Grand Opening of CME 2023

by Frank Giorno, editor https://mininglifeonline.net

The 30th Anniversary Edition of the Canadian Mining Expo got underway yesterday at the McIntyre Community Centre with a grand opening featuring Timmins Mayor Michelle Boileau, George Pirie, Ontario Minister of Mines, and Stacy Wight Mayor of Kirkland Lake.

The CME 2023 takes place on the traditional lands of the Mattagami First Nation. A traditional First Nations drumming circle from the Timmins Native Friendship Centre was present and provided sacred drumming to usher in CME 2023.

Also appearing at the Grand Opening were Glenn Dredhart the President of CME 2023, and Julie Joncas, Director of the Far North East Training Board.  FNETB and Northern College are hosting a Career Fair in the McIntyre Auditorium.

The Grand Opening event was hosted by Timmins Comic Duo Kinz and Klomp.

The first day of the CME 2023 featured a Breakfast Meeting sponsored by the Federation Chambers of Commerce Quebec. The breakfast meeting focused on the rising critical minerals sector in Quebec. Recently, Nemaska Lithium signed an agreement to supply lithium to Ford Motors for their manufacturing of electric vehicle batteries.

A forum on Indigenous Partnerships and Critical Minerals followed with Nicole Charbonneau, Mining Advisor to Wabun Council, outlining the Wabun approach to reaching agreements with mining exploration companies and later productive mines. Mines Minister George Pirie was the luncheon speaker and he addressed the Ontario government's New Build More Mines Act as incorporating respect for the Indigenous Community. First, it enshrines, the duty to consult legal principles and it also incorporates the strong environmental regulations that protect the indigenous communities from activities that are harmful to their traditional lands. Finally, Minister Pirie talked of the benefits to the First Nations on whose traditional lands mining activity takes place. Resource benefit agreements help improve the well-being of indigenous communities by providing direct employment to community members and also providing funds for mining relating service companies to start.

An example of a partnership between BMI and Red Rock First Nations was featured. The partnership was created to rebuild and improve Red Rock Harbour to be a major link in the critical mineral supply chain from northern Ontario to refining facilities and primary markets in Canada, the United States and Europe. Security of supply is critical for ensuring electric vehicle batteries are produced for the electric car market

Among the companies speaking were Canada Nickel, EV Nickel, Nobel Minerals, and Magna Mining. 

The Ministry of Mines representatives spoke on the critical minerals list, where potential exploration sites are located and the role of the Ontario Geological Survey.

People interested in a career in Mining should bring their resumes and attend Explore Your Options in Mining sponsored by the Far North East Training Board and Northern College. Company human resources officials are on hand to interview those seeking mining as their chosen career

For information on the Career Fair and the Projects in the Pipeline forum plus the trade show exhibitors please click on the following link:

https://virtex.canadianminingexpo.com/
 

 

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Tags: Northern Ontario / Events / All Articles