Twitter

Why Northern Ontario is important for both the leaders and the economy – by Steve Ladurantaye (Globe and Mail – September 23, 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.

For the web’s largest database of articles on the Ring of Fire mining camp, please go to: Ontario’s Ring of Fire Mineral Discovery

KENORA, ONT.— The winding roads of Northern Ontario skirt around many of its most valuable assets – mines, forest plots and mills are largely hidden in the countryside and accessible only by dirt roads and trails.

But as the province struggles to pull itself back from economic ruin, those assets aren’t going to stay hidden for long. Residents considering the wealth of riches that wait to be extracted have a sinking suspicion that they will benefit the least from the region’s resource boom.

They are concerned the good jobs – those involving processing and research – will pass them by as Southern Ontario towns position themselves to take advantage of the North’s lack of infrastructure and comparatively low number of skilled trades people.

Once they would have been resigned to their fate – but that’s changing. As the province’s top politicians descend on Thunder Bay for a debate on Friday, all eyes are on the region and its possibilities. It’s a scene also playing out in resource-rich but job-poor communities across the country, particularly in the Northwest Territories and Alberta.

Read more

The Role of Women in Timmins History – by Gregory Reynolds

This column was originally published in the Late Summer, 2011 issue of Highgrader Magazine which is committed to serve the interests of northerners by bringing the issues, concerns and culture of the north to the world through the writings and art of award-winning journalists as well as talented freelance artists, writers and photographers.

The City of Timmins is celebrating its 100th anniversary by spreading events over the four most important years in its development, 1909-12. While it is true that men made the important mineral finds that became mines and then the economic backbone of the area, they were not alone.

The role of women in the settlement, development and growth of the various communities that today make up the city has been ignored for most of the100 years. It is a forgotten chapter, actually many chapters, of local history.

A few residents find it shocking, even disgraceful, that little attention has been paid over the decades to the contributions of women. Very few. And they are not vocal. There are two reasons why women are forgotten when talk turns to pioneers: Men usually write the histories; and people and events get lost under the pressure of living today and worrying about tomorrow.

Does anyone today recognize the name of Miss Laura Keon? She was a hero, one who should be held up as an example to every school child in Timmins. Instead she is forgotten. In November of 1918, the Spanish Flu began its two-year deadly sweep around the world, killing between 20 and 40 million people. In Canada, 50,000 lost their lives. When it struck this area, Miss Keon was one of the first volunteers to tend to the ill by entering the packed boarding houses and hotels where the mainly single miners and bush workers lived.

Read more

Ignace likely home for iron ore processing – by Ian Ross (Northern Ontario Business – September 12, 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.

An up-and-coming northwestern Ontario iron ore producer is “98 per cent” sure the processing for a magnetite deposit will be located near Ignace, rather than Atikokan.

Thunder Bay’s Bending Lake Iron Group is evaluating two sites close to the northwestern Ontario town for a concentrator and pellet plant.

The privately-held, First Nation family-owned company wants to develop an open pit mine which will create 700 construction jobs within two years and 300 permanent mine and processing jobs.

President Henry Wetelainen said after examining the costs of permitting, their project timelines and delays at Atikokan to reach an agreement with the Ministry of Natural Resoruces, the company decided to shift its focus to Ignace.

Read more

K.I. vs. Platinex: a ‘worst case’ example of community relations – Canadian Business Ethics Research Network

The Canadian Business Ethics Research Network (CBERN) aims to promote knowledge-sharing and partnerships within the field of business ethics and across private, governmental, voluntary and academic sectors. CBERN also aims to support work from inception to dissemination, from graduate student research and fellowship opportunities to promoting the projects of established professionals.

For the web’s largest database of articles on the Ring of Fire mining camp, please go to: Ontario’s Ring of Fire Mineral Discovery

CASE STUDY

•This section presents the now-infamous case in light of the previous discussion of the Aboriginal context to mining in Ontario, and the importance of community consultation in advance of resource development.

On December 14th, 2009 the Ontario Ministry of Northern Development, Mines and Forestry (MNDMF) announced that an agreement had been finalized between the McGuinty Government and Platinex Inc. to settle the junior mineral exploration firm’s litigation against Ontario and the K.I. First Nation (see MNDMF, 2009). This agreement included a $5 million payment to Platinex upon the release of its mining claims in the K.I. traditional territory and the guarantee of a royalty of 2.5% of any future resource revenues from those lands.

The settlement officially ended a dispute that began nearly ten years earlier, exacerbated tensions between Aboriginal communities, the province, and the mining industry, cost millions in legal fees, billions in potential revenue, led to the jailing of six K.I. community members, and changed the lives of hundreds of others who call K.I. home. How did things go wrong in K.I.?

Read more

Control of resources vital for the North – by Ron Grech (Timmins Daily Press – September 22, 2011)

Ron Grech is a reporter for The Daily Press, the city of Timmins newspaper. Contact the writer at  rgrech@thedailypress.ca

Northerners will continue to be disappointed by government decisions as long as they don’t have full control of their energy and natural resources.

That was the key message conveyed by a Northern economist who spoke prior to the all-candidates meeting hosted by the Timmins Chamber of Commerce at O’Gorman High School Wednesday night.

