The annual two-day Canadian Mining Expo is underway in Timmins. It draws thousands of people from Canada and abroad, in and outside of the mining industry. Almost anyone involved in running the industry can be found there.
As part of Mining Week, the event is using the arena, curling rink and grounds of the McIntyre Community Centre. It features dozens of displays, several conferences, and a massive job fair.
Ontario Mines Minister George Pirie – the former mayor of Timmins — points to the ongoing success of the industry, especially gold. Right now, it’s trading in the $3,200Cdn range.
“I remember those fateful days,” he recalls, “on a dark Wednesday around the year 2000 when the price of gold was less than300 bucks an ounce and they thought it was a sunset industry. Some sunset.”
Glen Dredhart, president of Canadian Trade-Ex, the local company that operates the big show, says Timmins is a great place to do business. It’s in the centre of the Abitibi Greenstone Belt, surrounded by 40 or 50 mines and hundreds of junior mining companies anxious to get into operation.
“When you walk through the floor here and walk through the grounds, you’re going to see everything mining,” Dredhart remarks. “This is the place to be, and I’m glad you all made it here.”
Dredhart says this year’s expo has already broken last year’s attendance record. The expo wraps up on Thursday.
