Ontario Investing in Mining Sector Technology
Ontario is investing in innovative new technology projects in Northern Ontario that will help improve mine productivity, increase operating efficiencies, and help northern businesses expand their global market reach.
Michael Gravelle, Minister of Northern Development and Mines, made the announcement today while speaking about the province's thriving mining industry during the official opening of the Ontario Pavilion at the annual Prospectors and Developers Association Convention (PDAC).
Funding through the province's Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC) will support the following four mining supply and service companies in the districts of Greater Sudbury and Nipissing:
Drillco Mining and Exploration will receive $250,000 to design, build and field-test the first prototype of the MDS1, the next generation Modular Drilling System, which will be capable of drilling three common platforms, including underground, surface and fly-in operations.Nordic Minesteel Technologies Inc. will receive $250,000 to design, create and manufacture a prototype of the Speed Lifter. The Speed Lifter will be able to safely lift and secure a 400-ton truck in less than two minutes.Foraco Canada Ltd. will receive nearly $200,000 to create a self-propelled Mobile F36 Skid Steer - Longhole Drill Prototype for underground drilling, which will increase productivity, efficiencies and safety of long-hole drilling operations. It will be the first of its kind in the mining industry.RDH Mining Equipment Ltd. will receive over $200,000 to create a Load Haul Dump machine, a smaller loader than the company typically manufactures. This one-cubic-meter Load Haul Dump machine will open up the narrow-vein market for RDH and serve as a frame design for future powertrain development.
In total, these projects will create or retain more than 50 full-time jobs.
Investing in the exploration and mineral development sector is part of Ontario's plan to create fairness and opportunity during this period of rapid economic change. The plan includes a higher minimum wage and better working conditions, free tuition for hundreds of thousands of students, easier access to affordable child care, and free prescription drugs for everyone under 25 through the biggest expansion of medicare in a generation.
Quick Facts
Ontario is one of the top ten jurisdictions in the world for investment, according to the Fraser Institute's Survey of Mining Companies, 2017 [PDF].In Ontario, there are over 26,000 direct jobs in mineral production, and an additional 50,000 indirect jobs are associated with mineral processing and manufacturing.PDAC 2018 is expected to draw 24,000 attendees from 130 countries.The NOHFC is investing close to $1,000,000 in four Northern Ontario industrial suppliers whose projects will enhance safety, production, cost-effectiveness and market share in the mineral development sector.Since 2013, the province has invested more than $621 million through the NOHFC in 3,846 projects, leveraging more than $2.2 billion in direct economic activity, and creating or sustaining over 15,300 jobs in Northern Ontario.In 2017, the NOHFC has approved over $156 million, leveraging over $813 million toward 893 projects in Northern Ontario. Through this, 2,742 jobs have been created and retained.Additional Resources
NOHFC programsQuotes
"Our government is investing in these innovative and unique products to foster growth and opportunity in the mining sector in Northern Ontario. Industry breakthroughs and new technologies like these continue to strengthen the province's position as a global leader in mining and mineral development."
"It was a pleasure to join Minister Gravelle at the opening of the Ontario Pavilion again this year at PDAC. Ontario continues to be a global leader across the entire mining industry. From world-class mineral production and a cutting-edge mining supply and services sector, to the TSX's position as the global mining finance capital, Ontario is certainly positioned to maintain its well-earned reputation as one of the best places for the mining industry to invest."
Chris Hodgson