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Ontario Mining

A golden opportunity [Northern Ontario mining] – by Jasmine Budak (Maclean’s – November 1, 2010)

Maclean’s, the most influential current affairs magazine in Canada, covers national and international politics, business, social issues and culture on a weekly basis. This article was published November 1, 2010.

The sky-high price of gold has sparked a modern-day rush to Ontario’s mining towns

With the price of gold currently hovering around US$1,300 an ounce—up 45 per cent since early 2009—Ontario’s mining towns are exhibiting the classic symptoms of a boom: inflated house prices, overbooked hotels, frantic construction, labour shortages and a collective sense of optimism after decades in a slump. Across the province’s northern gold belt, defunct mines are being revived and exploration activity has taken an almost frenzied pace, the product of gold being an investment safe haven amid global economic uncertainty and a weak U.S. dollar.

 “I’ve been here a long time,” says Brock Greenwell, statistical analyst for Ontario’s Ministry of Northern Development, Mines and Forestry. “And 2010 is looking like a record year for gold exploration. It’s unprecedented.”

There are 12 gold mines operating in Ontario, with four more slated to start production by 2012. And, with exploration expenditures for precious metals—mostly gold—expected to exceed $620 million this year in the province (compared with $389 million in 2009), it’s a safe bet that more mines will follow. “It’s an absolute boom,” says Bill Greenway, economic development officer for the municipality of Red Lake. “There are 40-plus exploration companies here at any given time.”

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Ontario students adapt video game skills to mining technology

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.

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Resource Rents, the Ring of Fire and the Future – by Livio Di Matteo

Livio Di Matteo is Professor of Economics at Lakehead University in Thunder Bay, Ontario.  Visit his new Economics Blog “Northern Economist” at http://ldimatte.shawwebspace.ca/

May 9, 2011

American historian David Potter’s book People of Plenty argued that resource abundance shaped the American attitude towards possibility and opportunity.  Abundant resources set the stage for wealth accumulation and created a society that believes that everyone can become rich through their own work and effort and that initiative and opportunity are the key to social mobility and success. 

In Canada, we also have a tradition of resource abundance but it has generated not so much an ethos of aggressive individualism but one of more government involvement in the economy.  Indeed, the resource rents from natural resources have played a role in government finance whether it was late nineteenth century Ontario’s forest sector (which generated at its peak 20-25 percent of provincial government revenues) or energy in Alberta and Newfoundland and Labrador today.

As Herb Emery and Ron Kneebone have recently written in Alberta’s Problems of Plenty (May 2011, Policy Options), in the Alberta context the main role of resource abundance and resource rents has been to augment both private and public consumption. 

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Expect strong growth, [in Northern Ontario] say bank officials – by Harold Carmichael (Sudbury Star – May 6, 2011)

The Sudbury Star, the City of Greater Sudbury’s daily newspaper. This article was published on May 6, 2011.   hcarmichael@thesudburystar.com

The immediate future looks good for the Northern Ontario and Greater Sudbury economies, the chief economist of BMO Bank of Montreal said Thursday.

“I’m going to say roughly 3% growth, continued strong growth,” said Sherry Cooper. “I wouldn’t make too much of the recent decline in commodity prices, especially for the base metals. It’s the precious metals, actually, that have taken most of the hit.

“So, from a perspective of copper, nickel and other base metals, we will not see substantial change. If anything, the prices are likely to jump up further.” Cooper said global demand for metals is strong and appears poised to stay that way.

“Much of that global demand is coming from the emerging markets. The emerging market growth is a longer-term fundamental. It’s certainly here to stay for the next decade, at least.”

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Ring of Fire needs ecosystem planning – by Julee Boan and Justin Duncan (Sudbury Star – May 6, 2011)

The Sudbury Star, the City of Greater Sudbury’s daily newspaper. This column was published on May 6, 2011.

 Julee Boan is Boreal program manager at Ontario Nature, and Justin Duncan is a staff lawyer with EcoJustice.

The Ring of Fire represents a huge economic opportunity for Ontario. But more surprisingly, it also represents a big environmental opportunity.

As perhaps one of the world’s most valuable chromite deposits, the area represents a chance to open up a whole new field for the Canadian mining industry. With global demand for minerals soaring, there’s a tremendous opportunity in the Ring of Fire to create new jobs and economic opportunities after some hard years in Northern Ontario.

The environmental opportunity is less well-known. Ring of Fire is located in the heart of one of the largest remaining intact ecosystems left on the planet. That’s a pretty astounding statement and sounds like something you would more likely hear about the Amazon.

