Ontario Mining Association – Page 7

NEWS RELEASE: Commodity expert provides outlook for OMA members’ products

June 11, 2013

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.

Commodity expert Patricia Mohr delivered two primary messages to Ontario Mining Association directors recently – China continues to supplant the United States as the main driver of the global economy and the Canadian economy would benefit from new pipelines for oil and gas. Ms Mohr, Scotiabank Vice President of Economics and Commodity Market Specialist, was the featured speaker at a recent OMA board of directors meeting. Her address was titled “Metal Prices, Currencies and Global Growth.”

“China is all dominant in the commodity markets. It would get the gold medal for economic growth around the world,” said Ms Mohr. “China is buying base metals at four times the rate of the United States and China is buying 45% to 50% of the world’s steel.”

These statistics are based on a blended index for nickel, copper, zinc and aluminum, which indicates China consumes 44% of the global supply of these metals and the U.S. consumes 10%. She sees China’s economic growth at 7.9% in 2013 and 8% in 2014.

“The once a decade change in leadership in China is now as important to global economic growth as the U.S. presidential election,” she said. “There have only been five leadership changes in China since Mao.” She sees this new leadership moving in a direction, which will continue development in China but in a more environmentally friendly fashion while raising living standards.

Vale VP [Kelly Strong] takes on role as OMA director – by Star Staff (Sudbury Star – June 11, 2013)

June 11, 2013

The Sudbury Star is the City of Greater Sudbury’s daily newspaper.

A Sudbury mining executive has been appointed the new chair of the board of directors of the Ontario Mining Association.

Kelly Strong, vice-president of Vale’s Ontario and U. K . operations, is the 78th chair of the association, taking over the role from another Sudburian, Marc Boissoneault, vice-president of Xstrata Nickel’s Sudbury operations.

OMA members are involved in exploration, production and processing mining resources. The OMA is one of the province’s oldest trade associations and is celebrating its 93rd anniversary this year. OMA president Chris Hodgson said Strong will add his own ideas, viewpoints and interests during his two-year term.

“The OMA and the Ontario mineral industry will benefit from the varied experience, enthusiasm and wise counsel of Kelly in his new volunteer position,” said Hodgson, a former minister of Northern Development and Mines in the Progressive Conservative government of Mike Harris.

Strong said he was “excited and humbled” to chair the association. “Ontario’s mining industry has so much to offer, and I look forward to working together with our industry partners to maximize the potential of our industry now and in the future,” he said.

OMA NEWS RELEASE: Vale’s Kelly Strong elected as the OMA’s 78th chairman

June 10, 2013

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’s Board of Directors has appointed Kelly Strong as the new chairman of the industry organization. Mr. Strong is Vice President of Vale’s Ontario and U.K. Operations. The OMA, whose members are involved in various aspects of the environmentally responsible exploration, production and processing of mineral resources in Ontario, is one of the longest serving trade organizations in the country. This year, the OMA is celebrating its 93rd anniversary.

Mr. Strong becomes the 78th chairman of the OMA. He succeeds Marc Boissonneault, Xstrata Nickel’s Vice President for Sudbury Operations. Mr. Boissonneault served in this position for three years. We thank him for his leadership and his efforts as OMA Chairman on behalf of OMA members and the entire industry.

“We greatly appreciate the dedication and direction of Mr. Boissonneault during his tenure as OMA Chairman,” said OMA President Chris Hodgson.

“During his chairmanship, mining had a positive and important presence at Queen’s Park, the membership of the OMA expanded and many of the outreach and education efforts such as the So You Think You Know Mining high school video competition gained widespread acceptance and interest.”

Ontario Mining Association’s SYTYKM video competition awards $36,500 to student film makers

April 5, 2015June 6, 2013

Best Overall Video: Christian Peters “Mining and My Community” Henry Coaster Memorial School, Ogoki Post

First Runner-Up: Clarabelle Lee “Mining Style” Don Mills Collegiate Institute, Toronto

From drama, to musicals, to stop motion animation . . . Ontario students have showcased their talents! The Ontario Mining Association this evening announced the winners of its fifth annual So You Think You Know Mining high school video competition, which challenges students to tell imaginative stories about the benefits of mining to society.