Dr. David Robinson suggested the most important question local candidates should be asked is: “How are you going to give us real control of our own space and our own resources?”

Robinson, who is director of the Institute for Northern Ontario Research and Development at Laurentian University was invited by the Timmins chamber as part of its Ask The Expert series of seminars.

Read more

CBERN says RepublicOfMining.com is “The ultimate mining database”

The Canadian Business Ethics Research Network (CBERN) aims to promote knowledge-sharing and partnerships within the field of business ethics and across private, governmental, voluntary and academic sectors. The ultimate mining database A new blog is fast becoming a go-to resource for professionals and academics involved in the mining and resource extraction industries. Republic of Mining‘s …

Read more

Vale General Manager Alex Henderson Speech at Rail-Veyor Test Site – Copper Cliff, Ontario (September 16, 2011)

Speaking Notes For Alex Henderson: General Manager of Mines and Mill Technology for Vale’s North Atlantic Region
Copper Cliff Mine 114 Orebody Demonstration Plant Funding Announcement
Rail-Veyor Test Site

Thank-you Jon. Imagine a mine with no shaft or head frame, no loading pockets, no underground crushers, no conveyor, and no diesel haulage trucks . . .

It’s a huge departure from the way we currently mine but new technology is making this sort of innovative thinking possible. We will be testing some of these new technologies and mining methods at the 114 Orebody Demonstration Plant in Copper Cliff.

Our findings at this plant have the potential to change not only how we mine in Sudbury, but across all of Vale’s operations around the world.

But to understand where we’re headed, it makes sense to set a little context and spend a few moments reflecting on the mining processes of the past . . .

Prior to 1970, mining in the Sudbury Basin was largely manual and characterized by high grades, low volumes and poor safety records.

Read more

Thirty Years of Glory: The Kidd Creek Timmins Story – by Gregory Reynolds (Fall 1996)

This column was originally published in the Fall, 1996 issue of Highgrader Magazine which is committed to serve the interests of northerners by bringing the issues, concerns and culture of the north to the world through the writings and art of award-winning journalists as well as talented freelance artists, writers and photographers.

On November 8, 1963, a young Canadian geologist named Ken Darke set up a diamond drill 16 miles north of the Town of Timmins. The hole was logged as Kidd 55-1 and when the core came up there was a foot of solid copper in it. On July 16, 1996, Frank Pickard, then 62, president and CEO of Falconbridge Ltd. told a gathering of Timmins civic and political leaders he hoped Kidd Creek Mine would be here “thirty years from now. I won’t be here, but the mine could be.”

In between these two dates is the story of a unique orebody, one so rich it staggers the imagination.

Kidd Creek Mine has been in production since 1966. It has processed 106.5 million tones grading 6.55% zinc, 2.31% copper, .24% lead and 94 grams silver per tonne. In addition, there is an estimated 32.2 million tones of ore in the proven, probable and possible reserves for a grand total of 138.7 million tones of base metals. By comparison, the 1994 copper-nickel-cobalt discovery at Voisey’s Bay in Labrador is presently estimated to contain just over 100 million tonnes.

The Kidd Creek Mine literally saved the town and improved the lot of every miners in the area.

Read more

Look no further [Ring of Fire refinery – Greenstone] – Special to The Thunder Bay Chronicle-Journal (September 21, 2011)

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

For the web’s largest database of articles on the Ring of Fire mining camp, please go to: Ontario’s Ring of Fire Mineral Discovery

The Township of Greenstone wants to be chosen as the site of a ferrochrome refinery as part of the Ring of Fire development.

George Smitherman, chairman of G&G Global Solutions, said during a presentation on Tuesday that Exton is the most viable site for the chromite refinery.

“At the heart of Exton’s strength is its proximity to the mine site and its relationship with First Nations,” Smitherman, a former provincial Energy minister, said in an interview following his presentation in Thunder Bay.

“What we were able to do is construct a resolution that is a benefit to so many players and brings more opportunities to First Nation communities and is the most environmentally sustainable.” Exton is located on the CNR mainline between Nakina and the Aroland First Nation, and south of the Ring of Fire development.

Read more

Northern Ontario not just province’s playground – by Ron Grech (Sudbury Star – September 21, 2011)

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

Ron Grech is a reporter for The Daily Press, the city of Timmins newspaper. Contact the writer at  rgrech@thedailypress.ca

Those of us who settled in the North, after growing up in southern Ontario, are likely conscious of the drastic change in mindset that occurs from living here.

Back when we were brushing through crowds in the concrete jungles of downtown Toronto, watching for cars as we hurriedly crossed the street, always keeping track of the time, pristine forests and clean lakes seemed like a scene out of paradise.

Everyone had some friends, relatives or acquaintances who boasted about their cottage in the Muskokas. In summers, they would join the mad weekend rush northward. If they left early enough, they might spend 36 hours at the cottage before they got back onto the jam-packed Highway 400 for the frustratingly slow return home.

For those in the Greater Toronto Area, Northern Ontario represents an expansive park offering peace and tranquility from the hustle and bustle of daily life.

