Republic of Mining

RIM goes as silent as its BlackBerrys – by Warren Kinsella (Toronto Sun – October 16, 2011)

October 17, 2011

The Toronto Sun is the city’s daily tabloid newspaper. warren.kinsella@sunmedia.ca

A lesson for the mining sector? – Stan Sudol

When disaster strikes, when mistakes happen, what’s the best corporate response? Well, to respond, for starters. Not to pretend nobody’s noticed.

Last week, as you are certainly aware, was The Great Berry Crash of 2011, and plenty of folks noticed. Across Europe, Africa, Asia and the Americas, millions of us peered at our inert BlackBerry screens for day after interminable day, cursing.

Cursing one of the all-time Canadian business success stories, BlackBerry’s Research in Motion (RIM). Cursing the company’s near-total silence about a system-wide collapse that inconvenienced — or hurt — countless businesses and individuals around the globe.

Firm [Cliffs Natural Resources] defends environmental review process – by Bryan Meadows (Thunder Bay Chronicle-Journal – October 15, 2011)

October 15, 2011

The Thunder Bay Chronicle-Journal is the daily newspaper of Northwestern Ontario.

While First Nation leaders and environmentalists continue to have concerns about the approved environmental assessment process for Cliffs Natural Resources Inc.’s Chromite Project, the company maintains that the EA will mean a thorough review of all components of the project.

Some Matawa First Nations chiefs are upset about the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency’s (CEAA) decision to side with industry by choosing a Comprehensive Study Environmental Assessment (EA) process, instead of a Joint Review Panel EA.

“I don’t understand how the CEAA can make this kind of choice,” Chief Sonny Gagnon of the Aroland First Nation, said in a news release.

“The area being affected is among one of the largest groups of intact wetlands in the world. These Ring of Fire developments are going to impact everyone in the region, one way or another, but especially the First Nations near these developments.

Sudbury in the 1960s – by Sudbury Star (Unknown Date)

September 5, 2016October 15, 2011

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

The 1960s were a period of tension and turmoil in Sudbury, with huge changes in local labour organizations. It was also a period of massive urban renewal and municipal restructuring.

When the decade opened, the entire mining industry workforce was represented by one union — the International Union of Mine, Mill and Smelter Workers. When the decade ended, the United Steelworkers Union had established itself as bargaining agent for Inco employees in Sudbury.

To mark its presence in the community, the union purchased the former Legion Hall at Frood Road and College Street. The building became the Steelworkers Hall.

It was also a time of increasing demand for nickel products throughout the world, helped in no small part by the war in Vietnam. Both of the community’s mining companies, Inco and Falconbridge, were expanding operations.

No ‘major-minority’ [Gilles Bisson – Ontario politics] – by Ryan Lux (Timmins Daily Press – October 15, 2011)

October 15, 2011

The Daily Press, the city of Timmins newspaper. Contact the writer at news@thedailypress.ca.

Re-elected MPP warns Liberals not to ‘govern like Harper did’

Ontario’s minority Parliament won’t be steamrolled like the opposition parties were in the House of Commons under Stephen Harper, said Timmins-James Bay MPP Gilles Bisson at a press conference Friday. Bisson, recently appointed NDP house leader, held the conference to send a message to Premier Dalton McGuinty.

“Mr. McGuinty’s trying to pretend this is isn’t a minority Parliament,” said Bisson. “He’s saying he has a major-minority and that he’ll govern like Harper did. But Ontario is not Canada.”

Bisson noted that with only two parties in opposition, the Liberals won’t be able to divide and conquer the way the federal Conservatives did in Ottawa. Moreover, he said there’s a long tradition of non-partisan co-operation by the opposing parties at Queen’s Park that McGuinty must take into account.

Like it or not, McGuinty will have to court votes from opposition members in order to pass legislation.

Have your say on Cliffs’ EA [Ring of Fire] – by Ian Ross (Northern Ontario Business – October, 2011)

October 14, 2011

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.

Oct. 17 will be the public’s first crack to comment on Cliffs Natural Resources’ massive integrated chromite project slated for the James Bay region. The Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency (CEAA) will start taking written submissions only on the multi-billion dollar regional mining, transportation and processing development.

The agency announced Oct. 7 that a federal environmental assessment of the Cliffs project in the ‘Ring of Fire’ has formally started with a comprehensive study.

While it’s clear that Black Thor will be the first chromite deposit to be mined starting in 2015, and the Nakina-Aroland area will be the site for a transload facility, the final location of a much-coveted ferrochrome production facility remains up in the air.

But CEAA spokeswoman Celine Legault said the federal regulator will be working from the project description submitted by Cliffs, which identifies the Sudbury in its “base case” as the site for electric arc furnaces.

MININGWATCH NEWS RELEASE: Federal Decision Ignores First Nations and Public Input: Likely to Hinder Development in Ontario’s “Ring of Fire”

October 14, 2011

Oct 13, 2011

The Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency recently announced that Cliffs’ proposed chromite mine, the first for a remote area of northern Ontario, will undergo a ‘comprehensive study’ environmental review despite the request of two First Nations councils and several non-governmental organizations for a public panel review.

