Sudbury Basin – Page 57 – Republic of Mining

Steel VP resigns in union spat – by Carol Mulligan (Sudbury Star – February 11, 2013)

February 11, 2013

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

The executive board of United Steelworkers Local 6500 will decide in the next few weeks about appointing someone as the local’s vice-president, after the man elected to the post eight months ago quit the position last month.

Denis Theriault tendered his resignation to the union Jan. 18, saying he couldn’t serve the membership due to “opposing ideology and philosophy” with other union executives.

Theriault has returned to his duties as surface training inspector at Vale’s Copper Cliff Smelter Complex, concluding he wasn’t able “to build or foster a good working relationship with the group that’s there,” he said when contacted by The Star.

Theriault won the vice-presidency in April, after defeating incumbent Patrick Veinot. Veinot was appointed VP in 2010 after president John Fera retired, vice-president Rick Bertrand moved up to president and the executive appointed Veinot VP.

Theraiult said he wasn’t part of a slate of candidates running against Bertrand, Veinot and others last year, although he put his name forward “as an alternative with a group of people. We weren’t a full slate.” He was the only one of the six elected.

He said tried to build over time a better relationship with Bertrand and the executive, “and it just wasn’t happening.”

[Sudbury’s] Laurentian University to meet mining industry’s needs – by Lindsay Kelly (Northern Ontario Business – January 30, 2013)

May 7, 2013January 30, 2013

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.

Discovering a business’s competitive advantage, global marketing, export education, expanding market access: they’re the goals of the Sudbury Area Mining Supply and Services Association (SAMSSA), but they could easily be the founding principles of the Goodman School of Mines at Laurentian University, according to its president.

Dominic Giroux was the guest speaker at SAMSSA’s annual general meeting Dec. 4, and he outlined the scope and aims of the new mining school, which was announced last year and is expected to get underway in 2013.

According to industry statistics, 40 per cent of mining-industry workers are expected to retire over the next few years, leaving a deficit of 60,000 to 100,000 workers across the country. Laurentian aims to close that gap by offering education in mining-related programs that will bolster Northern Ontario’s existing mining cluster and boost the number of skilled workers in Canada.

Canvassing SAMSSA members, Laurentian found business owners appreciated the technical skills of engineering and earth sciences grads, of which there is a current demand, but they also voiced a need for executive programs in the areas of project management, business acumen, and international business.

Sudbury: Ontario’s mining superstore (Excerpt from Canadian Chamber of Commerce Mining Report)

January 30, 2013

This is an excerpt from the January 30, 2013 Canadian Chamber of Commerce Mining Report: Mining Capital: How Canada Transformed Its Resources Endowment Into a Global Competitive Advantage

Sudbury has a century of history as a mining centre and over a dozen mines operating within city limits. Over the past decade, the Northern Ontario city has been subtly shifting its focus from being a producer of metals to a creator of mining know-how and technology. This shift has been marked by the rise of an organized Northern Ontario mining technology cluster focused on underground hardrock mining technologies.

Sudbury is home to a broad range of mining related activities. The operations of large mining majors— Vale and Xstrata—serve as anchors for the cluster along with other mining ﬁrms.(38) Around these ﬁrms has grown a network of mining supply and technology ﬁrms that, together, contributed almost $4 billion to the local economy and employed 13,800 people—around eight per cent of the population of Greater Sudbury.(39)

The city is also home to a concentration of mining education and research. Sudbury is home to the public-private Centre for Excellence in Mining Innovation, the Canadian Mining Industry Research Organization, the Northern Centre for Advanced Technology and Mining and Laurentian University’s School of Mining and its eight mining research centres. In addition, industry associations, like the Sudbury Area Mining Supply and Service Organization, and publications, like the Sudbury Mining Solutions Journal, seek to share information and strengthen the links among the cluster’s participants.

Mining companies need Ottawa’s help to solve shortage of workers – by Peter O’Neil (Vancouver Sun – January 29, 2013)

September 7, 2018January 30, 2013

http://www.vancouversun.com/index.html

Report says lack of skilled employees already causing costly mistakes

OTTAWA — Vancouver, Toronto and Sudbury are to Canada what Hollywood and Silicon Valley are to the U.S. — cities with a cluster of businesses built around a major industry that competes globally.

But the world-class industry in those Canadian cities — mining — needs government help, says a report to be released Wednesday.

According to the Canadian Chamber of Commerce report, world-competitive industries emerge when they attract a large cluster of related companies to a particular area, such as Metro Vancouver, allowing for increased competition, economies of scale and innovation.

But, the report warns, renewed federal government efforts are needed if mining is to continue to attract and maintain the “clusters” of companies it needs — in finance, insurance, manufacturing and more — to Vancouver, Toronto and Sudbury.

The top challenge for governments is to help the industry resolve the skilled worker shortage “crisis” that, according to the report, is increasingly resulting in costly mistakes in mining operations.

Wynne for the North? – by Star Staff (Sudbury Star – January 28, 2013)

January 28, 2013

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

Rick Bartolucci, Sudbury’s Liberal MPP, said Kathleen Wynne has “very strong interpersonal skills” and the two enjoyed a good relationship in the cabinet of outgoing premier Dalton McGuinty.

