This article was provided by the Ontario Mining Association (OMA), an organization that was established in 1920 to represent the mining industry of the province.

Mining was given top billing as a builder of Ontario’s future prosperity in the throne speech opening the new session of the provincial legislature yesterday.  Ontario Mining Association President Chris Hodgson attended the throne speech as an invited guest of Premier Dalton McGuinty.  “It is positive to see mining recognized in this important address as a contributor to solving Ontario’s economic challenges,” said Mr. Hodgson.   

In introducing the launch of the five year “Open Ontario Plan” for economic growth and development, the speech, delivered by Lieutenant Governor David Onley, recognized the important role of mining.  “Your government will ensure the North benefits from its Open Ontario Plan,” he said. 

“In 2008, Northern Ontario became home to our first diamond mine.  Your government will build on that success – particularly in the region know as the Ring of Fire.  It is said to contain one of the largest chromite deposits in the world – a key ingredient in stainless steel.”

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This article was provided by the Ontario Mining Association (OMA), an organization that was established in 1920 to represent the mining industry of the province.

The Ontario Mining Association´s submission on the Mining Amendment Act and the Far North Act suggests both pieces of proposed legislation need some additional work, if they are to achieve the government´s intended goals.  The OMA submitted a full version of its review of Bill 173, Mining Amendment Act, and Bill 191, Far North Act, to the Legislature´s Standing Committee on General Government today. 

Last month, OMA President Chris Hodgson presented highlights of the OMA´s views to this committee at hearings in Thunder Bay.  Mr. Hodgson was accompanied at the public consultation by John Blogg, OMA Secretary and Manager of Industrial Relations, Adele Faubert, Manager of Aboriginal Affairs at Goldcorp´s Musselwhite Mine, and Jerome Girard, Mill Superintendent at the Musselwhite Mine. 

“Recent turbulence in the economy has had a negative impact on our industry, but there are steps that the government can take to ensure Ontario remains in an optimal position to take advantage of the next boom in commodity prices,” said the OMA submission.  “Bill 173 and Bill 191 are a start in that direction, but only if this committee ensures that the amendments recommended are in fact implemented in a manner that will foster the growth of mining in the province.”

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This article was provided by the Ontario Mining Association (OMA), an organization that was established in 1920 to represent the mining industry of the province.

The Ontario Mining Association submitted its views on two important pieces of legislation today at hearings in Thunder Bay.  OMA President Chris Hodgson presented the Association´s report to the Legislature´s Standing Committee on General Government, which is reviewing both Bill 173, An Act to Amend the Mining Act, and Bill 191, An Act with respect to land use planning and protection of the Far North.  Joining Mr. Hodgson was John Blogg, OMA Secretary and Manager of Industrial Relations, along with Adele Faubert, Manager of Aboriginal Affairs at Goldcorp´s Musselwhite Mine, and Jerome Girard, Mill Superintendent at the Musselwhite Mine.

The OMA stuck to three main points on each piece of legislation.  “The OMA does have some concerns with Bill 173 and would like to seek clarification on some aspects of the proposed legislation, ensuring that there are no ambiguities impairing the ability of mining to continue to play the major role it does in the economic and social development of Ontario,” said Mr. Hodgson.  On the Mining Act, the OMA focused on the duty to consult, Notice of Material Changes concerning existing closure plans and consultation and the dispute resolution process. 

“A basic foundation of mining success in Ontario — the things that set us apart and give us an advantage over some other jurisdictions with significant mineral potential — is rule of law and certainty of title,” said Mr. Hodgson.  “For this reason, the Aboriginal consultation provisions in Bill 173 need to be clear, transparent and consistent with current case law, which states the government has the primary duty, with some exceptions, to consult with Aboriginal communities.”  The OMA also asked for greater clarity in mine closure plan consultation rules and the make-up of tribunals to handle disputes, which may arise.

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This article was provided by the Ontario Mining Association (OMA), an organization that was established in 1920 to represent the mining industry of the province.