The proposed project is a massive and complex undertaking that includes a mine and new infrastructure for transportation, power, and processing. The Matawa and Mushkegowuk First Nations representing 13 individual communities as well as MiningWatch Canada, Ecojustice, Wildlands League, and the Wildlife Conservation Society have all recommended that the project be evaluated through a joint federal-provincial review panel. Friday’s announcement indicated that this will not be the case and that the project will be reviewed through the less rigorous – and less participatory – comprehensive study process.

Cliffs’ project is the most advanced of several projects being developed in the much-touted “Ring of Fire”. If approved, Cliffs’ project would open the entire region and establish the infrastructure for future developments.

MININGWATCH NEWS RELEASE: What Kind of Environmental Assessment for Ontario’s “Ring of Fire”?

October 14, 2011

Oct 12, 2011

The “Ring of Fire” is an area of northern Ontario that has seen a rapid growth in mineral exploration and potential developments in recent years. Two projects, Cliffs’ chromite project and Noront’s copper-nickel project, have filed descriptions with federal authorities – the first step in initiating an environmental assessment. The proponents of the projects have also volunteered to have their projects designated under the Ontario Environmental Assessment Act (mining projects are not required to undergo an EA in Ontario).

Both projects are large and complex with massive infrastructure development, power supply, and processing facilities that are part of the proposed developments. The projects each propose a different permanent road corridor and a there is a third proposal for a railway.

The concerns about the proposed projects are many and include:

•The way that these first developments will open up the region to additional developments and the cumulative effects of these projects.
•Meeting infrastructure needs of remote First Nations communities;
•Providing meaningful economic development opportunities for First Nations; and northern communities;

Canada, U.S. feel drag in China slowdown – by Simon Avery (Globe and Mail – October 14, 2011)

October 14, 2011

The Globe and Mail is Canada’s national newspaper with the second largest broadsheet circulation in the country. It has enormous influence on Canada’s political and business elite.

Commodities, resources take hit as Beijing moves to rein in inflation, develop more sustainable economic model

As China’s leaders apply the brakes to slow the world’s second-largest economy, Canadian and U.S. markets are feeling the jolt.

Copper prices have plunged, as have the values of other commodities reliant on Chinese demand. The recent volatility on global stock markets reflects, in part, concerns about how fast and severe the slowdown in China will be.

North American stocks will be hammered if China’s annual GDP growth should shrink to 5 per cent, says Jurrien Timmer, director of global macro for Fidelity Management & Research Co. and co-manager of the Fidelity Tactical Strategies fund.

While that’s still a robust figure by today’s western standards, it would represent a dramatic decline from the 9.6-per-cent growth that China boasted in the first half of the year.

NEWS RELEASE: Nishnawbe Aski Development Fund Helps Aboriginal Communities to Become “Mining Ready”

October 14, 2011

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Nishnawbe Aski Development Fund is a non-profit Aboriginal corporation providing loans, tools and business support services to Aboriginal entrepreneurs looking to start, expand or acquire a business in remote, rural and urban communities across Northern Ontario.

Mining Ready Summit: Preparing Aboriginal Communities for Mining-Related Business Opportunities www.miningready.com

Thunder Bay, ON, October 14, 2011– Nishnawbe Aski Development Fund (NADF) is proud to announce the first annual 2011 Mining Ready Summit in Timmins Ontario, on October 25 & October 26, 2011. The Summit will bring together Aboriginal businesses, community leaders, industry, government, contractors and mining related service providers, to help Aboriginal communities prepare for mining related business opportunities.

“As the situation stands today, there is clearly a missing link between Aboriginal businesses and industry. NADF wants to encourage new relationships to bridge these gaps. This can only be achieved by coming together to learn about each others respective goals and needs. The Mining Ready summit will ensure that both sides bring new knowledge, evidence, lessons learned and best practice into mining development talks,” says NADF Special Initiatives Advisor, Brian Davey.

Future glitters for [Timmins] Lake Shore Gold – by Chris Ribau (Timmins Daily Press – October 14, 2011)

October 14, 2011

The Daily Press, the city of Timmins newspaper. Contact the writer at news@thedailypress.ca.

Company set for major expansion of Timmins operations

Lake Shore Gold reported higher commercial production from its Timmins operations and is poised for a bright future.

The Timmins Chamber of Commerce hosted its Inside Their Business Luncheon Thursday at the Days Inn. Guest speaker Dan Gagnon, vice-president and general manager of Lake Shore Gold Corp, discussed key assests in the Timmins area, including the Timmins West Complex, the Bell Creek Mine and Bell Creek Mill.

“I’m grateful to talk about Lake Shore and our operations. I think we have a good story, and I’m always looking forward to sharing it with the community, because we are here to stay,” said Gagnon.

