Looking for local help with Noront bid

Local engineering firms are being sought after to assist the Timmins Economic Development Corporation (TEDC) with the city's application for a ferrochrome smelter.

This week city council unanimously approved a motion presented by TEDC CEO Christy Marinig. 

"As you know, we're preparing a bid for Noront. Some of that bid is technical in nature, so we need to hire an engineering firm."

She explained that there was an extra caveat, albeit with good intentions.

"We want to deviate slightly from the purchasing policy in the sense that we only want to do a local invitational bid, to local firms. The reason is that we want to gain the momentum of local firms. We don't want people from another community working on our project, as they may have a conflict of interest with the Noront proposal. We also want to keep and maintain the skill set in the community."

Marinig said the TEDC can use its reserves to pay for the hire.

"The TEDC team is responding to the other parts of the document that pertain more to economic development, in terms of workforce, labour force, zoning, airport information, recreational information. We plan on answering that. So we just want to see if council is in support of going forward with a local invitational bid, and also deviating slightly from the purchasing policy, where we will get at least three quotes, but we're not posting it on the website," she said.

Noront Resources Ltd is a mining company with major land position in the massive chromite and mineral deposit known as 'The Ring of Fire' in Northern Ontario. The company is searching for a location to set up a processing smelter, one that will be a huge economic boost to which ever community it ends up in. Timmins is on the shortlist. 

Mayor Steve Black provided further information.

"The bid is due back by the first week of February, so you can see that its a narrow timeline. If you're going to attempt to go out for RFP versus getting quotes and going that route, you would have quite the turnaround on the RFP, especially as we enter into the Christmas break season."

He said the tight timeline is the same for all four of the candidate cities, the other three being Sudbury, Sault Ste. Marie, and Thunder Bay.

Councillor Joe Campbell asked Marinig if the application was a standardized document provided by Noront.

"Correct. We have to follow a very specific format," she said.

He then asked if she had an idea of what hiring an engineering firm would cost in this case.

"We have an idea, but we're not a hundred percent sure until we go out for RFP," said Marinig.

"Obviously you're going out for RFP, so you don't want to put a number out there," said Campbell with a laugh, withdrawing his question.

An aerial view of Noront Resources’ Esker Camp in the Ring of Fire. (Noront photo)

Councillor Noella Rinaldo told Marinig the idea was 'good news.'

"This is an opportunity for us to put our best foot forward. I think you're right in saying part of the skill set that's here is one of the things that we want to show off. We want to say that we were able to get this done here, locally. We are trying to show that this community is capable of the work that needs to be done here for Noront. You definitely have my vote for this," said Rinaldo.

Marinig said the TEDC's goal was to have the data back by December 31 to allow time for 'final details' ahead of February 2.

Councillor Mike Doody was more than on board.

"I don't think there's any question that we should go ahead. To bring the best possible people together to make a presentation that, certainly I think should have the vision that there's no place else but Timmins, and that's where they should be. We have the mining expertise through the years, I think our location is just great,"

Doody told Marinig that anything that Mayor and council can do for the TEDC will be done.

"We wish you nothing but the best, and if there's anything that you need, I think you just have to ask."

Black thanked Marinig for her presentation.

"I know the project does have tight timelines, we obviously had our first kick off meeting. That being said, I think we have a lot of features in the community that are very attractive for the bid proposal, and I look forward to working with you and the team in preparing that submission."

He explained that he TEDC board will have to ratify the proposal as well.

"Obviously its not a planned item that was budgeted for, and at the end of the day the TEDC does make their budget submissions to council, so we just wanted consensus from council that council supports that for the board's knowledge as well," said Black.