MIRARCO

With the mining industry worldwide searching for innovative solutions to competitive challenges such as increasing mine efficiencies and optimizing massive amounts of geological data, industry leaders are keeping an eye on the technologies emerging from a growing cluster of research centres in Sudbury, at the very heart of northern Ontario's mining community. More...

Vale launches $3.4 billion investment in Ontario

Clearly signalling the bright future Vale sees in Ontario, the company has launched a five-year, $3.4 billion program to upgrade its mining and processing facilities in Sudbury. Vale's offices in Toronto have also expanded to become the headquarters for Vale's global base metals business. "Vale is committed to becoming the biggest and best mining company in the world, and Canada has an important role to play in that effort," said Tito Martins, Chief Executive Officer of Vale Canada and Executive Director, Base Metals for Vale. "Whether it's opening a new mine in Ontario or developing leading technologies at our world-class research facilities in Mississauga, we plan on being here for a very long time."

Clear, fair rules are key for First Nickel

Mining lore is studded with rags-to-riches stories and Sudbury's First Nickel shows all the signs of joining that illustrious group. The company went public in 2004 as a junior nickel explorer, and acquired a nickel-copper mine in Sudbury in 2005. After surviving the economic downturn, the company is now moving ahead with development of its Lockerby mine and will continue exploration on other projects in Sudbury and elsewhere in Ontario.

First Nickel chose to build its business from inception in Ontario and Bill Anderson, the company's President and CEO, can easily list some factors that indicate why.

"What it all comes down to is that the rules are fair and clear," he said. "Ontario has a very progressive mining act that covers every phase of mining from exploration to mine closure and the courts will enforce it. Clarity on regulatory matters and security of tenure are of huge importance to mining companies. Ontario also has communities with a long history and legacy of mining, excellent exploration potential, and a government that recognizes the value of the sector. In short, Ontario is a great place to do business."

A diamond comes shining through

In 1987, while working with De Beers Exploration in the James Bay Lowlands of Northern Ontario, university student Brad Wood went fishing to pass the time while he waited for the rest of the team to return to camp after their weekend break. Along the Attawapiskat River, he discovered Kimberlite boulders. Twenty-one years and approximately $1 billion later, Ontario's first diamond mine - the Victor Mine - officially opened. In 2009, it was voted "Mine of the Year" by the readers of the prestigious international trade publication Mining Magazine. "The Victor Mine opened safely, ahead of schedule and under budget," said De Beers Canada Chief Operating Officer Chantal Lavoie. "We reached full production in just six months and our success was due in large part to the mining expertise available here in Ontario, as well as the support from the local communities and government who worked with us to establish a brand new industry in the province."

Virtual reality technology discovers real-world gold

High grade and high tech go hand-in-hand at the Red Lake Mine in north-western Ontario, Canada's largest gold mine and one of the richest and lowest-cost gold producers in the world. The mine has been in production since the 1940s and remains one of Goldcorp's key assets for future growth.

Goldcorp uses leading-edge techniques to produce 600,000 ounces of gold annually at a cost of under $300 per ounce. A fibre optic network links underground and surface operations. Voice, video and data stream into a state-of-the-art virtual reality studio on-site for mine exploration, design and planning. As a sign of its confidence in Northern Ontario, Goldcorp invested $38 million on exploration in Red Lake Mine area in 2010, bringing total reserves to over 4 million ounces.

"For a mining company, Northern Ontario is a great place to do business," says Ian Telfer, Goldcorp's Chairman and former CEO. "The communities are very supportive, which is a big plus. There's an experienced labour force, the infrastructure is good and the government of Ontario is very supportive of mining, especially in remote areas."