more assistance to schools and their audio-visual, communications technology and visual arts classes. We hope this new $500 school prize bonus will encourage and support educators involved in SYTYKM.”

SYTYKM is supported by comprehensive web-based resources and a social media network that includes Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Pinterest. Contest details, video upload instructions, production ideas and past winning entries are all available on the OMA website at http://www.oma.on.ca.

NEWS RELEASE: Who will win in the resource revolution?

October 31, 2014

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.

Unless Canadian mining companies do a better job of controlling their costs, they won’t be able to maximize benefits from the global resource revolution, cautioned a leading business consultant. Robert Samek, a director of McKinsey & Company and lead on its Canadian mineral and energy practice, was a keynote speaker at an Ontario Mining Association board of directors meeting earlier this week.

The title of Mr. Samek’s presentation was “Canada’s competitive position in the resource revolution.” “Canadian miners need to figure out how to make the most of that revolution,” he said. Despite short term price fluctuations, he foresees a huge increase in the demand for minerals.

“It took the U.K. 150 years to double its GDP. It took Japan 33 years to double its GDP. Now, China and India are doing that in 10 to 15 years,” said Mr. Samek. “This pace of change is unprecedented. It is a middle class explosion.”

He estimates to size of the middle class consuming society on a global scale to triple between 2010 and 2030. “There is a continuing march to urban centres,” he said. “People are not going to be middle class living on the farm.”

NEWS RELEASE: Miners launch successful one-day friendly invasion of Queen’s Park

October 29, 2014

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.

Scores of company representatives from Ontario Mining Association member companies constructively presented their industry’s attributes and contributions to politicians, staff and public servants in the province’s main political arena yesterday. There was a full day of activities helping to bring mining from around the province to Queen’s Park. “The theme today is Mining Builds Communities,” said OMA President Chris Hodgson.

At an evening reception, Michael Gravelle, Minister of Northern Development and Mines, said “Meet the Miners is a long standing tradition for all those who care about the mining industry in Ontario and it has been a tremendous day. Mining is important to the economy and communities.”

Mr. Gravelle referred to the recently released OMA gold mine study “An Au-thentic Opportunity: The economic impacts of a new gold mine in Ontario” in his address. There are impressive statistics in the new OMA gold mine study and it provides an opportunity to educate the positive impact of mining.”

Interim Progressive Conservative Leader Jim Wilson said “I am pleased to meet with the representatives of your Association. We want to make Ontario one of the best mining jurisdictions in the world and we know you want greater predictability and support on electricity pricing and skilled trades development.”

News Release: Golden rule: Every new mine would improve Ontario’s finances

October 21, 2014

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.

Just one new gold mine in Ontario could provide more than 2,200 direct and indirect jobs and pay more than $102 million in tax revenue for all levels of government annually, according to a new study “An Au-thentic Opportunity: The Economic Impacts of a New Gold Mine in Ontario.” University of Toronto economists Peter Dungan and Steve Murphy presented the key findings of their report, which was completed for the Ontario Mining Association with assistance from the Ministry of Northern Development and Mines, today.

“With the increased value and relative importance of gold mining production in the province in recent years, as well as the number of announced projects currently the pipeline, it was decided that the impact of a gold mine would be the subject of our analysis,” said Mr. Dungan. “This study also recognizes the scope for the possible benefits that can be realized by Aboriginal groups.”

The four-pronged study demonstrates the positive economic impacts on an annual basis for both an underground and an open pit gold mine and for both types of operations during an estimated three-year construction phase of a new mine and the production phase of these mines, which could last for decades. The economists have used broad sources of public data, mining company disclosure documents and economic models from the Input-Output Division at Statistics Canada.

For example, an underground gold mine with about $300 million in sales annually with 620 direct employees, would create 894 jobs from mine supply companies and a further 690 induced jobs largely in the retail and service sector.

