Feds spend $800K in North Bay mining explosive developer
Nipissing–Timiskaming MP Anthony Rota announced Friday an unconditionally repayable contribution of more than $800,000 for North Bay-based Nexco Inc. to help with the development and production of new mining explosives technology. Rota made the announcement on behalf of the Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Indigenous Services and Minister responsible for FedNor.
Nipissing–Timiskaming MP Anthony Rota announced an unconditionally repayable contribution of more than $800,000 for North Bay-based Nexco Inc. to help with the development and production of new mining explosives technology on March 1, 2024. (Eric Taschner/CTV News Northern Ontario)The funding will allow Nexco to design and construct a small-scale pilot plant to modify explosive grade ammonium nitrate during the manufacturing process to produce a water-resistant ammonium nitrate particle.
“The pilot plant will help the company demonstrate the advantages and cost savings of their unique ammonium nitrate product over traditional commercial explosives currently available on the market,” said FedNor officials in a news release.
Part of the funds will be set aside for the design and acquisition of the equipment needed for both Nexco’s laboratory and demonstration plant, which will be used for testing their products.
The project is expected to create 37 jobs and, once fully complete – with all work being done in North Bay and Sudbury.
“Typically when you look at the traditional boosters that are manufactured, they’re manufactured in very specific locations using highly hazardous chemicals and as such, there is a lot of transportation getting them around,” said Nexco president John Burrows.
“We’re able to get a lot closer to the customer to deliver this product.”
Officials said they anticipate that Nexco would be able to produce enough product to supply 11 per cent of the North American market for ammonium nitrate.
An image of an ammonium nitrate product produced by North Bay-based Nexco Inc. (Image from presented video)“The mining companies in northern Ontario, who do the blasting, do the blasting around the work,” said Rota.
“This is a product that will be explosive and will be heard around the world and I’m looking forward to the progress it will have.”
- Download the CTV News app now
- Get local breaking news alerts
- Daily newsletter with the top local stories emailed to your inbox
The $809,000 is coming from FedNor’s Regional Economic Growth through Innovation program.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Another suspect arrested in Toronto Pearson airport gold heist: police
Another suspect is in custody in connection with the gold heist at Toronto Pearson International Airport last year, police say.
Poilievre-led government 'would never' use notwithstanding clause on abortion, his office says
A Conservative government led by Pierre Poilievre would not legislate on, nor use the notwithstanding clause, on abortion, his office says, as anti-abortion protesters gather on Parliament Hill.
Why these immigrants to Canada say they're thinking about leaving, or have already moved on
For some immigrants, their dreams of permanently settling in Canada have taken an unexpected twist.
Ontario family receives massive hospital bill as part of LTC law, refuses to pay
A southwestern Ontario woman has received an $8,400 bill from a hospital in Windsor, Ont., after she refused to put her mother in a nursing home she hated -- and she says she has no intention of paying it.
Here are the ultraprocessed foods you most need to avoid, according to a 30-year study
Studies have shown that ultraprocessed foods can have a detrimental impact on health. But 30 years of research show they don’t all have the same impact.
Miss Teen USA steps down just days after Miss USA's resignation
Miss Teen USA resigned Wednesday, sending further shock waves through the pageant community just days after Miss USA said she would relinquish her crown.
Cyclist strikes child crossing the street to catch school bus in Montreal
A video circulating on social media of a young girl being hit by a bike has some calling for better safety and more caution when designing bike lanes in the city. The video shows a four-year-old girl crossing Jeanne-Mance Street in Montreal's Plateau neighbourhood to get on a school bus stopped on the opposite side of the street
BREAKING Critical injuries to 7 people in Sharbot Lake, Ont. crash
Ontario Provincial Police say seven people have suffered severe injuries in a single-vehicle crash in Sharbot Lake, Ont.
Barron Trump selected to be a Florida delegate at Republican National Convention
Former U.S. President Donald Trump’s youngest son, Barron Trump, was selected by the Florida GOP as an at-large delegate for Florida at the Republican National Convention, according to a list of delegates obtained by CNN.