THUNDER BAY — Think of Wednesday’s Reverse Expo as speed dating for companies in the minerals sector.
Four mining companies came to a local hotel ballroom and gave presentations to local companies that supply and service the sector. Following their presentations, the miners had business-to-business meetings with the service and supply businesses.
One person hearing what the miners had to say was Denise Atkinson, a Red Rock Indian Band member who is chief executive officer of Tipi Horse Connects, which connects employers with Indigenous workers.
“It’s been amazing,” Atkinson said of the Reverse Expo held by the Thunder Bay Community Economic Development Commission and MineConnect.
“There’s such a great cross section of different corporations, other entrepreneurs,” she said. “It’s great to have a seat at the table with all these amazing companies.
“Mining companies are working on our traditional territories, so it’s really important for us as Indigenous entrepreneurs to get a chance at … these opportunities in our area,” Atkinson said.
The mining companies at the expo were First Mining Gold, Newmont Musselwhite (soon to be part of Orla Mining), West Red Lake Gold Mines and Green Technology Metals.
First Mining is trying to start an open-pit mine at Springpole Lake in Northwestern Ontario.
The Musselwhite gold mine recently acquired from Newmont by Orla Mining employs hundreds of people at a site north of Pickle Lake.
West Red Lake told the expo it plans to restart the Madsen gold mine in the Red Lake district.
Green Technology’s projects include the Seymour lithium project near Armstrong.
The provincial government wants “to make sure that more local Northwestern Ontario businesses are involved” as mining grows in Northwestern Ontario, Kenora-Rainy River MPP and Northern Development Minister Greg Rickford told Newswatch at the expo.
“And the reason I’m here with respect to that is, many of those businesses are currently supported through the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund,” he added.
“And so the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund is a partner with that business … We want them to know that we’ve got their back and that they’ve got this.”
Jamie Taylor, CEO of the Thunder Bay Economic Development Commission, said the city “is definitely a regional hub for mining supply and service. We have over 400 supply and service companies that are registered with us on our mining supply service list.”
She said the expo “exemplifies (the commission’s) commitment to fostering partnerships and driving economic growth.
“By connecting our local businesses directly with industry leaders, we’re unlocking opportunities that will strengthen our community and ensure a sustainable future.”
