The second annual Ontario Mining Week will be celebrated June 3-7 across the prov-ince in various communities through a variety of activities, including underground tours, career days, geological excursions and educational displays.
The theme of this year’s Mining Week, which is aimed at making people stop and think about how the minerals industry has contributed to their lives and to the economic and social development of the province, is “minerals make our life better.”
The event also focuses attention on the advances the industry has made in areas of environmental protection, worker safety and technology. It is hoped the publicity will encourage young people to pursue careers in the industry.
Last year, Mining Week was staged in October.
Organizers of Mining Week are the Ontario Mining Association (OMA), the province’s Ministry of Northern Development and Mines, the Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada, the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum, the Association of Mining Municipalities of Ontario and other mining-related groups.
In Toronto, the Ontario North Now section of Ontario Place (situated off the waterfront at the Canadian National Exhibition) will be the site of a number of mining activities and displays. OMA spokesman Peter McBride said the exhibits have been designed specifically for a school-age audience and will focus on the common use of mineral products and on the environmental protection practices developed within the industry.
Free daily bus service will be provided during the week between downtown Toronto and Ontario Place. The official opening will take place June 3 at Ontario Place at 10:30 a.m.
At Ontario Place, students who successfully answer a quiz will become eligible to win an all-expense paid weekend trip for a family to Sudbury, where visits to the nickel-mining operations of Inco Ltd. and Falconbridge Ltd. are planned.
Coinciding with Ontario Mining Week will be Canadian Environment Week, which will celebrate its 20th anniversary June 2-8.
Minerals produced in Ontario are valued at more than $7 billion per year and provide direct jobs for more than 35,000 persons. The province’s mineral output represents about 37% of the total Canadian mineral production value.
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