Northern Ont. mining industry to be represented at upcoming international conference
There will be a large contingent of companies and representatives from the northern Ontario mining sector heading to Las Vegas next month once MINExpo gets underway.
The international convention has been described as the "Olympics" of the mining industry.
"It's the biggest mining show that exists, it's around 40,000 participants, it happens every four years. It was scheduled to happen in September 2020 but it was cancelled due to COVID obviously and it was rescheduled to this year," said Elena Zabudskaya, a project manager with the Northern Ontario Export Program.
Zabudskaya has been helping to organize the northern Ontario presence on the convention floor, giving companies and participants from the region a chance to show off their wares.
They're expecting about 50 companies from our region at the convention and the Northern Ontario Exports Program will house 12 of them under its pavilion.
Zabudskaya said this is an important event that gives people in the industry a chance to network and grow.
"This seems to be the first 'coming out' event (since the pandemic) and we really want to support our companies that are getting down there if they're willing to do so. And for us, it's not recognition for us but recognition for these companies," she said.
Work started three years ago to get regional companies ready for next month's big event and funding partners are helping companies with the price of the booth.
Marla Tremblay is the executive director of Mine Connect, northern Ontario's mining supply sector association that employs more than 23,000 people as a whole.
Tremblay has been helping to organize attendance at the event and believes this comes at a time where this is sorely needed for those in the industry.
"It's a big deal and there's a lot to think about," she said. "But yeah, we're excited to talk to people again. Virtual meetings are great and it's been a good learning curve, a good learning experience for companies, it's helped them bridge some international gaps and it's going to save them some money now that they know how to use it and people are accustomed to it, but you can't replace in person."
Tremblay said the continued threat or issue of COVID-19 hasn't escaped them. They've been watching the numbers very closely both in Las Vegas and in Canada.
Strict protocols are in place at the convention and they've cancelled the northern Ontario reception out of an abundance of caution.
"Networking events and things like that, we are conscious of making sure those events are happening outdoors. So, you know, we're avoiding any kind of indoor types of things where people are going to be gathering," Zabudskaya said.
One of the companies that will be heading over the U.S. border to showcase what it has to offer is HARD-LINE.
HARD-LINE has been busy at its facilities in Dowling as it works to get the finishing touches on their exhibit done. They're planning for a large video wall that will include 16 4K screens full of mining content.
"We're super excited for the MINExpo and this is going to be our biggest MINExpo to date. It's going to be our biggest booth, 40 by 50 feet, and we have so much technology that we're going to be showcasing there, some new technology as well, that we're really excited for," said Claude Sharma, the HARD-LINE Public Relations and Communications Specialist.
According to the company, their Auto Rockbreaker will be one of those featured tools that allow companies to break rocks at a more efficient pace. The company's news release said it has many new features that include an auto-deploy, auto park, and more intuitive 3D user interface.
HARD-LINE is planning on sending 17 of its employees to the convention from its facilities in Sudbury, Peru, Chile, and Utah.
"This is the biggest stage to showcase your material and you have to think about it as well where people from all over the world are coming and they're coming to show off their stuff. But there are still a lot of vendors and visitors that want to see your stuff and if you have that technology, that booth, that's very attractive, you can draw people there," Sharma said.
MINExpo runs Sept. 13 to 15.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Israel attacks Iran, Reuters sources say; drones reported over Isfahan
Israel has attacked Iran, three people familiar with the matter told Reuters, as Iranian state media reported early on Friday that its forces had destroyed drones, days after Iran launched a retaliatory drone strike on Israel.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
Nearly half of China's major cities are sinking, researchers say
Nearly half of China's major cities are suffering 'moderate to severe' levels of subsidence, putting millions at risk of flooding especially as sea levels rise.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
Judge says 'no evidence fully supports' murder case against Umar Zameer as jury starts deliberations
The judge presiding over the trial of a man accused of fatally running over a Toronto police officer is telling jurors the possible verdicts they may reach based on the evidence in the case.
Health Canada to change sperm donor screening rules for men who have sex with men
Health Canada will change its longstanding policy restricting gay and bisexual men from donating to sperm banks in Canada, CTV News has learned. The federal health agency has adopted a revised directive removing the ban on gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, effective May 8.
Colin Jost names one celebrity who is great at hosting 'Saturday Night Live'
Colin Jost, who co-anchors Saturday Night Live's 'Weekend Update,' revealed who he thinks is one of the best hosts on the show.
Sports columnist apologizes for 'oafish' comments directed at Caitlin Clark. The controversy isn't over
A male columnist has apologized for a cringeworthy moment during former University of Iowa superstar and college basketball's highest scorer Caitlin Clark's first news conference as an Indiana Fever player.
'Shopaholic' author Sophie Kinsella reveals brain cancer diagnosis
Sophie Kinsella, the best-selling author behind the 'Shopaholic' book series, has revealed that she is receiving treatment for brain cancer.