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Wynne vows to give voice to Northerners – by Kyle Gennings (Timmins Daily Press – January 12, 2013)

The Daily Press is the city of Timmins broadsheet newspaper.

TIMMINS – Provincial Liberal leadership frontrunner Kathleen Wynne says Northerners are not alone in thinking Queen’s Park is disconnected from the needs of their region.

Wynne paid a visit to Timmins on Friday. During a breakfast meeting with party supporters at Cedar Meadows Resort, she shared her views. Wynne spoke at length with party members about changes in how Queen’s Park deals with the North, apologizing for the past and promising a brighter future.

“No matter where the premier comes from, they have to understand the people of the regions that make up this province,” said Wynne. “So I made that my business as a minister and I will continue to make that my commitment as premier.

“I had made a commitment as a leadership candidate that I would attempt to get to every region of the province and the Northeast is extremely important to the health of the province.” Although Wynne understands the feelings of isolation in the North, she said the same sentiments are felt by every inch of the province.

“If I go to rural Ontario, there are people who feel that rural Ontario in the south has had a rough ride. If I go to downtown Toronto, I can hear people say that they feel that there have been decisions made that they feel have impacted them negatively,” said Wynne.

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‘With tourism, you need local buy-in to succeed’: Why Shania Twain’s shrine died, but Anne Murray’s lives on – by Tristin Hopper (National Post – January 10, 2013)

The National Post is Canada’s second largest national paper.

Last week, Timmins city council announced the Shania Twain Centre, the city’s 11-year, multi-million-dollar bid to lure tourists to the heart of Northern Ontario, was coming to an ignominious end.

Responding to Timmins’s entreaties, Vancouver-based Goldcorp bought the property for an undisclosed sum and, within a few years, the site of the 12,000-square-foot centre will be part of a new mining project. “I think they probably are going to take the buildings down,” said Tom Laughren, Timmins mayor.

Two small Canadian mining towns, both of whom spawned famous singers, yet one attraction lives while the other dies. The reason, it turns out, may be a fable of nostalgia versus modernity, grassroots gumption versus government bungling and the cruel twists of highway geography.

“She’s our hometown girl,” said Maxwell Snow, Springhill’s mayor. Until their favourite daughter became the CanCon selection of choice in the mid-1960s, Springhill was mostly known to Canadians as the site of two devastating mine disasters.

Describing the Anne Murray Centre’s late-1980s origins as “grassroots,” employee Marcie Meekins said it was spawned by some volunteers with the Springhill Industrial Commission who teamed up with her mother Marion.

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Demolition planned for Shania centre [for gold mine] – by Ron Grech (Timmins Daily Press – January 9, 2013)

The Daily Press is the city of Timmins broadsheet newspaper.

TIMMINS – The Shania Twain Centre and Underground Gold Mine Tour will be history in more ways than one if Goldcorp Canada completes a deal to purchase the land where those attractions are located.

“If an agreement can be reached, our plans are to demolish both,” Domenic Rizzuto, manager of human resources and corporate social responsibility for Goldcorp’s Porcupine Gold Mines, told The Daily Press.

Goldcorp’s interest in the property comes at a time when the company is developing an open pit mine in an area pocked by subsidances from the old Hollinger mine workings.

The original proposed layout of the open pit saw the exterior wall or berm curving around the property where the Twain centre and mine tour site are located. If the land sale goes through, there will be less need for Goldcorp to prevent the berm from encroaching in that area. “Goldcorp is in discussions with the city to purchase the Shania Twain Centre and Gold Mine Tour because there is an economic case to so,” said Rizzuto.

Timmins council announced on Monday the city was close to finalizing an agreement to sell the Twain centre and mine tour property to Goldcorp.

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Growth golden at Brigus projects – by Kyle Gennings (Timmins Daily Press – January 9, 2013)

The Daily Press is the city of Timmins broadsheet newspaper.

TIMMINS – The coming year holds the promise of further expansion for Brigus Gold operations in the Black-River Matheson area. The Black Fox mine is slated to expand production while the Grey Fox mine will continue operational prep for full production in 2015.

For Brigus CEO Wade Dawe, 2013 will be yet another landmark year in growth for the mid-level operation, one that will see the residents of Timmins benefit.

“In 2012 we made great progress, we built the underground portion of the mine (Black Fox) and that is wrapping up very well,” he said. “We are on track to increase production in 2013 to between 90,000 and 100,000 ounces compared to the 77,347 ounces in 2012.”

