Newmont Porcupine opens spectacular lookout point of mining pit and city to public
Mining giant, Newmont Porcupine in Timmins is finished phase one of a land use plan-a partnership agreement it has with the city. It's a spectacular lookout area where people can watch mining activity happening in the Hollinger open pit mine and see many familiar areas of the city's landscape.
The three-hundred and sixty degree unobstructed view of the mining operation and the city became open to the public as of Friday afternoon.
“We’re expecting people to come up here, have their lunch; watch the operation. There’s plenty of seating. We’ve had requests for wedding pictures. We’ve had requests for weddings up here," said Bryan Neeley, sustainability and external relations manager for Newmont Porcupine.
There are a couple of things to keep in mind when visiting the landmark. There are only eleven parking spots at the top of the berm, including one accessible planking place, but there is another location at the bottom of the berm.
The viewing area is only open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and security guards will ask people to leave during blasting times. It will shut down for the winter season on October 1st.
“Security will be coming depending on the blast: either the 11:30 to 12:00 or 3:30 to 4:00 blast windows," said Neeley. "They will start about 45 minutes ahead of time and start removing people, get them to the bottom of the hill."
Once the all-clear is given, people can resume their site-seeing.
“To tell you the truth this is a phenomenon for Timmins," said Helga Kroll, chairperson of the Hollinger Project Community Advisory Committee. "It’s something that Timmins has never seen before. It’s going to be a legacy for years to come for the kids that are growing up and their kids and their kids."
Melody Bruneau of Timmins was able to wave at her husband on Saturday who was on the job for Newmont Porcupine.
“I’m watching my husband down in the pit getting loaded right now. So it’s pretty cool. I’m really excited," she said.
Another woman, Dellanie Robitaille, who recently moved to Timmins from Sudbury said it's great to see a mine she's learned about at Cambrian College during her mining engineering technology program.
“We’ve been just looking at it in freeze frames for the last little while and now it’s all come to life and I can name and point out all the stuff I remember," she said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Israeli forces seize Rafah border crossing in Gaza, putting ceasefire talks on knife's edge
Israeli tanks seized control of Gaza’s vital Rafah border crossing on Tuesday as Israel brushed off urgent warnings from close allies and moved into the southern city even as ceasefire negotiations with Hamas remained on a knife’s edge.
There's actually no such thing as vegetables. Here's why you should eat them anyway
The rumours are true: Vegetables aren't real — that is, in botany, anyway. While the term fruit is recognized botanically as anything that contains a seed or seeds, vegetable is actually a broad umbrella term.
The Met Gala was in full bloom with Zendaya, Jennifer Lopez, Mindy Kaling among the standout stars
The Met Gala and its fashionista A-listers on Monday included Jennifer Lopez, Zendaya and a parade of others in a swirl of flora and fauna looks on a green-tinged carpet lined by live foliage.
Winnipeg man admits to killing four women, argues he's not criminally responsible
Defence lawyers of Jeremy Skibicki have admitted in court the accused killed four Indigenous women, but argues he is not criminally responsible for the deaths by way of mental disorder – this latest development has triggered a judge-alone trial rather than a jury trial.
Noelia Voigt resigns as Miss USA, citing her mental health
Noelia Voigt, who was crowned Miss USA in November 2023, has announced she is resigning from her role, saying the decision is in the best interest of her mental health.
Putin begins his fifth term as president, more in control of Russia than ever
Vladimir Putin began his fifth term Tuesday as Russian leader at a glittering Kremlin inauguration, setting out on another six years in office after destroying his political opponents, launching a devastating war in Ukraine and concentrating all power in his hands.
Mediterranean staple may lower your risk of death from dementia, study finds
A daily spoonful of olive oil could lower your risk of dying from dementia, according to a new study by Harvard scientists.
An El Nino-less summer is coming. Here's what that could mean for Canada
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.
Man banned from owning animals after fatal Calgary dog attack
The owner of three Calgary dogs that got loose and mauled a woman to death in 2022 has been ordered to pay a $15,000 fine within one year and banned from owning any animal for 15 years.