Canadian Mining Expo set to launch in Timmins

Next week, Timmins hosts the annual Canadian Mining Expo. For more than 30 years, the expo has put the city on a global mining stage.

This year, organizers expect more than 5,000 delegates to attend from around Canada and the world.

From June 3-5, the McIntyre Community Centre in Schumacher will be packed with 400 exhibits related to the mining industry.

This year, the expo includes a job fair, an Indigenous forum and a Women in Mining Leadership breakfast.

“When somebody comes to the Timmins show, they’re actually seeing the manufacturers that produce the products that help to make the mines safer, more productive, with less downtime,” said Glen Dredhart, president of Canadian Trade-Ex.

New tech demonstrations

“It’s handy because aside from this show here in Timmins, you might have to go to Las Vegas or something to get that feel.”

New this year will be demonstrations of technology and equipment at the booths.

“A guy will come in that manufactures these torque wrenches, and he’ll have his product, and he’ll have his competitor’s product, and he’ll show the difference between one product and another,” said Dredhart.

Timmins Mayor Michelle Boileau said she’s excited to learn more about the new technology that will be on display.

“There’s been such great advancements in the technology and the innovation that’s being used in the mining industry,” Boileau said.

“It’s really interesting to learn about their applications in mining, but also, you know, across applications and other industries.”

The Projects in the Pipeline Conference is another popular aspect of the expo that will reveal insider knowledge on upcoming mining and exploration projects throughout the Abitibi Greenstone Belt.

Executives from Discovery Porcupine, the company that recently purchased Newmont Porcupine, said they are looking forward to networking at the event.

“Our published economic estimates foresee a mine life of over 20 years from our existing assets, that we’re operating here in the Timmins camp today and that’s really only a springboard for some advanced exploration work we’re going to carry out,” said Jeff Dawson, mine operations manager with Discovery Porcupine.

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“We have a tremendous potential to expand our production … potentially restarting the existing Dome asset, which has been idled for a number of years, which is also now under the purview of Discovery Porcupine, as well as some other operations like the TVZ zone, which has long been dormant just in the shadow of the Hoyle Pond headframe.”

The Canadian Mining Expo kicks off June 3 with a gala dinner and awards, including bursaries for students.