This increase will continue to lay the ground work needed to allow Brigus to focus on further expansion of the Grey Fox operations. Dawe said that 2013 should be a stable year.

“Right now, we have approximately 377 employees at the Black Fox mine,” he said. “In 2013 our employment numbers will be reasonably stable. We may add up to 5% of additional personnel, although we are essentially stable in 2013.” Operations will ramp up even further in 2014.

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“One window” consultation [Wabun Tribal Council] provides certainty for miners – by Ian Ross (Northern Ontario Business – January 7, 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. Ian Ross is the editor of Northern Ontario Business ianross@nob.on.ca.

Shawn Batise favours the “one window approach” when it comes to doing business with exploration firms. The executive director of the Timmins-based Wabun Tribal Council spearheaded the development of a tried-and-true method that enables six First Nation communites to share in the mineral wealth from Treaty 9.

“Our communities are business-minded and know how to approach a development,” said Batise, a graduate of the Haileybury School of Mines and a former mechanical engineering technologist who worked at Detour Lake mine.

Batise handles the negotiations for mining and hydro-electric agreements on behalf of the six communities that make up the tribal council: Beaver House, Brunswick, Chapleau Ojibwe, Matachewan, Flying Post and Mattagami.

The Wabun traditional territories take in a wide swath of northeastern Ontario that includes the major gold and base metal mining and exploration camps in Timmins, Kirkland Lake, Matachewan and Gogama. Batise said their Wabun Resource Development Model is all about “creating certainty” for both industry and communities.

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Gogama mine project shines for IAMGOLD – by Benjamin Aubé (Timmins Daily Press – January 8, 2013)

The Daily Press is the city of Timmins broadsheet newspaper.

TIMMINS – Another company is looking to put its stamp on the region’s rich mining history. IAMGOLD hopes its Côté Gold project near Gogama will be up and running by the year 2017. Timmins council voiced its enthusiasm for the welcoming of another gold mine to the region.

Mayor Tom Laughren praised the company for initiating a presentation to city council, as well as its early consultation with local and First Nations communities that has been ongoing since IAMGOLD purchased Trelawney Mining in June 2012. “I think that’s phenomenal for a mining organization to be out there ahead of time,” said Laughren. “Anytime there’s mining in our region, we’re very excited.”

IAMGOLD’s manager of corporate social responsibility, Aaron Steeghs, was among the four project representatives on hand at Monday’s presentation. He began by stating the company’s commitment to “zero harm,” encompassing “health and safety, community and First Nations relations, and environment.”

The Côté Gold project will consist of an open-pit mine, and will include tailing storage, a mill site and camp facilities. Located 25 kilometres Southwest Gogama, 130 kilometres south of Timmins, and 170 kilometres North of Sudbury, the operation promises to offer a significant number of employment opportunities over the mine’s projected 15-year lifespan.

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Shania centre sell-off – by Benjamin Aubé (Timmins Daily Press – January 7, 2013)

The Daily Press is the city of Timmins broadsheet newspaper.

TIMMINS – Mayor Tom Laughren said the city is looking to sell the Shania Twain Centre and the land that surrounds it to Goldcorp “for all the right reasons.” On Monday, city council agreed to declare the land and buildings – which includes the Timmins Underground Gold Mine Tour – surplus to kick off a process that would see them sold to the mining company, which operates the nearby Hollinger pit.

In 2001, the Shania Twain Centre opened in a new, multi-million dollar building, which displayed much of the country star’s memorabilia from her early years in the City with a Heart of Gold and beyond.

The number of visitors at the centre peaked in 2002, at 8,400, but soon went into steady decline, dropping 66% to 2,800 visitors in by 2010. During the same timeframe, the Underground Gold Mine Tour’s yearly attendance numbers dropped by 36%, from 6,200 to 4,000 visits. A report prepared by PFK Consulting estimated that the City and taxpayers would be paying approximately $300,000 per year to continue operations for both attractions in the future.

“In today’s economic climate, it’s important to make economically prudent decisions,” stated a city report explaining the potential sale. “There is a great opportunity to continue featuring both our hometown star and our mining heritage in other, more cost effective ways and the city will be working on a comprehensive plan to continue showcasing this city’s proud heritage.”

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[Ontario] Mines on gem-laden path to 2013 – (Timmins Daily Press – December 30, 2012)

The Daily Press is the city of Timmins broadsheet newspaper.

 TIMMINS – With the real status of the Canadian economy checkered with question marks, mining remains a diamond in the rough and a driving force for industry in Ontario.

