Static displays and mining equipment of all shapes and sizes connected to local mining and manufacturing companies dotted the North Bay waterfront near the carousel and train Friday and Saturday.
Going with the theme “Remembering the past, embracing the future” the weekend event was a celebration of 100 years of mining in North Bay, embracing the impact the mining industry continues to have on the community.
“Mining isn’t just part of the City of North Bay’s history; it’s part of our identity. From underground contractors to equipment manufacturers, this sector has generated careers, supported families, and driven the local economy for generations,” shared Mark Wagner, president of the Northern Gateway Branch of CIM (Canadian Institute for Mining, Metallurgy, and Petroleum).
“And it will continue to be the critical economic driver of both North Bay and Northern Ontario moving forward.”
There are no superstacks or mills on the landscape or active mines in North Bay, but behind the walls of the brick-and-mortar businesses, global projects and innovations are in the works.
Over 60 local businesses have ties to the mining industry.
“We have over 25 hundred mining-related employees based in North Bay connecting to over 137,000 workers that work for similar companies and divisions around the world. So, it is a major employer in the private sector in North Bay,” added Wagner.
Nipissing MPP, and Ontario’s Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade, Vic Fedeli, toured the 20-plus exhibitors attending the event agreeing that mining is a significant part of the fabric of North Bay.
“The rail, logging in the past, and mining, all resource sector, but now we’ve really shifted to technology,” stated Fedeli who sees a North Bay presence at the Ring of Fire.
“Absolutely. I’ve been to the Ring of Fire five times, and you see North Bay’s drill rods, North Bay’s drill bits, the tents actually were made about 20 years ago when I was there, they were made in Rutherglen. North Bay is everywhere in the Ring of Fire. “
The weekend focused not only on innovation and the future of mining but also on mentors and the history that has brought the industry to where it is today.
“It is to know the impact mining has on North Bay. This is just showcasing what the different companies are doing in the industry, and showing students if they want a career in mining, what possibilities are out there because they are endless; everything from engineering to draft design, and on mine sites you have your hospitality, human resources and so much more,” explained Rachel Cranford, sub-committee chair for 100 Years of mining CIM Northern Gateway branch.
With awareness and knowledge in mind, hundreds of school-aged children attended the event, to learn more about the industry and those future employment opportunities through interactive displays and speaking with business representatives.
Redpath has 200 local employees and another 9,000 globally, operating on every continent.
“From a CIM point of view, we have distributors, exhibits, and construction companies from all around town that all support and participate in the mining industry. So, it is a real asset for the students to come and see all of this,” Tyler Foy, manager of engineering and technical services at Redpath, pointed out.
“A lot of the students and a lot of people who just live in North Bay don’t know that there is such a deep mining connection and so many different providers and construction companies and outfits that deal and service the mining industry. It has to start where you are and to let the kids and the populace know that we are here, and we do this, and that you can get a job,” stated Foy.
“Several of the teachers who have brought their classes here are co-op representatives for their schools, for their boards, so they deal with students who want to go into co-ops, move into apprenticeships, and those who are even interested in more of a STEM curriculum through engineering and things like that. So, from a teacher down to a student perspective, it is very valuable, and very knowledgeable for them. It is great for us to get that out there.”
Companies in North Bay are recognized globally, working on projects and sharing their expertise and innovations from Latin America to Asia to Australia.
Over a decade ago, Cementation used its ingenuity to assist in the rescue of 33 Chilean miners who were trapped underground.
“If you’re in the mining industry and you’re anywhere in the world, names like Redpath, Cementation, WipWare and Boart Longyear, these are prominent names in the industry. These companies are doing great work, based out of North Bay, in places like Mongolia, Surinam, in Africa, in all different corners of the world that you wouldn’t expect,” said Wagner.
Miller Technology is one of those success stories that has a huge footprint globally.
“Miller Technology is a prime example of a company that is producing innovative, world-class technologies right here in North Bay that a lot of people don’t know about,” said Wagner.
“They’re getting into battery electric vehicles; they’re retrofitting existing vehicles and are a leader on that stage in Northern Ontario but also in other countries even as far away as Australia.”
Mining in one form or another has an impact on our everyday lives.
Consider cellphone technology and the amount of minerals needed to make it possible.
“When we talk about any new technology, we need to be able to build and design that. If you can’t grow it, you have to mine it. Even when we think about plants and seeds, farmers use potash to grow their seeds into something usable," said Cranford.
“Mining is involved in everything we do.”
The local mining sector covers different aspects of the mining industry not — just underground and open pit, but in mill and mineral processing.
The local mining sector is also invested in the community, supporting countless charities across the city.
