Mining the economic engine of Abitibi-Témiscamingue Region

For most of the population, mines that are in development widely represent what is known as the mining industry. Nevertheless, few people have any knowledge of this industry’s importance in everyday life.

Just in Abitibi-Témiscamingue alone, there are close to 20 mines in operation. In addition there is the Horne Smelter, which is at the origin of the birth of Rouyn and Noranda in 1927.

With a closer data analysis, we find that the companies that revolve around the mining industry number over 360.

In the end, these 380 mining companies singlehandedly offer jobs to nearly 10,000 people. That makes the mining industry a major economic factor in Abitibi-Témiscamingue.

The role of these companies is not merely to offer employment. They are motors that feed marvellously the sector of innovation. The latter develops products which, in addition to meeting the specific needs of mining companies, are exported to other economic sectors.

It is this strength that allows the companies to be self-sufficient and survive any slump in the mining cycle.

For the firms hired by the mining companies, the time is ripe to create a role in the mineral sector and, at the same time, to develop innovations that will apply to other sectors.

The Meglab Company in Val-d’Or is a perfect case in point. It was founded in 2005 by Louis Valade when the mining world was not at its best. Today, the company is increasingly solicited for contracts and is involved in the enhancement of existing technologies.

With the Société de recherche et de développement minier, Megalab is involved in the development of a surveillance system for elevator cables that will soon be put to the test.

“If a cable is at risk of rupturing, the system will stop the mine cage (elevator) from working. This system will also have a potential for office elevators, cable cars and more,” added M. Valade.

Meglab also offers the MicroCage technology, which allows wireless communication from the cage when underground and heading toward the surface.