That’s according to an in-depth study performed by a research team at the University of Toronto’s Rotman School of Management, and released by the Ontario Mining Association (OMA) in early December.

“What the study really shows is that, while some other sectors may be having troubles right now, mining is a winner,” said Peter McBride, the OMA’s manager of communications. “Mining is dependable, and it certainly is a dynamic part of the economy right now, and it will be for the future.”

The OMA is one of the longest-serving trade organizations in Canada. Formed in 1920, it currently represents over 75 mineral producers in the province.

Highlighted in the University of Toronto study is the fact that, since 2002, Ontario’s overall international goods trade deficit has more than quadrupled. Mining, however, has moved in the opposite direction over the past decade, with the trade surplus for mineral products growing to more than $12 billion and remaining positive throughout.

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[Timmins] City boom continues in 2013 – by Benjamin Aubé (Timmins Daily Press – December 28, 2012)

The Daily Press is the city of Timmins broadsheet newspaper.

TIMMINS – For the past few years, the City of Timmins has focused on both increasing industry in the traditional sectors of mining and forestry, as well as seeking out new economic and industrial opportunity.

With a new airline (Porter) coming to town in 2012, along with the development of a diversified economy, Mayor Tom Laughren and city council will be looking to keep up with a city that is growing in more ways than one.

“I think Timmins will continue to see the building boom happening for the next couple of years,” said Laughren, previewing the challenges and opportunities 2013 is promising to offer. “I think it will still be a very much the mix we have out there right now, which is industrial, commercial and residential.

“The numbers are way up there, (construction) has been climbing, and with the price of gold, that’s going to continue.

“Having said that, one of the big challenges around that is going to be housing. The two biggest challenges I hear from local businesses when I visit them to talk about economic development are attracting workers, and then finding a place for them to live.”

With parts of Southwestern Ontario being hit hard by job losses, Laughren said that one of council’s priorities will be developing a housing strategy. The mayor said it “is easy to say, but will be tougher to do.

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Ex-Solid Gold CEO demands apology for being called ‘racist’ – by Jonathan Migneault (Timmins Daily Press – December 18, 2012)

The Daily Press is the city of Timmins broadsheet newspaper.

TIMMINS – The former president of a gold prospecting company has accused two local First Nations chiefs of making “slanderous and defamatory remarks” against him.

Darryl Stretch, the former president of Solid Gold Resources Corporation, has demanded Dave Babin, chief of the Wahgoshig First Nation, and Harvey Yesno, grand chief of the Nishnawbe Aski Nation issue a public apology for comments they made at a press conference in Sudbury in early November.

The Aboriginal leaders referred to Stretch as a “racist” and urged the provincial government to withdraw its support from “radical industry representatives” such as those headed by Solid Gold.

“In the event that you do not respond to this notice, I will take whatever action is available to me,” Stretch said in his letter to Babin and Yesno. Earlier this month, Solid Gold’s board of directors removed as the company’s president and chief executive.

Babin has said he has no plans to respond to Stretch’s request for a public apology. Solid Gold Resources has been engaged in an ongoing conflict with Wahgoshig since the First Nation succeeded in having an injunction imposed against the exploration company, preventing further drilling near the Aboriginal community until a resolution between the parties is reached.

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Building boom adds stress to public works – by Benjamin Aubé (Timmins Daily Press – December 12, 2012)

The Daily Press is the city of Timmins broadsheet newspaper.

TIMMINS – The city’s “building boom” is resulting in unprecedented work loads and stress levels for Timmins’ community development and public works employees, explained department head Mark Jensen. In pre-budget discussions with city council, Jensen said that many of the department’s challenges are caused by a mix a comparatively low staffing levels, a rapid increase in building permit applications, and a giant geographical area to cover.

To help with efforts such as cutting down on illegal building activity, keeping up with permit processing, and managing increasing administrative duties, Jensen recommended the creation of a new position in the building inspection division.

“A good amount of that demand is coming from our non-residential permit activity,” explained Jensen. “When I say that, we’re looking at the commercial and industrial sectors, and institutional as well. It’s not to say the residential sector isn’t also realizing notable increases over previous years, because it certainly has as well.”

He used the comparable municipalities of Cornwall (pop. 45,965), Belleville (pop. 48,821) and North Bay (pop. 53,980) to make his point. Belleville’s has 11 building inspection staff, Cornwall and North Bay each have eight, while Timmins currently has five-and-a-half full-time employees in the division.