He reported higher commercial production from the company’s 100% owned Timmins Mine in the third quarter of 2011 compared to the first two quarters. Total gold poured year-to-date was more than 60,016 ounces, while gold sales in the third quarter totaled 16,570 ounces at an average price of US$1,726.

Minister Oliver says mine approval process to get better – by Peter Koven (National Post – October 14, 2011)

October 14, 2011

The National Post is Canada’s second largest national paper. pkoven@nationalpost.com

TORONTO – Federal Natural Resources Minister Joe Oliver says improvements to Canada’s endless regulatory approval process for new mines are “achievable” under the government’s current mandate.

Speaking to reporters after a presentation at the Toronto Board of Trade Thursday, Mr. Oliver expressed confidence he can eliminate duplication in federal and provincial reviews of projects, but warned it will be an extremely difficult process.

“We have to work with the provinces, so we can agree on a case-bycase basis whether it makes sense for one or the other to take over the review, or if there’s some way we can work together to avoid duplication,” he said.

One of the biggest frustrations for mining companies in Canada is that project approvals can be delayed for months because the federal and provincial governments are out of sync and are doing the same tasks.

Mining magnate’s $100M gift launches ‘Canadian Rhodes’ – by Tristin Hopper (National Post – October 14, 2011)

October 14, 2011

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

With $100-million — the second-largest endowment to Canadian academia in history — mining magnate Seymour Schulich is inaugurating what he hopes will be the Canadian equivalent to the Rhodes Scholarship.

“It’s about trying to create leaders,” said Mr. Schulich, 71. “If you call people leaders and give them 60 grand, some of them are going to turn into leaders.”

Dubbed the Schulich Leader Scholarships, when fully implemented by 2014 the award will grant $60,000 over four years to students enrolling in science, technology, engineering or mathematics programs.

A noted philanthropist, Mr. Schulich’s name already adorns schools of business, music, medicine and engineering. This time around, he felt it was time to put money into the sciences.

“Business gets enough support, medicine gets enough support, but I haven’t really done a straight science benefaction,” he said.

No growth in North without respect, Edmonton conference told – by Dave Cooper (Calgary Herald – October 13, 2011)

May 16, 2012October 13, 2011

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

Manpower ‘a major concern’ because of region’s low population and lagging education levels

EDMONTON – With an estimated 30 per cent of the world’s undiscovered natural gas, about 13 per cent of its potential oil and big slice of its diamond production, Canada’s North holds a treasure chest of riches.

But the fast-growing region faces immense challenges that don’t register with most southern Canadians, including climate change, which is melting the ice sheets once used as virtual highways — forcing aboriginal inhabitants and the wildlife they depend on for food to adapt.

Economic opportunities for the small population scattered across the vast region are also significant, but a policy conference Wednesday was told that respect for the land and people of the North is the only way development will be sustainable and successful.

In the Yukon, 11 of 14 First Nations have land-claim agreements, modern treaties that give them considerable clout in economic development. Such arrangements with northern aboriginals now cover 40 per cent of Canada.

The Divided [Ontario] North – by Livio Di Matteo (October 10, 2011)

October 13, 2011

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/

One of the most interesting results of the October 6th provincial election is the urban rural divide in Ontario – a divide that also characterizes the North. The GTA is mainly Liberal red with a few NDP exceptions and the Ottawa area is largely Liberal. A glance at the Toronto Star’s election map paints the North as a sea of orange with islands of red in Sudbury and the Sault – and somewhat larger swaths in Thunder Bay-Superior North and Thunder Bay Atikokan.

Those two ridings, however are dominated by Thunder Bay which makes them mainly urban. As for the Near North, Muskoka-Parry Sound and Nipissing, they are both Progressive Conservative but are more traditional rural areas that have been long-time areas of conservative support.

What might this mean? For the two major Ontario political parties, their leaderships will need to get to work devising strategies to bring in their respective alienated voters. For the Liberals, whose policies in Green Energy and knowledge and health sector economy investments are seen as primarily urban policies, they will need to craft policies that appeal to rural voters.

One year after their dramatic rescue, Chilean miners struggle with life – by Laura Stone (Toronto Star – October 13, 2011)

October 13, 2011

The Toronto Star, has the largest circulation in Canada. The paper has an enormous impact on federal and Ontario politics as well as shaping public opinion.

When Edison Pena arrived in Toronto earlier this summer, he wore blue suede shoes in honour of his favourite singer, Elvis, whose music comforted Pena while he was trapped in a Chilean copper mine for 69 days.

He admitted a struggle with depression, but said things were going better for him, his wife and 4-year-old daughter.

“Stay positive. Don’t surrender yourself,” said the amateur crooner, who also appeared on the Late Show with David Letterman and ran in the New York City Marathon weeks after his release.

But for Pena and the 32 other miners known worldwide as “Los 33,” the relief appears short-lived. One year after their dramatic rescue from the San Jose mine, after being freed, feted and given fame, most of the men are struggling with a different foe: reality.