But careful mapping of the world’s intact forests has zeroed in on the boreal forests and lowlands of Ontario’s far North as one of our last chances to protect a natural system where all the pieces are still in place and working; from wolves and caribou to millions of nesting birds and lakes jumping with fish.

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McGuinty headed out his ‘Open’ door – by John R. Hunt (North Bay Nugget – 2010)

The North Bay Nugget, established in 1907, is the daily newspaper for the northeastern Ontario community of North Bay. This column was originally published in 2010.

On the Rocks Column

Michael Gravelle’s recent trip to Timmins has convinced me that Ontario is on the verge of another political convulsion. It also reinforced my long-held conviction there is a grand plan in Toronto to close down as much of the North as possible and turn it into a park.

Gravelle is minister of Northern Development and Mines. Folk in Timmins may be forgiven if they think he is in charge of destruction and evacuation. I heard nothing in the throne speech Monday afternoon to change my mind. The Grits have high hopes for a mining development in the Northwest. The Northeast can be safely forgotten.

The McGuinty mob’s Open Ontario policy or gimmick only reflected its intellectual bankruptcy. Or perhaps it was designed by Ontario’s intellectual and cultural elite who refuse to recognize that 90% of Ontario is in what is called the North. They rarely visit it, never understand it, and view it and its residents with amused contempt.

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Mining matters to North Bay, but perhaps not to McGuinty – by John R. Hunt (North Bay Nugget – 2010)

The North Bay Nugget, established in 1907, is the daily newspaper for the northeastern Ontario community of North Bay. This column was originally published in 2010.

On the Rocks Column

Timmins is facing an economic disaster. Sudbury is still in a strike-bound mess. There is a tiny spark of good mining news not too far from North Bay but I am saving it until the end. The Timmins mess and Sudbury strike must be costing money in North Bay.

About 30 years ago I had an argument with some North Bay business types who challenged my contention that mining was important to the North Bay economy. I checked around and discovered about 800 people in the city were employed selling goods and services to the mining industry. A couple of years ago I read that it was then about 1,800.

Mining matters to North Bay. This explains why I blew my top last Thursday when I read and heard reports from Queen’s Park. A bunch of hopeful — and probably desperate — Timmins folk had gone to the big city to meet with Ontario’s beloved leader and assorted officials. McGuinty was their last hope. The Xstrata metallurgical plant is slated to close on or about May 1 and 670 jobs will go down the tube.

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Is there a maggot in the new [Ontario] Mining Act meat? – by John R. Hunt (North Bay Nugget – May, 2010)

The North Bay Nugget, established in 1907, is the daily newspaper for the northeastern Ontario community of North Bay. This column was originally published in May, 2010.

On the Rocks Column

Is there a maggot in the meat pie, a worm in the woodwork or a rat in the basement? I have that strange feeling that afflicts newspaper people when they suspect they are being conned. Smart housewives get it when an energy retailer says he will save them money.

I cheerfully admit I hope I am wrong. I am only concerned because I fear a small group I have long admired is to be flushed down the political tube.

Prospectors are my special minority and chances are that most people have never met one. By strange circumstance I have spent much time with all kinds of prospectors. I have no illusions. As a group they have the same percentage of crooks and charlatans as any other trade or profession. But they have had an incredible influence upon Canada’s development and growth.

You may have heard Michael Gravelle, the minister of Northern Development and Mines, talking about changes to the Mining Act. Everyone is supposedly delighted.

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

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. 

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Unique partnership provides niche mine training in Kirkland Lake – by Adelle Lamour

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. This column was published in the April 2011 issue.

Hard Rock Miner Training program helps address shortage of skilled miners.

With a hand from Kirkland Lake Gold Inc., Northern College is helping to address the industry’s shortage of skilled miners with its Underground Hard Rock Miner Common Core training program. Created through a partnership between the school and the mid-tier gold miner, the program has provided an opportunity for those returning to the North in search of permanent full-time employment.

“It is so gratifying to see those who are highly motivated and never had a chance of getting in…this is their big break,” said Rose-Lyne D’Aoust-Messier, training consultant of apprenticeship, workforce development and training at Northern College’s Kirkland Lake campus.

It is one of two institutions in northeastern Ontario that offers this type of training for people not privately employed by a mining company. In mid-February, 12 students graduated from the program, six of which have already been scooped up by Kirkland Lake Gold.

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Order halts [mineral exploration] drilling [on traditional FN territory] – by Kate McLaren (The Daily Press – April 30, 2011)

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

First Nation gets court injunction

The community of Constance Lake First Nation (CLFN) has obtained an injunction to stop a mineral exploration company from drilling on traditional territory. The order was imposed Friday in the Ontario Superior Court in Toronto.