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Lake Shore Gold expands mill (Timmins Daily Press – December 12, 2012)

The Daily Press is the city of Timmins broadsheet newspaper.

TIMMINS – Officials with Lake Shore Gold Corp. announced this week it has achieved a processing capacity of 2,500 tonnes per day. This is following the completion of the first stage of its 50% mill expansion.

The mill’s new capacity represents an increase of 25% from the previous capacity of 2,000 tonnes per day. The second stage of expansion, to a capacity of 3,000 tonnes per day, is on track for completion during the second quarter of 2013.

“We are beginning to see the payback from a lot of hard work and investment over the last year,” said Tony Makuch, president and CEO of Lake Shore Gold “With increased mill throughput and improved grades, we are set to finish the year strong and to achieve full year production of over 85,000 ounces of gold.

“Equally important, with the progress being made at our mill and in completing our development and drilling programs at Timmins West Mine, we are looking to 2013 as a break-out year for the company, with significantly higher production, lower operating costs, and a sharp reduction in capital expenditures.

“Our balance sheet is strong and we are financed to take Timmins West Mine to full production at which time we will be generating positive free cash flow.”

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Plea for ONTC likely to fall on deaf ears – by Wayne Snider (Timmins Daily Press – November 27, 2012)

The Daily Press is the city of Timmins broadsheet newspaper.

TIMMINS – It is one thing for the provincial government to ignore the constant pleas from municipal leaders and opposition MPPs on an issue, but it is a whole new ball game when it disregards the needs of industry.

At Timmins council Monday night, Tom Semadeni asked the city to “help us in terms of lobby efforts” to make sure freight rail service is continued in Northeastern Ontario in the wake of Queen’s Park’s ongoing sell-off of the Ontario Northland Transportation Corporation. Semadeni is the general manager of Kidd Operations in Timmins for Xstrata Copper.

Semadeni told council the divestiture of the ONTC could create possible challenges for the mining company in the future. He said trucking material would be more costly than freight rail and cause more damage to the roads.

The concerns raised by Xstrata echo comments raised by Northern leaders – from mayors and councils across the region to MPPs like Gilles Bisson (NDP – Timmins-James Bay) – since the sell-off was announced in the spring.

Clearly, the mining industry is waving a red flag to warn the provincial government about the effect the sell-off will have on industry in the region.

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Xstrata plea for ONTC – by Ron Grech (Timmins Daily Press – November 27, 2012)

The Daily Press is the city of Timmins broadsheet newspaper.

TIMMINS – Xstrata Copper is seeking the city’s support in ensuring freight rail service to the mine is maintained in light of the province’s plan to sell the Ontario Northland Transportation Commission.

In a presentation to Timmins council Monday, Tom Semadeni, general manager of Kidd Operations, identified the divestiture of the ONTC and its potential impact on freight rail service as a possible challenge in the future. Semadeni said city council could “help us in term of lobby efforts … to make sure they maintain service.”

He said trucking the material would be more costly to the company and more damaging to the roads. Coun. Gary Scripnick said hearing these concerns directly from mine management should be helpful in any future discussions Mayor Tom Laughren has with provincial ministers.

He said it is important for the mayor to be able to report what mining officials are telling him. Other areas of concern expressed by Semadeni included high energy costs and the limited availability of housing in Timmins.

He said Xstrata Copper has hired close to 550 in the last five years and as a result has experienced the challenges associated with the housing shortage first-hand.

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Future uncertain for [Timmins Goldcorp] mine pit park – by Benjamin Aubé (Timmins Daily Press – November 16, 2012)

The Daily Press is the city of Timmins broadsheet newspaper.

TIMMINS – Now that Goldcorp is only awaiting the Ministry of Environment’s approval to start mining the Hollinger open pit near downtown Timmins, the long-term future of the site is still up in the air.

The general understanding had been that a publicly accessible park and lake would be left behind in 10 years when Goldcorp is scheduled to end its mining operations at the Hollinger.

But now that the project is starting to get into gear, some Timmins residents want concrete answers rather than vague promises.

It’s important to note that Goldcorp representatives have been insistent on the fact that the Site Plan Control Agreement between the company and the city is separate from the Subsequent Land Use Plan, which is still up for public input as the project moves forward.

The section on the company website relating to the Hollinger project explains that, “Detailed studies have determined that the removal of mine hazards through filling or mining of historic mine workings would allow for partial to full future use of the Hollinger property.”

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