Rouyn-Noranda sees growth in mining

Mining, and especially mining- related activities, are an expanding contributor to the economy of the Rouyn-Noranda district in Quebec, where minerals worth some $365 million were produced in 1989. The town of Rouyn-Noranda has a population of 28,000 with 22% being employed in the mining sector. The twin cities of Rouyn and Noranda were settled in the wake of the Horne ore deposit discovery in 1925 and, in 1986, the two centres amalgamated to form the new town of Rouyn-Noranda. While the broad mining sector continues to be of ever increasing importance to the Abitibi-Temiscamingue district in Quebec, exploration investments have dropped by more than 50% — from a value of $267 million in 1987 to $122 million in 1989 — with a resulting negative impact on the town’s workforce.

Since 1987, an important number of enterprises have developed in Rouyn-Noranda in the area of wholesaling, business support services, machinery manufacturing, financial services and construction. Other businesses extended their activities and a meaningful number of other firms from the southern area of the province located operations in the town. During 1987 and 1988, 11 new junior exploration companies established base in Rouyn-Noranda. Although they have stopped development since the demise of flow-through share funding, their contribution to increased mineral reserves in the district is acknowledged by the Rouyn- Noranda Economic Development Corp.

Mining-related services in the town include a resident geologist, a research unit and three sampling laboratories. Additionally, the Training and Development Corp. in Mining Exploration offers professional training programs to people interested in exploration. A recent directory of available service to mining companies lists 20 technical service firms involved in supportive tasks for exploration ventures.

The corporation considers that the mining industry has played the leading role in the town’s economic development, building a generation of entrepreneurs and opening northeastern Ontario and international marketplace doors to local businesses.

Pride in the 92% French- speaking community is evidenced on town-run tours for visitors, temporary workers or new permanent residents who praise the variety of services in the town, focusing on cultural and recreational facilities and events.