Showcasing Northern Ontario’s mining expertise to the world

Northern Survey Supply Unveil New Innovative Product

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Innovation is on display as Marty Warkentin, Owner from Northern Survey Supply, highlights the features of its new miner operated survey system to prospective clients at PDAC 2016. With operations in Mattawa and Sudbury, Northern Survey Supply is a distributor of surveying products for mining and measurement systems.

Mining-related companies from across Northern Ontario are reporting increased sales and exports, with many signing new business deals, thanks to their participation at one of the world's premier international mining events.

As a world-leader in mining excellence, it's no secret Northern Ontario has much to offer in terms of resources and expertise. But an important part of business success is getting exposure.

Recently, a contingent of mining-related businesses and organizations from the region were front and centre, showcasing their offerings to international visitors and clientele at the 2016 Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada (PDAC) International Convention and Trade Show, held March 6 to 9, 2016, in Toronto.

Spanning over 7,800 square feet, the FedNor-supported Northern Ontario Mining Showcase was the largest pavilion at PDAC, providing 72 businesses and organizations from our region's mining supply and services sectors with an opportunity to highlight their products and services to a global audience, while exploring new markets, increasing exports and establishing key contacts.

FedNor provided $380,000 to the City of Temiskaming Shores to establish and coordinate the 2016 pavilion, and James Franks, Economic Development Officer for the City and Chair of the Northern Ontario Mining Showcase Steering Committee, says the pavilion had its best year yet.

"Once again, the FedNor pavilion was a huge success, attracting dignitaries from all levels of government, as well as industry leaders, stakeholders and representatives from over 100 countries," he says. "With more than 22,000 visitors attending PDAC, the Northern Ontario Mining Showcase is helping to promote the area's mining potential, while assisting businesses in their efforts to expand their operations, increase trade and create high-quality jobs. The pavilion is becoming recognized as a 'must visit' at the convention."

Robert Frenette, President of TBT Engineering, headquartered in Thunder Bay, agrees. "Our PDAC 2016 delegation made many valuable connections over the course of the four days in the Northern Ontario Mining Showcase," he says. "Our presence at the pavilion, along with other exhibitors from the region, is helping to further relationships and bringing increased development to Northern Ontario."

Northern Ontario in the Spotlight

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More than 70 businesses representing Northern Ontario's mining industry took part in the FedNor-funded Northern Ontario Mining Showcase, one of the largest pavilions at the Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada (PDAC) convention. PDAC, one of the world's leading mineral exploration conference and trade shows, ran from March 6-9, 2016, featuring approximately 22,000 attendees from over 100 countries.

The experience was also a positive one for Temiskaming Industrial Mining Equipment Limited, or TIME Limited, a manufacturer and global distributor of consumable products to the mining, drilling and industrial sectors. "Since the show, we have received requests for manufacturing and supply into such places as New Brunswick, Saskatchewan, Finland, and the USA," says Tate Byberg, Vice-President of sales and marketing. "I can't say enough about how well the pavilion was structured and organized. The traffic that we encountered was fantastic and these requests were generated from meetings and discussions thanks to our presence as part of the Northern Ontario Mining Showcase."

Early results from last year's pavilion, which featured 50 businesses and organizations, indicated job creation/maintenance of over 175 positions in Northern Ontario and increased sales and exports worth more than $3.2 million.

Based on this year's enhanced presence and the positive feedback being received, it's clear exhibitors will see continuing and significant results for years to come.