Read more

Lake Shore Gold plans $80-million expansion – by Ron Grech (Timmins Daily Press – September 21, 2011)

Ron Grech is a reporter for The Daily Press, the city of Timmins newspaper. Contact the writer at  rgrech@thedailypress.ca

Lake Shore Gold is spending $80 million over the next 14 months to expand the processing mill at its Bell Creek complex near Timmins. Production for the mine has reached a level where it is exceeding the mill’s capacity.

“We need to expand the mill,” said Dan Gagnon, vice-president and general manager of Timmins operations for Lake Shore Gold.

Gagnon along with Brian Buss, Lake Shore’s director of project development and technical services, made a presentation to Timmins council Monday night, detailing expansion plans and targets for production growth.

Lake Shore has three key mining complexes — Bell Creek, Timmins West and Thunder Creek — west of the city plus some other properties just east of Timmins.

Read more

Northern Ontario needs a long-term energy strategy – by Keitha Robson (Timmins Daily Press – 2009)

 The Daily Press is the city of Timmins newspaper.

Although this column is two years old, the opinion is very relevant especially during the current Ontario election.-Stan Sudol

Keitha Robson is the manager and CEO of the Timmins Chamber of Commerce.

Now, throw into the mix that our neighbours, Friendly
Manitoba and La Belle Province de Quebec have electricity
prices roughly 60% and 40% lower, respectively, than ours,
and it’s easy to see that Ontario may very well be losing
favour as the great place (which it undoubtedly is) in
which to set up shop. (Keitha Robson, 2009)

We’ve all heard about the trouble with energy: Some sources are running out; some sources are unclean and have negative impacts on the environment; some sources are great for the environment but just can’t produce what we need, affordably.

For Ontario, the plot is a little thicker. And in Northern Ontario, thicker still.

Ontario is the largest consumer of energy in Canada, accounting for 32.3% of total energy use and has one of the highest costs of energy, second only to Alberta. In a province whose bread and butter, the energy-intensive manufacturing industry, continues to be hard pressed by economic pressures, it doesn’t help that energy pricing adds more pressure to the mix.

Not to mention the amount of energy, particularly electricity, that is consumed by mining and forestry companies in Ontario, particularly in Northern Ontario.

Read more

[Northern Ontario] Caribou strategy draws substantial criticism – by Ron Grech (Timmins Daily Press – May 5, 2010)

Ron Grech is a reporter for The Daily Press, the city of Timmins newspaper. Contact the writer at  rgrech@thedailypress.ca

By designating huge tracts of the boreal forest as caribou habitat, the Ontario government will be exposing forestry to a litigious, bureaucratic nightmare, say industry leaders and northern municipal politicians.

“If they define the entire range as caribou habitat, they will be turning forest management over to the court systems because if you want to operate anywhere that is considered habitat, you will have to go to the government to get a permit,” explained Scott Jackson, manager of forest policy with the Ontario Forest Industries Association. “That process is open to frivolous legal challenges. So anyone who wants to stop your operations can start a legal challenge that will probably end up being decided in a courtroom in downtown Toronto.”

The Woodland Caribou Recovery Strategy establishes a line roughly parallel to Highway 11, identifying much of the forest areas north of that as caribou habitat. The Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources has blocked off an expansive stretch that extends across Northern Ontario from the Manitoba border to Quebec.

The strategy clearly aims to not only preserve existing caribou habitat but expand their range and reintroduce them in more southerly regions where they haven’t roamed in decades.

Read more

Gold miners seek to close the gap with bullion – by Brenda Bouw (Globe and Mail – September 20, 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.

VANCOUVER— The world’s top gold miners are forging ahead with expansion plans and higher dividend payments, despite worries that bullion is bound for a correction after a spectacular runup beyond $1,900 (U.S.) an ounce earlier this month.

The companies are vowing to tackle the issue of share values that lag gold prices through aggressive growth plans, rising margins and sweetened dividends, despite the challenges of rising costs and increased competition for investors.

Executives believe that the price of gold will continue to rise and that equities will soon catch up and could even surpass physical gold in returns to investors.

“I do think the equities will respond,” Barrick Gold Corp.chief executive office Aaron Regent told investors at the Denver Gold Show in Colorado Springs, Colo., on Monday. “The equities have not reflected the strong fundamentals of the underlying businesses.”

Read more

Ottawa urged to encourage private-sector projects in remote communities – by Richard Blackwell (Globe and Mail – September 19, 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.

Private sector investment will be crucial if Canada’s remote communities are to grow and prosper, but the federal government must set the stage by cutting red tape and improving education and infrastructure in smaller centres, a new study suggests.

The report, to be released Monday by the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, says a long-term strategy for remote community development is needed, but there are many things the government can do to encourage investment.

The conclusions stem from a series of cross-country round tables conducted with business leaders over the past year, and an online survey, conducted by the chamber in collaboration with General Electric Canada.

The report concluded that remote communities can make a huge contribution to Canada’s overall wealth, mainly because they form the gateway to key resources. Private companies can unlock that wealth, it says, but only if they are encouraged by supportive government policies that can help draw in business investment.

Read more