July 18, 2011 – Republic of Mining

Northern Ontario Policy Advice for Tim Hudak – by Livio Di Matteo (July 14, 2011)

July 19, 2011July 18, 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/

Ontario PC Leader Tim Hudak is in Thunder Bay today and along with an appearance at The Hoito will also be addressing a luncheon being sponsored by the Thunder Bay Chamber of Commerce. According to the most recent poll by Ipsos-Reid, Mr. Hudak’s Conservatives hold an 11 point lead over the Liberals overall but have even stronger support outside of the GTA. Even Northern Ontario apparently has Mr. Hudak in the lead. However, it is only July and the election is not until October and given the voting tradition in the North, red and orange rather than blue are the usual autumn colours. Perhaps, Mr. Hudak will prove them wrong. Nevertheless, internal party polling must have revealed this trend earlier, which is why this week also saw more aggressive Liberal ads attacking Tim Hudak.

Mr. Hudak, should he become premier, will certainly have his hands full given Ontario’s productivity challenge, Ontario’s infrastructure challenge and Ontario’s fiscal challenge. Moreover, there is also Ontario’s northern economic development challenge. What policy suggestions would Northern Economist like to leave with Mr. Hudak?

NEWS RELEASE: Message to Mines Ministers: Booming Mining Sector Offers Opportunities Coast to Coast to Coast

July 18, 2011

OTTAWA, July 18, 2011 /CNW/ – The Mining Association of Canada (MAC) today released a submission to Canada’s ministers of natural resources in advance of the annual meeting of federal, provincial and territorial ministers, being held July 18-19 in Kananaskis Alberta. The submission was prepared by MAC on behalf of the Canadian Mineral Industry Federation, a grouping of the 15 national, provincial and territorial mining industry associations, and highlights the significant economic opportunity for new mining investment.

With strong and, in some cases, record commodity prices, the global mining industry is enjoying a period of growth and expansion not seen in many years. In Canada, this is leading to the expansion of existing facilities, the development of new projects and increased exploration, with Canada continuing to attract the largest percentage of global exploration spending. Over the next five years, MAC has estimated that over $110 billion could be invested in existing and new projects, creating thousands of high-paying jobs in every region of the country.

The submission highlights the important role played by the Canadian mining industry in contributing to national prosperity – such as contributing $35 billion to GDP, generating prosperity in remote areas as well as our major cities, accounting for 21% of total Canadian goods exports, and paying almost $10 billion annually to Canadian governments.

2011 mineral industry recommendations to Canada’s Energy and Mines Ministers Conference – Kananaskis, Alberta, July 2011

July 18, 2011

The PDAC, the Mining Association of Canada (MAC) and members of the Canadian Mineral Industry Federation (CMIF) were invited to provide federal, provincial and territorial mines ministers with views and recommendations regarding policy issues of importance to our industry. The CMIF members represent the majority of companies engaged in mineral exploration, mining, and processing – accounting for most of Canada’s production of base and precious metals, uranium, diamonds, metallurgical and thermal coal, potash and mined oil sands.

Tens of Billions of Dollars in New Investment – A Course of Action for Ministers

A Brief to the 68th Mines Ministers’ Conference, Kananaskis Submitted by the Canadian Mineral Industry Federation, July 2011

The Mining Association of Canada (MAC), the Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada (PDAC) and the fifteen other mining-related associations that are members of the Canadian Mineral Industry Federation (CMIF) appreciate this opportunity to provide federal, provincial and territorial Mines Ministers with views and recommendations regarding policy issues of importance to our industry. The CMIF members represent the majority of companies engaged in mineral exploration, mining, and processing – accounting for most of Canada’s production of base and precious metals, uranium, diamonds, metallurgical and thermal coal, potash and mined oil sands.

1.0 OVERVIEW OF CANADA’S MINERALS INDUSTRY

The Canadian Economy

After seven years of strong performance from 2000 to 2007, a global recession took hold in late-2008 and served to reduce Canadian GDP by 2.5% through 2009. Mineral prices fell in most commodities, operations in mines and smelters were reduced and mineral exploration spending curtailed. However, global economic growth, again led by China, resumed in the final quarter of 2009 and has continued to be strong through 2010 and the first two quarters of 2011.

NEWS RELEASE: KWG Applauds Unity Declaration of Matawa Chiefs

July 18, 2011

Montreal, Canada, July 15, 2011 – KWG Resources Inc. (TSXV: KWG) welcomes the announcement yesterday of the Unity Declaration made by the Chiefs of the nine First Nations of the Matawa Council of First Nations.

“This is an exceedingly encouraging development”, said KWG President Frank Smeenk. “There has been a lot of jockeying amongst all the players affected by the Ring of Fire discoveries, and the Chiefs are demonstrating their profound wisdom in determining to act together to confront those opportunities for all of their communities and people.”

“We are in complete agreement with Chief Moonias of the Marten Falls First Nation when he observed, in the press release announcing the Unity Declaration: ‘Our First Nations do not oppose responsible development but as the people of the land, we want to benefit from these potential mining developments and negotiate meaningful employment and business opportunities for our communities, while ensuring the environment is not at risk’.”