http://www.oma.on.ca/news/index.aspx?newsId=SO24ichruoTAlLmYoKQtogeQuAleQuAl

OMA President is keynote speaker at mining summit

October 18, 2011

OMA President Chris Hodgson will be the keynote speaker at the Mining Ready Summit: Preparing Aboriginal Communities for Mining-Related Business Opportunities in Timmins -- This event is being hosted by Nishnawbe Aski Development Fund on October 25 and 26, 2011 at the Days Inn Conference Centre. . . .

The summit is expected to attract more than 150 key mineral sector people, contractors, mine supply and service company representatives, Aboriginal business owners and First Nations community leaders. The goal of the gathering is to help prepare Aboriginal communities for mining related business opportunities. It is hoped participants will bring new knowledge, lessons learned and best practices to the summit and communicate effectively with participants.

Mr. Hodgson is the keynote speaker at the dinner on October 25. He will share the OMA’s vision for the future of mining in Ontario. Global economic forces such as urbanization and the continued developmental paths of nations such as China and India are providing this province with a window of opportunity to meet a lengthy anticipated period of high demand for commodities Ontario can produce.

The OMA’s vision for the future of mining is titled “Action Plan for Ontario: Taking Advantage of a Critical Window of Opportunity.” It can be found on the OMA website at www.oma.on.ca. Mr. Hodgson will also speak about spin-off business opportunities created by mine development.

Several OMA companies are active participants in the summit. Colin Webster of Goldcorp, Scott Jacob from Noront, Derek Teevan from Detour Gold and Shannin Metatawabin from De Beers Canada are on a panel. They will be addressing different aspects of business and partnership opportunities through various stages of mine development.

Also, Sandra Gogal from the law firm Miller Thompson, which is an OMA member, will be speaking about business fundamentals and legalities. She will explain various legal business structures for partnerships and joint ventures and their differences.

Another major scheduled speaker is Dave Tuccaro. He is a member of the Mikisew Cree First Nation in Fort Chipewyan and president and chief executive officer of seven companies. The foundation of his businesses is in the oil sands region of Alberta near Ft. McMurray. His aim with these business ventures is to create opportunities for Aboriginal people at every level of education and every level of employment.

Sponsors of the summit include OMA members Goldcorp, Cliffs, De Beers Canada and Detour Gold. For further information concerning the Mining Ready Summit go to www.miningready.com.

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OMA sets the date for the first post-election Meet the Miners event for November 30

October 17, 2011

Following close on the heels of the recent provincial election, which resulted in a minority government, the OMA will be holding its Meet the Miners event on Wednesday, November 30, 2011 at the Sutton Place Hotel in Toronto. . . . .

During Ontario’s 40th provincial election campaign, all major parties seized on initiatives from the OMA’s vision for the future of mining, which can be found on the OMA website www.oma.on.ca. The Liberals have vowed to open “at least eight new mines in the next 10 years.” The PCs and NDP want to improve the permitting process. All parties have promised in various ways to make electricity pricing more competitive. Also, there is agreement on the need to work more closely with municipalities and First Nations.

Parties have their differences but their platforms agreed on recognition that mining is a responsible partner contributing to the development of Ontario’s society and economy. They see the sector in its true light as attracting investment dollars, creating jobs, nurturing regional development and building communities.

“At this time, we see an unprecedented level of new mine development, mine expansions and mineral exploration in Ontario,” added Mr. Hodgson. “Ontario has a window of opportunity to take advantage of the global trends toward ongoing urbanization and continued economic growth in major developing countries.”

The OMA has been holding Meet the Miners activities at Queen’s Park in various forms for more than 25 years. It is intended to bring recognition of the importance of the industry to the seat of the provincial government. Meet the Miners involves OMA member companies and their employees.