The depressed state of the Canadian mining industry is sending companies abroad with different strategies in the search for new business opportunities.
Kilborn Engineering and Construction Ltd., for example, which has worked on projects around the globe during its 47 years of operation but had always directed its work from Canada, currently has three offices in Latin America. Thomas Ogryzlo, senior vice-president, speaking at a Toronto conference dealing with market opportunities for Canadians in Latin America, said Kilborn recently established offices in Santiago (Chile), Lima (Peru) and Belo Horizonte (Brazil).
Responsible for operations on all international projects carried out by the Kilborn group, Ogryzlo said he recently counted 39 Canadian mining companies with offices in Chile.
While the reduced operating cost of a mine in Latin America may be offset by a lower productivity rate, he said a Canadian company has the expertise to improve that productivity.
Ogryzlo said Kilborn, with about 800 employees, 25-30% of whom are professional engineers, has performed work in 47 different countries. Ogryzlo was taking part in a panel discussion with speakers representing the telecommunications, financial services, manufacturing and information systems industries.
The conference, titled “Canada and Latin America: Market Opportunities and Strategic Responses,” was co-hosted by the North-South Center at the University of Miami and the Centre for International Studies at the University of Toronto, in collaboration with The Americas Society of New York, the Centre for International Business Studies of Montreal and the Canadian Council for the Americas of Toronto.
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