Written by John Mason D.Sc., P. Geo and supported by the Thunder Bay Community Economic Development Commission

Thunder Bay and region are more fully embracing the mining industry as a key economic driver, “joining the boom”. The industry currently provides 1000+ direct jobs for Thunder Bay residents at mines, and over 1000 Thunder Bay based exploration and mine service and supply jobs, via 400 engaged businesses. It should be clarified that mining industry is actually a mining sequence consisting of acquisition, mineral exploration, development, construction, mine production and closure. Opportunity to address gaps for economic benefit and drive business is tied to each piece of that sequence.

Exploration opportunities include:

• Exploration companies require land availability in the city with the following attributes: office space for 4-20 personnel, adjoining garage/warehouse and fenced yard for field equipment and drill core.
• Thunder Bay is blessed with excellent laboratory facilities for geochemistry and assay analyses to support exploration. Can these labs be expanded to meet additional customer needs for bench testing, mini-mill modelling, flotation, grinding and control systems, specific to advanced exploration projects?
• Gold price combined with better equity markets are driving the opportunity for exploration companies and increasing numbers of exploration drill programs. There is an opportunity for national and regional drill companies to expand these offerings, with a branch office in Thunder Bay.
• Thunder Bay geological consulting firms and engineering companies currently produce for clients, high quality consulting reports and standards of disclosure (43-101s) for mineral projects. These companies also contribute into all, or portions of, financial and technical reports, including: Preliminary Economic Assessments (PEAs), Pre-Feasibility Studies (PFSs) and Feasibility Studies (FSs), specific to some mature projects. There may be an opportunity to more aggressively bid (and win) on additional advanced exploration projects in Northwestern Ontario, rather than have outside companies engage on these deposits.
• Prospecting as a part-time occupation should be encouraged. Prospector Associations led by the Northwestern Ontario Prospectors Association and the Ontario Prospectors Association, both with head offices in Thunder Bay, in combination with the Ontario Ministry of Mines, and at times with Lakehead University, already have delivered prospector training and mining workshops to residents. Can such an approach be ramped up with proper funding to continually provide curriculum?
• Public Education, including illustrating the importance of minerals in our lives to school children, and Thunder Bay citizens, including the indigenous community, is critical and has been dealt with to a degree. Delivery agents could include previously mentioned associations, but also PDAC-Mining Matters, Lakehead University’s Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Mining, Confederation College and the Ontario Mining Association. The objective is to bring awareness of mining’s importance to a modern society. Earth science is a captivating topic, never more important then now with huge requirements for certain metals such as copper, lithium, nickel, gold, palladium and graphite for electrification of transportation, aerospace, energy storage and telecommunication. “If it can’t be grown it has to be mined!”
• Access is critical for exploration. Explorationists are encouraged to communicate with MNRF districts to obtain the latest information on forest access roads and timber management plans. The exploration industry can also reach out directly to SFL (Sustainable Forest Licence) holders to share information.
• Airborne geophysics as a provision, with Thunder Bay International Airport in play, is an opportunity for Toronto or Vancouver based geophysical businesses wishing to install a Thunder Bay branch to handle central Canada and the Midwest USA.

Mining opportunities include:

• A) It is recommended that Thunder Bay mine service and supply companies make direct contact, at regular intervals, with mine procurement managers to drive business. (Each mine is an economy unto itself with 800-1600 companies on its procurement roster).

1. B) Learn the RFP (Request for Proposal) via each mine procurement department. Companies need to be registered on bid lists for upcoming maintenance, construction, and materials supply business opportunities.

• Thunder Bay has underground mine developers such as ManRoc and DMC but with the trend in open pit mine development, a Thunder Bay addressed open pit mine developer would be a goal.
• Driven by the gold sector mainly, new mines, expansions and existing operations, will require 7000 construction and operational positions to be filled through its peak, into 2028. (Mining Readiness Study, 2024-CEDC). Therefore this is a huge opportunity for Lakehead University, Confederation College, trade unions, and indigenous training organizations to provide education and training to meet demand (geology, mine engineering, life skills, pre-trades, and contract training).
• Job placement services for mine workers has to ramp up. Mining is the highest paying industrial sector and payroll at each mine is the highest expense line item. Human Resource managers/coordinators, at each mine, are accessible to illustrate the specific positions required.
• Mineral processing for lithium hydroxide will be a requirement for Thunder Bay within five years. Upwards of 4-8 lithium deposits located in Northwestern Ontario will require treatment of lithium concentrate over he next decade (concentrate will be produced at each mine site initially) at such a facility(s).
• Currently heavy equipment companies provide mine equipment to NWO mines (lease and purchase), from North America and Europe. Assembly and servicing of mine equipment is included, but with new mine developments led by open pit operations, and mine expansions, it is forecast that demand will rise significantly.
• Thunder Bay companies with their current capability have addressed the requirement for parts (mine/mill) , scheduled maintenance (shutdowns), equipment and critical spares ( i.e. pumps, motors) . Capacity can grow in this area. Northwestern Ontario mines want NWO service and supply solutions because of time of response, expertise and cost factors. This provision will see further capacity required.
• With the growth of Mine Connect, as the Ontario mine service and supply association, can Thunder Bay more fully capitalize on memberships and joint ventures/partnerships with Northeastern Ontario mine service and supply companies that are complimentary?
• The 400 Thunder Bay mine service and supply companies should strive to create more indigenous business partnerships. A number of very capable indigenous businesses are active in the exploration and mining space now in Thunder Bay and region.
• Thunder Bay has to continue to lobby and plan with IESO and Hydro One, in conjunction with NOMA as the lead, to address the requirements for adequate electrical transmission and supply in Northwestern Ontario. This is a Thunder Bay and NWO issue. Inadequate electricity can shudder projects before they start or delay expansion. With the current high gold price, projected electricity supply required to crush and grind ore in gold mills is increasing rapidly. (Electricity is the second highest cost at mines in Ontario, after labour).
• Thunder Bay companies should seek training and certification as required to operate on mine footprints. Health and safety are paramount.
• Opportunities exist to have underground support service providers ( shaft or decline accessed mines) establish in Thunder Bay, including the provision of bolting and grouting.
• Investigation of the viability of establishing an explosives distribution facility proximal to Thunder Bay to serve NWO should be pursued. Orica, Dyno Nobel and Austin Powder are three explosives companies active in Ontario.
• Thunder Bay exploration/mine service and supply companies have to continually promote their offerings at regional, national, and international conferences including: Prospectors and Developers Convention (Toronto), Cen Can (Thunder Bay), AMEBC’s Exploration Roundup (Vancouver), Northwestern Ontario Prospector’s Showcase Symposium (Thunder Bay) and the Big Event (Timmins). This approach is critical to create awareness and to drive business opportunities, in a competitive supply world.
• Mine service and supply company websites, including associated photography, must be current and compelling. Illustrating success stories and case examples is a must.