More than 130 high quality videos from across the province were evaluated by an independent panel of media professionals to determine the winning entries in 10 categories, with prize money ranging from $2,500 to $5,000. In addition, OMA member company representatives voted for the $2,500 OMA Academy Award winner in a secret ballot. There was additional recognition for honorable mentions, as well as cash prizes for participating schools. Details about the contest, as well as the winning videos can be seen at www.oma.on.ca/en/contestpages/index.asp.

OMA NEWS RELEASE: Curtain is about to be raised on 2013 SYTYKM video competition winners

April 5, 2015June 4, 2013

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 suspense is building as the kick-off for the Ontario Mining Association’s fifth high school video competition So You Think You Know Mining awards gala approaches. All will be revealed tomorrow evening. Several talented teenage filmmakers will walk off the stage with SYTYKM Oscar-style statuettes and prize money. More than 300 people are expected to be on hand at the Royal Ontario Museum for the awards ceremonies on Wednesday, June 5, 2013.

This is the fifth edition of this video production competition and $33,500 in prize money is available. “We started SYTYKM as a way to encourage arts oriented students to learn something about the importance of mining to society,” said OMA President Chris Hodgson. “It has been gratifying to see the growth in interest of SYTYKM by students and teachers and the creative quality of the videos we look forward to seeing every year. Since it started, the OMA has provided $133,000 in scholarship support for high school filmmakers.”

The producer of the Best Overall video wins $5,000 and his, or her, high school receives $500 to support filmmaking. First and Second Runners-Up for the Best Overall will receive prizes of $2,500 each. Winners in other categories including Best Writing, Best Music, Best Directing, Best Comedy, Best Animation, Best video in a language other than English, Best 30-Second Commercial, People’s Choice Award and the Award from the OMA Academy will also receive $2,500.

OMA NEWS RELEASE: Gold is much more than a medium for jewelry and money

May 29, 2013

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.

Yes, there is no denying the gold price has taken a beating lately. However, by the pure share of news it receives, there is ample evidence to show that this commodity still mesmerizes mankind. The earliest gold jewelry dates back 6,000 years. By 325 BC, the ancient Greeks were mining gold from all ends of the Mediterranean Sea. Gold fever has sent men on treks around the world to “moil for gold.” In Canada, would we have Robert Service and Pierre Berton as renowned authors if not for this precious metal?

In recent years, gold has been the target of more than 50% of global mineral exploration budgets – in excess of $9 billion was aimed at gold targets in 2011 and more than $10 billion in 2012. Closer to home, in Ontario in 2011, more than 50,600 kilograms of gold were produced with a value of about $2.5 billion. Gold has a historic monetary role. It is used as currency; it backs up currencies and people invest in it with the hopes of making more money.

Jewelry stores and vaults of central banks, financial institutions and investors show that the biggest uses for gold are as items of adornment and for monetary purposes such as coins and bars. While the use of this precious metal, which is number 79 on the periodic table, goes back thousands of years, gold is a metal that because of its valuable properties and characteristics is a metal for the future.

OMA NEWS RELEASE: Is labour market gap shortfall or opportunity for employment boom?

May 23, 2013

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 most recent report by the Mining Industry Human Resource Council (MiHR) shows that Canada’s mining sector faces a human resource challenge to attract 145,000 new workers over the next decade. “Canadian Mining Industry Employment, Hiring Requirements and Available Talent 10-year Outlook” presents, in detail, views on the economic future of the industry, its workforce requirements — and shortfalls — and suggested actions to reduce the impending labour gap.

The study bases industry employment levels on three different economic forecasts. A baseline case shows the sector with cumulative hiring requirements out to 2023 to be 145,870. The expansionary case shows labour requirements of almost 200,000 workers over the same period while a contractionary case still shows cumulative hiring requirements of 116,850 for the next decade.

The MiHR report puts employment forecasts for 66 core mining occupations under the microscope. Difficulties are foreseen due to pending high retirement rates related to the industry’s demographics as well as recognition that mining must compete with other sectors to attract and retain valuable employees. It also recognizes the remote locations of many mining operations can be a barrier.