NEWS RELEASE: Antipodean version of Ontario Mining Association’s SYTYKM celebrates its first winners

April 5, 2015October 14, 2014

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 e-mail received recently from the Land Down Under has served as a reminder that the launch of season seven of the Ontario Mining Association high school video competition So You Think You Know Mining is just around the corner. “Inspired by your initiative, South Australia’s first Dirt TV winners have been announced. I am sure you’ll enjoy the winning entry,” said SACOME (South Australian Chamber of Mines and Energy) in the e-mail message.

The 2014-2015 version of SYTYKM will be offering prize money of $42,500 to Ontario high school film makers, up from $40,000 in season six. The deadline for entries is being set at March 30, 2015. Watch the OMA website www.oma.on.ca. Further details will be provided soon.

Now back to the Southern Hemisphere. Earlier this year, Jason Kuchel, Chief Executive of SACOME, said that on a visit to Toronto he was so impressed with SYTYKM that he knew he had to adopt it at home.

“The SYTYKM competition’s growth over recent years is remarkable and truly inspirational,” added Mr. Kuchel. “The competition works on so many levels, including building community awareness of the benefits of the sector, increasing understanding of career opportunities among high school children and addressing the science and arts curriculums with a practical, real-world example that is also a lot of fun.”

NEWS RELEASE: Preliminary mining safety review panel report initiates early actions

September 16, 2014

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 Ministry of Labour Mining Health, Safety and Prevention Review’s progress report, which was released last week, is already leading to changes making positive impacts on mining health and safety. This panel started work in January 2014 with the target date for the release of a final report planned for early 2015.

Ontario Chief Prevention Officer George Gritziotis is leading the review, along with Fergus Kerr, industry co-chair, and John Perquin, labour co-chair. Key initiatives, which have been enacted upon already, include guidance on high visibility safety apparel by mine workers, updating joint health and safety committee certification training and advancing research.

Over the past six months, the review has held 12 public consultations, in which more than 150 people participated, and it has received more than 60 written submissions. In the key issues section of the progress report, it states “At public consultations and in written submissions, the Internal Responsibility System (IRS) was the most discussed topic. Stakeholders are unanimous in their view that an effective IRS is key to safe workplaces.”

Other Mining Health, Safety and Prevention Review panel members include Roger Emdin, Manager of Sustainable Development for Glencore’s Sudbury Operations, and Mike Bond, Chair of USW/Vale Safety, Health and Environment Executive Committee.

NEWS RELEASE: Best wishes to Ontario mine rescue champs entering international competition

September 3, 2014

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.

Let’s all hope Ontario’s 2014 mine rescue winners from Vale Canada’s East Mines find success at the ninth international mine rescue competition being held in Poland. The group from Vale, which includes Sudbury captain Lorne Plouffe, Will Davies, Justin Whitmore, Jonathan Hamilton, Fred Pelletier, Aime Gagnon, Jean Yves Doiron, Perry Simon and Mike Johnson, won the 64th annual Ontario provincial mine rescue overall event in June in Timmins.

Now, these mine rescue volunteers are off to test their skills against teams from other countries. The event in Poland is being held from September 6 to 13, 2014 in Katowice. Past international competitions have been held in Ukraine, Australia, United States and China. The squad from Sudbury can expect to be engaged in friendly and constructive competition with similar teams from Australia, Turkey, Russia, Poland, Kazakhstan, Turkey, China and elsewhere.

Tomorrow, Vale Canada will be holding a special send off for its mine rescue team. On Thursday, September 4, at the Stobie Mine complex in Sudbury, a mine rescue demonstration, which will be followed by a barbecue, is scheduled to propel the Ontario winners across the Atlantic Ocean with good wishes into the next level of competition.

There are a number of components to the mine rescue program in Poland. Along with a simulated mine rescue, there are tests in measuring equipment, using breathing apparatus, first aid, emergency provisions and the theoretical knowledge of mine rescue.