SUDBURY - Sudbury's MineConnect, which represents hundreds of mining supply businesses and services across Northern Ontario, is now officially known as the agency representing mine supply companies throughout the province.
The announcement was made on Sept. 24 by Marla Tremblay, MineConnect’s executive director, at MINExpo International in Las Vegas, Nevada, billed as the world’s largest mining industry event. This followed a memorandum of understanding signed between MineConnect and the Mining Suppliers Trade Association (MTSA).
“Northern Ontario, as you know, is a hotbed of mining, a lot of great activity taking place, and a lot more to come," Tremblay told a crowd of delegates, most from Northern Ontario.
She said MineConnect underwent a significant name change three years ago, moving away from its original title, SAMSSA (the Sudbury Area Mining Supply and Service Association), that it had held for decades.
She said the organization was renamed as MineConnect because it more accurately represents the organization’s position as the mining supply industry representative across Northern Ontario. She said it was a successful change and the brand has become well-known across the North, but now it’s time to once again broaden the scope of what MineConnect does.
"So we were SAMSSA … We are now MineConnect Northern Ontario. And as of this moment, we are MineConnect Ontario," Tremblay said.
"We know that there's a tonne of activity taking place throughout the province. We need to work together. Having a solid supply chain is incredibly important,” said Tremblay.
"And it's also important to us to be working with our domestic partners in the other provinces, which is a lot of what we do at our level," she added.
Tremblay was joined at the event by Ontario Mines Minister George Pirie, who told the international crowd the mining industry is essential to the western democracies for the successful extraction of critical minerals.
Pirie said he was pleased to be the one advocating for the strength of mining in Ontario.
"Mining really is not just about advocating for Ontario mining, It's advocating for all across Canada and, quite frankly, all across the western democracies in the US and in Europe," said Pirie.
"Take a look at our pavilion over there. Take a look at the map. We have got what the world needs in critical minerals and rare earths and gold as well," said Pirie.
Also taking part in the MineConnect announcement was Greater Sudbury Mayor Paul Lefebvre who recalled the early work of SAMSSA was not just to boost the role of mining supply businesses, but to showcase their goods and services to a global audience.
Lefebvre said mining is an economic engine for the Northern Ontario economy and MineCollect has been supporting that.
“And I can tell you, as mayor of the City of Greater Sudbury and talking to my colleagues in Thunder Bay, Timmins, the Sault and North Bay, it's the backbone of our economies." said Lefebvre.
He said mining and mining supply provides good, well-paying jobs that support many communities in the North.
"The fact that we have MineConnect, coming together with the MSTA and showcasing that around the world, right here at MINExpo and at other conferences around the world. I think it's a great continuation and great start of a great partnership.”
MINExpo International
MInexpo is hosted every four years by the National Mining Association, attracting tens of thousands of delegates from around the world. From Sept. 24-26, delegates spend three days learning about the latest technology, innovation, and best practices in the industry, while networking with others in the sector.
This year, 32 exhibitors from across Northern Ontario will join as part of the Northern Ontario Mining Showcase. The popular delegation has previously exhibited at the annual conventions of the Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada and the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum.
This year, Greater Sudbury sent six representatives to the event, including Mayor Paul Lefebvre. Attendance at the event cost Sudbury taxpayers $36,392, which was offset somewhat by federal funding to offset travel costs through CanExport.
“City attendance at this event offers unique networking opportunities that extend beyond the office environment and create the relationships that are needed to drive economic growth for our city,” the city said in a statement to Sudbury.com. “It offers an opportunity to stay connected with industry partners and organizations, while staying up-to-date on the latest emerging innovations.
“We also see the impact on our economic growth and investment attraction – over the last several years, multiple companies have attributed the relationship they created with City staff as a key decision factor in opening or relocating their offices in Greater Sudbury.”
Len Gillis covers mining news and health care for Sudbury.com