Bartolucci supported another cabinet minster, Sandra Pupatello, in the leadership campaign to replace McGuinty. Asked whether his support of Pupetello would cause a problem for him now that Wynne is party leader, Bartolucci said no.

“We’re a Liberal family,” he said. “We’re an incredibly united family. I look forward to serving” in whatever capacity Wynne may ask.

Bar tolucci, who has been Sudbury MPP since 1995, has been a cabinet minister since 2003, serving in a number of portfolios, but mostly as minister of Northern Development and Mines. During the leadership campaign, Wynne said she would create a northern cabinet committee and put more emphasis on northern infrastructure — such as roads and bridges — and transportation.

She also said she would be committed to completing the widening of Highway 69, from Sudbury to Parry Sound, to four lanes, and making sure the so-called Ring of Fire, a mineral-rich area in the Far North, is developed. One of the companies active in the Ring of Fire, Cliffs Natural Resources, wants to open a smelter in Capreol to process chromite mined in the Ring of Fire.

Another $500 K for Laurentian’s school of mines – by Heidi Ulrichsen (Sudbury Northern Life – January 17, 2013)

May 7, 2013January 17, 2013

http://www.northernlife.ca/

The founding executive director of Laurentian University’s Goodman School of Mines is no stranger to the city. In the past, Bruce Jago has worked as an applied mineralogist and exploration director at Inco Ltd. and as the vice-president of exploration at Wallbridge Mining.

Most recently, Jago, who holds a PhD in geology, served as the CEO of Miocene Minerals in Vancouver. “This is the third time I’ll have lived in Sudbury,” he said, speaking to reporters after a Jan. 16 press conference at which his appointment was announced.

“This opportunity came up to come back east, and our family is in Ontario. It’s an amazing opportunity. So, third time lucky. I think we’re going to stay here for a long time.”

The school of mines, created last June, will focus on developing interdisciplinary majors and minors, creating new executive programs for those already in the industry, networking with other schools of mines, doubling the enrolment in mining-related programs by 2020 and continuing to improve student experience.

Beyond introducing Jago, university officials announced at the press conference the school of mines executive director position is being funded through a $500,000 gift from Franco-Nevada Corp.

Franco-Nevada is an $8-billion gold royalty company. David Harquail, the company’s CEO, said he was convinced to provide the funding because the company earns about 10 per cent of its revenues from mines in the Sudbury area.

Founding director [Goodman School of Mines] appointed – by Star Staff (Sudbury Star – January 17, 2013)

May 7, 2013January 17, 2013

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

A veteran mining executive has been appointed founding executive director of Laurentian University’s Goodman School of Mines.

Bruce C . Jago — most recently the president, CEO and director of Miocene Minerals Ltd. of Vancouver — was introduces as the new ED at a press conference Wednesday.

“We couldn’t be more pleased Bruce Jago will be bringing his vision to the Goodman School,” Laurentian president Dominic Giroux said in a release. “His experience in the field, in Canada and abroad, his work with First Nations, his deep roots in mining and his belief in the industry all make him an ideal choice for this important founding position.”

Jago is a professional geologist and experienced mining executive who has worked with such companies as Wallbridge Mining (vice-president, exploration), Inco Limited (applied mineralogist, exploration manager), Temex Resources (project manager, diamonds) and Harry Winston Inc. (project geologist).

” The world’s mineral resources must be developed efficiently, sustainably and equitably, so all stakeholders receive maximum benefit,” Jago said. “There is no better place in the world for this multi-disciplinary approach to mining education, and I am thrilled with the opportunity to lead this exciting venture.”

NEWS RELEASE: LAURENTIAN CREATES FIRST RESEARCH CHAIR IN OPEN-PIT MINING – Canadian company IAMGOLD funds position with $1.25M investment

January 28, 2013January 15, 2013

(L to R) Stephanie Fontaine (2nd Year Mining Engineering Student), Ramesh Subramanian (Laurentian University), Gordon Stothart (IAMGOLD), Dave Brown (IAMGOLD), Philip Gaultier (IAMGOLD), Albert Nelmapius (IAMGOLD), Pierre Pelletier (IAMGOLD), Stephen Letwin (IAMGOLD), Tracy MacLeod (Laurentian University), Dominic Giroux (Laurentian University).

SUDBURY, ON (January 14, 2013) – The Bharti School of Engineering at Laurentian University in Sudbury will establish Canada’s first Research Chair in Open-Pit Mining, with the support of a significant investment from Canadian mining firm, IAMGOLD Corporation.

The company’s investment of $1.25M, dedicated to the creation of a Research Chair, was announced by IAMGOLD’s President and Chief Executive Officer, Stephen Letwin at a celebration at Laurentian University this afternoon.

“This investment represents a critically-important enhancement of our research capacity at the Bharti School. This new Research Chair will attract more cutting-edge knowledge to our mining engineering programs, and will certainly augment our international reputation in mining,” said Dr. Ramesh Subramanian, Director of the Bharti School of Engineering.