OMA member Vale steps up environmental community communications efforts

May 17, 2013

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 recently launched a new sustainability website to share environmental information on its operations with citizens of Sudbury. The website www.valegreatersudburysustainability.com provides greater access to detailed and current information on Vale’s environmental initiatives in the Sudbury region.

The nickel producer has bumped up the level of disclosure and transparency with this website and provided the community with new channels to communicate questions, concerns and ideas to the company. This is an innovative approach to sharing information with employees, the local community and the broader public. Go ahead take a look at the site.

“Vale is committed to the long term sustainability of our operations in Sudbury, the local environment and our community,” said Angie Robson, Manager of Corporate Affairs for Vale’s Ontario Operations. “As part of that commitment, we have developed this resource for sharing information with the public about Vale’s environmental initiatives.”

The website has four main components dealing with air quality, water quality and treatment, reclamation activities and a community section. The air chapter contains information on the Clean AER (Atmospheric Emission Reduction) project and particulate control and monitoring programs.

NEWS RELEASE: OMA-CLRA symposium explores new science to reclaim historic mine sites

May 14, 2013

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 sixth annual Ontario Mine Reclamation Symposium will be applying modern science to the rehabilitation of historic mine sites. This environmental event, which is organized by the Ontario Mining Association in collaboration with the Canadian Land Reclamation Association (CLRA), is being held June 18 and 19, 2013 in Cobalt – one of the oldest mining regions in Canada.

The program for June 18 explores both the geology and history of mining in the cobalt camp and the environmental legacy of this activity. “Challenges with Developing Closure Plans for Historical Mining Areas like Cobalt-Coleman” is the title of a paper being presented by Michel Julien and Jean-Francois Doyon from Agnico-Eagle Mines, which maintains a large landholding in the area.

Another presentation, “From Tailings Basin to Aquatic Ecosystem: The ecological recovery of two waterbodies” is on the agenda. There are also talks dealing with water quality monitoring, improvements in water treatment and engineering wetland systems to manage tailings areas.

At the banquet in the evening of June 18, the Tom Peters Memorial Reclamation Award will be presented. Mr. Peters was a pioneer in the field of mine reclamation and a founding member of the CLRA, which was established in 1975. There are two components to this award – one for industry and a $5,000 bursary, which is sponsored by Vale, for a graduate student pursuing a degree in this discipline.

NEWS RELEASE: OMA member earns national safety honours — again

May 8, 2013

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.

Xstrata Copper Kidd Operations was presented with the John T. Ryan National Safety Trophy for metal mines for the 11th time. Other national winners were the Potash Corporation New Brunswick Division for select mines and Prairie Mines & Royalty Genesee Mine in Alberta in the coal category and both have been to this podium many times previously. The three winners of the John T. Ryan National Safety Trophies for 2012 have built up safety cultures at their operations which have lasted through decades of time and generations of workers.

“Winning this award again attests to our record of continually improving safety performance over many years,” said Tom Semadeni, General Manager for Xstrata Copper Kidd Operations. “It also speaks to our on-going commitment to achieving Zero Harm so that all of our employees and contractors can continue contributing to the well-being of their families and our community.”

This marks the eleventh occasion that Xstrata Copper Kidd Operations has captured this national award. Previous years as the country’s safest metal mine were 1991, 1985, 1984, 1982, 1981, 1980, 1978, 1977, 1976 and 1975. Kidd is also an 18-time winner of the Ontario regional trophy. Genesee Mine also is an 11 time winner in the coal category. Previous years it has earned the national coal trophy include 2009, 2007, 2005, 2003, 2002, 1999, 1998, 1997, 1996 and 1995.

OMA NEWS RELEASE: Miners discover some gems in provincial budget

May 3, 2013

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.

Some encouraging words for mining could be unearthed from the provincial budget “A Prosperous & Fair Ontario.” The first budget of the province’s Finance Minister Charles Sousa was presented yesterday at Queen’s Park.