The Ontario Mining Association Environment Committee has representatives from most member companies, who possess a wide spectrum of specialties and tackle a broad palate of issues and concerns.  Under the leadership of Committee Chair Nancy Duquet-Harvey of Northgate Minerals, about 30 of the green miners met recently in Timmins.  The group had an extremely full agenda in the session, which followed the second Ontario Mine Reclamation Symposium and Field Trip.

The OMA Environment Committee regularly deals with the Ministry of Environment and handles both analysis of proposed legislation and regulations and proactively develops programs, protocols and, in some cases, computer software to improve environmental performance and reporting of member companies.  The group makes it a habit of sharing best practices, communicating well and working co-operatively.  The collective expertise that members bring to the Committee makes it possible to effectively address issues that are highly complex and technical. 

Major items on the agenda for the recent Timmins meeting included responses to the Toxics Reduction Act and the air standards setting process under Regulation 419.  The Committee has made two submissions on the toxics reduction initiative, expressing support for the government´s intent, but concern about provisions for very broad regulation-making powers and the lack of any defined test setting out how “toxic substances” will be identified and designated. 

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This article was provided by the Ontario Mining Association (OMA), an organization that was established in 1920 to represent the mining industry of the province.

The Ontario Mining Association highlighted many of the contributions of mining in a web-based seminar of the Lake Superior Binational program.  “Ontario Mining: A Partner in Prosperity Building” was the title of the OMA presentation in a workshop on the Socio-Economic Aspects of Mining in the Lake Superior Basin.

“There are lots of statistics with dollar signs that could be used to illustrate the positive economic impact of mining,” said Peter McBride, OMA Manager of Communications.  “However, the real impact of mining is its role in developing people and communities.  Mining provides a broad scope of employment and entrepreneurial opportunities, community building and infrastructure enhancement.”

Ontario´s place as the number one mining jurisdiction in Canada both in terms of mineral production and mineral exploration was emphasized.  Mining provides Ontario with a trade surplus of about $3.3 billion, corporate tax revenues of more than $600 million and an industry payroll of about $1.2 billion, annually.  The sector invests about $2.7 billion annually in R&D, exploration, construction and equipment.

Other presentations at the webinar of the Lake Superior Binational Program´s Mining Sub-Committee, which was chaired by Mike Ripley of the Sault Ste. Marie based Chippewa Ottawa Resource Authority, included Peter Homenuck who is a consultant and professor emeritus in environmental studies at York University.  Read the rest of this entry »

This article was provided by the Ontario Mining Association (OMA), an organization that was established in 1920 to represent the mining industry of the province.

Ontario Mining Association President Chris Hodgson was on hand to help Minister of Natural Resources Donna Cansfield raise the curtain on Far North planning legislation earlier this week.   This legislation is a step towards permanent protection of about half, or 225,000 square kilometres, of Ontario´s Far North through a network of conservation areas.

This new bill proposes to enable community based land use planning involving First Nations in the determination of areas to be protected and areas available for sustainable economic development, to conserve habitat for a number of animal and plant species and to assist climate change efforts by ensuring much of Ontario´s Far North landscape acts as a giant carbon sink.  “This legislation would contribute to a sustainable and more prosperous future for the people and communities of the Far North and provide important and far-reaching environmental and economic benefits for our province as a whole,” said Minister Cansfield.

“On behalf of OMA members, we favour an open and transparent approach in which information is shared,” said Mr. Hodgson.  “Adding greater certainty to the process in a timely fashion assists in business related and investment and employment decisions.  We look forward to working with Minister Cansfield and her staff to help advance the Far North land use planning process.” 

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This article was provided by the Ontario Mining Association (OMA), an organization that was established in 1920 to represent the mining industry of the province.

Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty joined representatives of all three political parties at Queen´s Park to show their support for the contributions of the mineral industry at the Ontario Mining Association´s Meet the Miners Day event in the Legislature.   In speaking to the audience of approximately 200 people, Premier McGuinty thanked those in the mining industry for working hard to build the quality of life we enjoy in this province.  Meet the Miners is an OMA event at Queen´s Park involving member companies and their employees, which helps shine the spotlight on the industry in provincial governmental circles. 

