Dick DeStefano is the Executive Director of Sudbury Area Mining Supply and Service Association (SAMSSA). His column was originally published in Sudbury Mining Solutions Journal, a magazine that showcases the mining expertise of North Bay, Timmins and Sudbury. destefan@isys.ca

A comprehensive survey of Northern Ontario mining supply and service companies supports earlier estimates that this sector is a significant wealth creator in Northern Ontario.

SAMSSA joined forces with a number of supporting partners to examine the importance of the mining supply and service sector and especially its claim that this mining support cluster is one of the most concentrated in the world. The partners included the Sudbury Area Mining Supply and Service Association (SAMSSA), the Ontario Ministry of Northern Development, Mines and Forestry (MNDMF), Ontario North Economic Development Corp. (ONE DC) and FedNor (Industry Canada).

The overall objective was to assess growth opportunities and outline a plan to realize them through concerted stakeholder action, both public and private.

Primary information for this analysis was complied by Doyletech Corporation over a five month period through interviews with 150 companies and three focus groups. Read the rest of this entry »

Dr. David Robinson is an economist at Laurentian University in Sudbury, Canada. His column was originally published in May 2010 issue of Sudbury Mining Solutions Journal a magazine that showcases the mining expertise of North Bay, Timmins and Sudbury.  drobinson@laurentian.ca

For an extensive list of articles on this mineral discovery, please go to: Ontario’s Ring of Fire Mineral Discovery

One way to get attention in the mining world is to mention the Ring of Fire. Apparently, it doesn’t matter whether your column is really about the Ring of Fire. Just mention this new wonder of the world and you get noticed.

I am far too proud to use such a sleazy technique, but the Ring of Fire (three mentions so far) is an enormous opportunity for the mining supply and services sector.  In fact, the Ring of Fire offers a chance to move Northern Ontario’s mining supply and services sector to a new level.

Cliffs Natural Resources intends to process as much as 800,000 tons of chromite annually, which would place the company in fifth place among producing countries – between Russia and Brazil. Production at that rate could continue for a hundred years. At 2007 prices, the annual value would exceed $250 million. Current prices are lower but expected to rise as demand for stainless steel surges.

For the province, developing the Ring of Fire will produce a huge building boom. It will provide jobs for miners and for the 1,200 people in three small First Nation communities: Webequie, Neskantaga and Marten Falls.  Since these are fly-in communities, the new mines will have to pay for all-weather roads and a rail line. Read the rest of this entry »