One of the significant actions outlined in the document holds the potential to give mining companies a better opportunity to control electricity costs. “The government is moving forward on the planned extension of the Northern Industrial Electricity Rate (NIER) program, which assists Northern Ontario’s largest industrial electricity consumers – and key economic contributors – to reduce energy costs for large users, supporting their employees, families and communities and maintaining global competitiveness.”

“The program was first announced in March 2010 for a three-year period and the province is extending the NIER program by investing an additional $360 million over three years – starting in 2013-2014,” said the budget document. “Its three-year extension will continue to support growth and development in northern resource sectors such as forestry and mining.”

The Finance Minister also announced infrastructure investments of $35 billion over the next three years. These investments, which are to be in transportation, health care and education, will support 100,000 jobs each year. This included “a new dedicated fund to help small, rural and Northern municipalities address roads, bridges and other critical infrastructure.”

NEWS RELEASE: Commodity expert to share her wisdom with OMA directors

May 1, 2013

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.

Patricia Mohr, Scotiabank Vice President of Economics and Commodity Market Specialist, will be the featured speaker at the Ontario Mining Association’s annual meeting and board of directors meeting on June 5, 2013. Given the current swings in commodity markets and economic volatility around the world, a perspective from this leading and globally respected economist will be timely.

Earlier this year, Ms Mohr received the 2012 Metal Bulletin Apex awards for the top gold and overall precious metals price forecasts throughout the year. These awards are presented to the most accurate forecasters of precious and base metals prices. Ms. Mohr’s gold forecast was estimated with 99%-plus accuracy.

“It is truly an honour to be recognized by Metal Bulletin and to be among the few overall winners for the Apex award,” said Ms Mohr when accepting the trophy. “This success is a tribute to Scotiabank’s leading position in financing the global mining industry and in making a market in gold and precious metals.”

She developed the Scotiabank Commodity Price Index, which was the first yardstick designed to measure price trends for Canadian commodities in export markets. This benchmark was first introduced in 1987. It is a U.S. dollar based index specifically designed to track commodity prices and global markets of interest to Canadian resource producers and Canadians.

NEWS RELEASE: Northwest Ontario communities extend welcome mat to responsible mining

April 26, 2013

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 recently released detailed study shows that municipalities in Northwestern Ontario are receptive to and welcoming of responsible mineral development and the benefits it can provide. “Advantage Northwest Mining Readiness Strategy” (MRS) shows that projected mine development can create 10,000 jobs and between $1 billion and $1.5 billion in economic revenue to the area annually over the next decade.

Much of the work involved in the MRS examines 10 mining projects – nine advanced exploration projects and one mine expansion. It also examines spin-off activities. “From the discussion, it is evident that there is massive potential for current as well as prospective new supply services to enter or expand their involvement in the mining supply chain and achieve substantial growth.”

The projects on which the MRS is based are mineral developments of several Ontario Mining Association members. They include Goldcorp, Cliffs Natural Resources, Noront Resources, Rainy River Resources, Rubicon Minerals, Claude Resources, Osisko Resources, Stillwater Mining Canada and North American Palladium.

NEWS RELEASE: Ontario miners pay their fair share of taxes

April 25, 2013

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 reduced mineral demand and commodity prices at the forefront of business news, the Ontario budget to be tabled next Thursday will want to look at the competitiveness of Ontario’s mining industry. Temporary dips in prices are an expected part of the cyclical nature of mining. However, policy and program stability and continuity from the provincial government can go a long way to ensuring the industry continues to thrive.

Government support for mining in this way seems to be working. The province continues to attract the largest share of mineral exploration investment dollars in Canada, employment is rising and new projects are under development. Yet, it cannot be stated often enough that the prices for Ontario’s mineral commodities are set in international markets. Miners are price takers. They cannot raise the prices of the goods they sell, so they must put a lot of energy into cost control.

A tremendous amount of upfront capital and long-term planning are required in mine expansions and new development. These decisions require confidence that the government places a priority on mining and that governmental actions will be consistent. Now is the time for the government to stay the course with regards to cost pressures affecting the mining sector.