“This is a victory for us,” CLFN Chief Arthur Moore told The Daily Press Friday afternoon. “We’re very happy to have this time in the interim to go back to the negotiating table.”

The injunction was filed against Zenyetta Centures Ltd., a company in association to Cliffs Resources. Cliff Resources is involved in the Ring of Fire mineral discovery. The company has been prohibited from drilling until May 9 and have been ordered back to negotiations with the First Nations community.

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OMA member Vale makes lasting conservation commitment

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.

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2011 ACTION PLAN FOR ONTARIO MINING: TAKING ADVANTAGE OF A CRITICAL WINDOW OF OPPORTUNITY – Ontario Mining Association (OMA) Policy Paper

This policy document was provided by the Ontario Mining Association (OMA), an organization that was established in 1920 to represent the mining industry of the province. 
 
2011 Ontario Mining Association (OMA) Policy Paper

“China needs to build three cities larger than Sydney (or Toronto)
every year until 2030 to accommodate rural to urban migration.”
(Rio Tinto Presentation)

Ontario has been blessed with an abundance of natural resources, including untold mineral potential. For more than a century, word-class mineral discoveries in this province have brought development and prosperity, along with scientific and technological advances, enabling Ontario’s economy to evolve through innovation. From the earliest times, mining spurred on infrastructure development, enabled more equitable regional development and sustained a variety of support industries. These industries include obvious ones like manufacturing, but also perhaps some unexpected ones like education and financial services.

Today, mining continues to be an economic pillar of Ontario.  It is well positioned to grow its contribution to our economy.  Though the number fluctuates with various commodity price changes, mining in Ontario had revenues of $6.3 billion in 2009 (down by about 30% due to the global economic downturn).  The industry provides a major boost to our financial sector, with the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) currently being the leading global mining exchange, listing 57% of the world’s public mining companies and raising more mining equity capital than any other exchange.

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NDP Jack Layton’s Mining Strategy for Canada

When the NDP first released their Mining Strategy on March 7, 2011, probably very few in the mining sector paid much attention to the document. That was then and this is now! With the unprecedented surge in NDP support across the country – a historic game changer in Canadian political history – perhaps the mining sector had better pay much closer attention to NDP mining policy. – Stan Sudol

NEWS RELEASE: NORTHERN NEW DEMOCRATS ENDORSE MINING STRATEGY

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 7, 2011

NDP only party with a mining strategy, and a mining critic – MP Gravelle

SUDBURY, ON – New Democrats unanimously endorsed a New Democrat Mining Strategy at this weekend’s Northern Council in Sudbury.

“I am so pleased that provincial and federal New Democrats from Northern Ontario endorsed this plan which protects Canada’s strategic interest by ensuring Canadian workers and their communities will be the primary beneficiaries of our natural resources,” said NDP Leader Jack Layton. “Recent years have seen foreign control over Canada’s mining sector rise from 12% when the Harpers Conservatives took power to over 40% today. And Northern Ontario has paid its own price for this increase in foreign control.”

“Over 300,000 Canadians, particularly those living and working in rural, Northern and remote communities, are directly employed in the mining sector,” said Claude Gravelle, (Nickel Belt), the NDP’s Mining Critic and the strategy’s author. “The mining, metals and mineral exploration sector, is worth $66 billion and directly contributes almost 4% of Canada’s total GDP, even before consideration of economic spin-offs. So, it is critical that we have a strategic plan in place to defend our interests.”

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Northern Ontario seats get attention – by Brian MacLeod (Sudbury Star – April 28, 2011)

The Sudbury Star, the City of Greater Sudbury’s daily newspaper. This column was published on April 28, 2011 and is by Brian MacLeod, the paper’s Managing Editor. brian.macleod@sunmedia.ca

Federal parties have tried to court Northern Ontario votes with varying degrees of love — which is surprising, given potential voter volatility in the North. You’d have thought they’d be throwing pebbles at every window.

The NDP is giving the North a big hug. The Liberals are offering up a sibling kiss. And the Conservatives, well, they’re just not that into the North, it seems.

Seven of Northern Ontario’s 10 ridings are held by the NDP. Two are held by Conservatives (including Parry Sound-Muskoka’s Tony Clement) and one, Nipissing-Timisking’s Anthony Rota, is Liberal. That’s a big change from 2006, when the Liberals held seven of the North’s 10 ridings, with the NDP holding just two and the Conservatives one.

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