Thursday June 04, 2015 – Thunder Bay will celebrate its rich mining heritage on June 6, which has been declared Mining Day by Mayor Keith Hobbs.

Mayor Hobbs made the declaration at a ceremony today at Mariner’s Hall at Prince Arthur’s Landing. He was joined by representatives of the City of Thunder Bay, Thunder Bay Community Economic Development Commission (CEDC), Ministry of Northern Development and Mines, and Northwestern Ontario Prospectors Association, as well as other mining organizations.

“The mining and exploration industry employees are working quietly in Thunder Bay and Northwestern Ontario; they should be recognized for their significant contribution to the local economy and the culture of their communities,” said Mayor Hobbs in reading the declaration. “Mining Day is a celebration where the mining community and the public meet and have fun at Prince Arthur’s Landing, a historical site in a city with a long history of mining.”

Mining Day will include a series of special public events at Prince Arthur’s Landing. There will be more than 25 exhibitors with fun, creative and interactive displays and presentations to encourage everyone in the family to participate and learn about mining, minerals and local geology. Heavy mining equipment suppliers, diamond drillers and helicopter service providers will also be onsite to showcase their big tools of the trade.

A guided walking tour will also take place along Red River Road, providing a look at how local stone has been used in the construction of some of Thunder Bay’s most iconic buildings, including Port Arthur Collegiate Institute (PACI-Lakehead U), Trinity United Church, Masonic Hall and others.

“The mining community and many volunteers are coming together to bring the third annual Thunder Bay Mining Day to the citizens of the City and nearby municipalities,” said Robert Chataway, President of NWOPA and Chair of the Mining Day Committee. “As a family-oriented event, we hope everyone has a good time while participating in mining-related activities such as gold panning, searching for buried treasure and looking at gold and other minerals. There will be 3 public talks covering Diamonds, Careers in Mining and Prospecting starting at 1 pm.”

This free, rain or shine event benefits from the support of a number of local organizations, including Northwestern Ontario Prospectors Association, Women in Mining, Thunder Bay Community Economic Development Commission (CEDC) and the Canadian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy.
“The event is an opportunity to showcase the mineral sector which is an important contributor to Northwestern Ontario’s economy,” said John Mason, Project Manager, Mining Services for CEDC. “Children and adults alike will have fun with interactive displays and hands on activities on the waterfront!”

For more information on Mining Day in Thunder Bay, contact: tbminingday@gmail.com, visit the website http://www.thunderbayminingday.ca or like us on Facebook.

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Contact: Bob Chataway at (807) 344-8151 or tbminingday@gmail.com

About CEDC: The CEDC is responsible for business development, retention and expansion, entrepreneurial support, opportunity promotion, and the collection and assessment of key business data. The CEDC receives formal proposals for projects that will contribute to economic development. It responds quickly to new opportunities and initiatives to attract direct financial involvement from the government and private sectors. For more information, visit www.ThunderBayCEDC.ca.