“The future of the mining industry depends on our ability to step up the pace of innovation and this has to start with educational programs and research opportunities specializing in advanced mining techniques,” said Steve Letwin, IAMGOLD’s President and CEO. “Creating Canada’s first Research Chair in the highly specialized field of open-pit mining, positions Laurentian University as a leader in mining research.

Vale cut not ‘fatal’ to city’s economy – by Harold Carmichael (Sudbury Star – January 12, 2013)

January 12, 2013

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

Vale’s decision to cut in half the proposed $2 billion it would spend on a massive pollution-reduction project at the Copper Cliff Smelter site will affect local mining supply and service companies, but it’s not a fatal blow, says Dick DeStefano.

DeStefano, executive director of the Sudbury Area Mining Supply and Service Association, said local companies had about a 25% of Vale’s Clean Atmospheric Emissions Reduction project, which will now cost $1-billion. The members reaction, he said, is the work will be made up somewhere else.

“I haven’t heard one complaint because they made a business decision,” said DeStefano. “No one has called me up saying ‘I am losing a pile of money.’ Our guys are saying ‘let’s move on. There are other markets in other places. If we don’t see it here, there are others. We have to live with it.’”

DeStefano said the good news Thursday is the increased push to develop the Victor-Capre Mine and the Copper Cliff Mine brownfield site, which he said, could lead to $500 million-plus of investment at each site, more than making up for the lost $1 billion from Clean AER.

While he accepts that the Clean AER announcement was a business decision, DeStefano said the Copper Cliff Smelter could run into problems down the road when it operates with just one furnace.

Vale cuts don’t concern SAMSSA director – by Heidi Ulrichsen (Sudbury Northern Life – January 11, 2013)

January 12, 2013

http://www.northernlife.ca/

‘Other places besides Vale’ to do business

Local mining supply and service companies won’t be majorly impacted by Vale’s decision to downscale its Clean AER project and move to one furnace at its Copper Cliff Smelter, said Dick DeStefano.

The executive director of the Sudbury Area Mining Supply and Service Association (SAMSSA) said his members were only winning about 25 per cent of the Clean AER contracts anyway. A website dedicated to Clean AER contracts hadn’t posted any new jobs up for grabs for the last three months, DeStefano said.

But with Clean AER’s scope being cut from $2 billion to $1 billion, he said he’ll never know how many contracts his members could have won. “There will be no tenders put out, and you won’t know,” he said. So far, DeStefano hasn’t received any phone calls from members who are losing contracts because of the cuts.

Companies that specialize in servicing the smelter may be hurt by the company’s decision to shut down one of its furnaces, but again, he said he doesn’t see a large overall impact on his membership.

DeStefano estimates other Vale projects, such as the Victor Capre Mine and the Copper Cliff Deep project, will be worth about $2 billion anyway, and will provide many contract opportunities for local companies.

Vale scales back [in Sudbury] – by Laura Stricker (Sudbury Star – January 11, 2013)

January 11, 2013

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

Vale announced Thursday it will slash spending on a massive pollution-reduction project in Sudbury, as it moves from a two-furnace to one-furnace operation at its Copper Cliff smelter.

“A move to a single furnace is years away, but preparation for this move will mean changes to the Clean AER Project in the immediate future,” Vale said in a statement. “The outcome of this move to a single furnace, combined with adjustments to the Clean AER Project, will be reductions in annual (sulphur dioxide) emissions more than 50% greater than contemplated in the original Clean AER plan, at approximately half the capital investment.”

The changes will see the cost of the Clean AER project reduced from $2 billion to $1 billion. The company’s operating costs will also be reduced, but by how much remains to be seen, said Angie Robson, Vale’s manager of corporate affairs.

“Vale has moved from what was once a growth strategy to really focus on generating value rather than production volume and also ensuring that each of our operations are self-sufficient and able to stand on our own two feet,” Robson said.

“Changes in our asset footprint, such as the commissioning of the Long Harbour project in Newfoundland, and decisions to optimize and redistribute some of the flow of our raw materials, have created conditions for moving from a two-furnace operation to a single-furnace operation for our smelter … We see it as the next logical step in our evolution here in Sudbury.”

Union, company [KGHM] working together – by Carol Mulligan (Sudbury Star – January 11, 2013)

January 11, 2013

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

A joint team of three people each from KGHM and United Steelworkers Local 2020 is working to reduce the number of union members who will be laid off when Podolsky Mine ceases production March 29.

Poland-based KGHM posted a notice Wednesday at the mine, as required under the Employment Standards Act, that 70 hourly rated positions would be cut when the mine closes.

That doesn’t mean 70 union jobs will be lost, said Wess Dowsett, area co-ordinator and staff representative for USW.

Six jobs were saved Thursday when the committee met for the first time. It decided to retain at least half a dozen employees for a year and keep the mine located north of Capreol on care and maintenance.

“There is always the possibility the closure will be delayed again or it may reopen in the near future,” said Dowsett, so the company will maintain the mine so it can reopen in short order if need be.

The fact KGHM is putting Podolsky on care and maintenance gives the union hope it may return to production in the future.