“While many things have changed in the world since last year, the contributions to the society and economy of Ontario of mining, especially given current global economic circumstances, are more important than ever to communities and the province,” said OMA President Chris Hodgson.  “On behalf of our members, we want to be — and are — a part of the solution to help draw Ontario out of this recession.”

“In this age, we may be drowning in information but we are thirsting for wisdom,” said Premier McGuinty.  “I want to thank miners for their work ethic and for pulling together in tough times.  Keep doing what you are doing and we can meet our shared responsibility of building a better Ontario for our children.”

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This article was provided by the Ontario Mining Association (OMA), an organization that was established in 1920 to represent the mining industry of the province.

Several measures announced by Ontario Finance Minister Dwight Duncan in the 2009 provincial Budget yesterday promise tax savings to Ontario mineral producers.  Perhaps the most important is the move to a single value added tax by July 1, 2010, which could save the mining sector potentially millions of dollars annually.  This federally administered value added tax would have a combined rate of 13% — 8% for Ontario, matching the soon to be phased out retail sales tax, and 5% for Ottawa, matching the current Goods and Services Tax (GST).  

The value added tax allows companies to be reimbursed for tax paid on business inputs through tax credits.  It is estimated that Ontario´s $10 billion-plus mining sector spends about $3 billion annually on these inputs to production.  More than 90% of these production inputs are purchased in Canada and 80% of the province´s mineral output is exported.  The arithmetic may be complicated for individual companies and there is a lag in receiving benefits of the tax credits, but the potential for tax saving — freeing more dollars for future investment — is significant.

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This article was provided by the Ontario Mining Association (OMA), an organization that was established in 1920 to represent the mining industry of the province.

The mining industry in Ontario is a cornerstone of the provincial economy providing benefits that far outweigh its relative size, according to a study released yesterday.  “Ontario Mining: A Made-in-Ontario Success Story” was presented by its author tax specialist Greg New at Queen´s Park during the Ontario Mining Association´s Meet the Miners Day.  This report on mining´s impact and contributions to the economy and society of Ontario is produced every other year for the Ontario Mining Association with the assistance and cooperation of the Ministry of Northern Development and Mines.  The previous study was titled “Ontario Mining: A High-Tech Productivity Powerhouse.”

“Overall, the Ontario mining industry matters to Ontario for its direct $10.7 billion in mineral production and related tax revenues, and jobs this production sustains, but also for the fact that it is a largely made-in-Ontario industry that contributes disproportionately to both the provincial tax base and the province´s international balance of trade,” said the report.   This study aims to provide answers, with supporting statistics, to the who, what, where, when, how and why questions often asked about the industry.

Highlights of the study would include: The total value of mineral production in Ontario in 2007 was $10.7 billion; Mining provides Ontario with a trade surplus of about $3.3 billion annually; The productivity of the industry continues to improve – each mining industry employee accounts for $660,000 of output annually; Jobs in the mining industry continue to be among the highest paid in Ontario; Total capital investment in Ontario mining, including research, exploration, construction and equipment, reached $2.7 billion in 2007, representing an increase of 58% from 2004;

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This article was provided by the Ontario Mining Association (OMA), an organization that was established in 1920 to represent the mining industry of the province.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed by the Mining Association of Canada (MAC) and the Assembly of First Nations strengthens the existing links between these two groups.  Through this MOU, the mining industry will boost its engagement with First Nations economies creating employment and business opportunities.  The MOU was signed by National Chief Phil Fontaine and Jim Gowans, President of Ontario Mining Association member De Beers Canada and Chair of the MAC.  This historic initiative got underway when MAC and the Assembly of First Nations signed a letter of intent in November 2007.

“In resource development, First Nations and the mining community are natural partners,” said National Chief Fontaine.  “Developing a new partnership between the AFN and MAC will complement and enhance the growing relationships between First Nations and Canada´s major mining companies.  The resource sector will come back stronger than ever in the very near future.  With a growing land base and growing populations, First Nations are poised to be key players in the years and decades to come,” he added.  “We want to work together towards greater certainty and sustainable mining developments that will contribute significantly to the economic, social and environmental well-being of First Nations.”

“Canada´s mining industry is the largest private sector employer of Aboriginal people,” said Mr. Gowans. Read the rest of this entry »