Around the North
New mining man of excellence
Industry veteran Doug Morrison has been named the new president and CEO of the Centre for Excellence in Mining Innovation (CEMI) in Sudbury.
Keep lotto headquarters in the Sault, says EDC chief Sault Ste. Marie is building its case to consolidate the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation's operations in the northeastern Ontario city.
Ring of Fire sales mission set for March 9Nipissing MPP Vic Fedeli is leading a one-day sales mission to the Ring of Fire base camp March 9.
Sault company cited for best management practicesMcDougall Energy Inc. of Sault Ste. Marie has been included on the list of Canada's 50 Best Managed Companies for 2011.
Quadra, KGHM deal approvedAn agreement that will see Polish company KGHM purchase Quadra FNX has been approved by 78.6 per cent of its securityholders following a special meeting Feb. 20.
Dismiss idea of closing lottery office: AmarosoReaction from Sault Ste. Marie was swift following the release of the province's Commission on the Reform of Ontario's Public Services, which is recommending the closure of one of two Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLGC) offices—one of which is located in the Sault.
Balance needed in mineral resource development: KilgourInvestment in mineral resource development must be balanced with reasonable regulation and the maximizing of benefits to local communities, Sudbury Councillor Dave Kilgour told the House of Commons Standing Committee on Natural Resources.
Vale approves emissions reduction projectVale's $2-billion Clean Atmospheric Emissions Reduction (AER) project has received final approval to go forward and construction is expected to begin in April.
Remediation strategy underway in SudburyThe City of Greater Sudbury has begun accepting applications for financial incentives under a new Brownfield Strategy and Community Improvement Plan to redevelop vacated properties that were previously used for commercial or industrial purposes.
Bestech earns nod as best employerSudbury mining service company Bestech has been named a best employer by the School of Business at Queen's University.
Sault seeking nominations for development awardThe City of Sault Ste. Marie is accepting nominations for the 2012 Community Development Award.
Laurentian donation to create business scholarshipsA $250,000 donation from CIBC will go towards student scholarships at Laurentian University's Faculty of Management.
Vale donates to youth programVale has donated $150,000 to the Human League's PLAY program, which enables extracurricular activities for children with financial hardship.
Renewable energy conference coming to SudburyThe Manitoulin Wind and Solar Institute is hosting a three-day renewable energy conference in Sudbury, the focus of which will be the Northern Ontario Growth Plan and the 2011 Integrated Power System Plan (IPSP).
Essar announces positive EBITDAEssar Steel Algoma reported positive EBITDA of $30.2 million and a net loss of $50.8 million for the three-month period ending December 31, 2011 on shipments of 635,308 tons.
Sault chamber seeking nomineesNominations are open for positions on the board of directors for the Sault Ste. Marie Chamber of Commerce.
Sault College eligible for NSERC grantsSault College has been deemed eligible to administer funds through the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC).
Wawa gold explorer on track for 2015 production Prodigy Gold said it is on schedule with its plans to revive the dormant Magino Mine near Wawa, and put it back into production by 2015.
Safety on mind of Vale miners Vale miners in Sudbury are heading back to work with a renewed focus on safety after a fatal accident last month forced the company to shut down its entire five-mine operation.
Funding to support Sault College's First Nations trainingSault College is the recipient of $1.79 million in provincial funding, which will go towards the establishment of programs to provide First Nations students with employment skills in renewable energy.
Laurentian U releases strategic planRaising research funds, increasing enrolment and modernizing its campus are amongst the goals in Laurentian University's five-year strategic plan released Feb. 6.
Merger mania continues in northwest An Australian base metal junior miner operating in northwestern Ontario is seeking advice stemming from a hostile takeover attempt.
Xstrata-Glencore agree on merger The merger plans by international miner Xstrata PLC and global commodities trader Glencore was meeting early shareholder resistance who argue the $88 billion (U.S.) deal undervalues their shares.
Sudbury group produces film and music resource guideSudbury-based Music and Film in Motion (MFM) has created a resource guide for people looking to produce music or films in Northern Ontario.
Northern communities feted for tourism marketing A pair of Northern Ontario organizations has been recognized for excellence in tourism marketing by the Economic Developers of Ontario.
Taking stock of mining opportunitiesA labour needs report on potential opportunities in the mineral industry field in northwestern Ontario will be released this month.
North Bay housing conference slated for May North Bay is the host city for the upcoming FONOM-MMAH Northeastern Municipal Conference in May.
Sudbury miner-First Nation ink partnership deal Sudbury miner Quadra FNX and Atikameksheng First Nation have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU)in working toward a final partnership deal.
Been there, done that, says Ring of Fire CoordinatorOntario's Ring of Fire Coordinator contends development in the burgeoning James Bay mineral exploration camps is progressing despite an MPP's assertions that Queen's Park is mismanaging provincial oversight of the region.
Matachewan miner pours gold in March AuRico Gold said its Young-Davidson gold project in northeastern Ontario remains on schedule toward pouring its first gold by the end of March.
Chiefs want to electrify their communities The Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) said it's time for their northern communities to be connected to Ontario's power grid.
Xstrata confirms merger talks with Glencore One of the world's leading Swiss-based commodities trade is looking to merge with Xstrata, a Swiss-headquartered international miner, in an all-share merger to become a global mining leader.
Ursa suspends Webbwood operationsOperations at the Shakespeare Nickel Mine 70 km west of Sudbury, operated by Ursa Major Minerals, have been temporarily suspended, after the expiration of its processing agreement.
Quadra FNX signs MOU with AtikamekshengQuadra FNX and Atikameksheng Anishnawbek First Nation, located 20 km southwest of Sudbury, are entering into negotiations towards an agreement for the future working relationship between the two parties.
Energy minister tours Sault CollegeProvincial Energy Minister Chris Bentley visited Sault College Feb. 2 for an introduction to the school's Renewable Energy and Green Construction Techniques program.
North Bay company one of Top 100 EmployersCemenetation Canada, based in North Bay, has been recognized once more as one of the Top 100 Employers in Canada. It is the only Northern Ontario-based company listed this year, and it has previously been recognized four other times.
First Nation, miner begin negotiationsAtikameksheng Anishnawbek First Nation and Quadra FNX Mining Ltd. have entered into a memorandum of understanding (MOU), agreeing to enter into negotiations to reach a final agreement.
Ministry seeking nominations for apprenticeship awardsNominations are now being accepted for the Minister's Awards for Apprenticeship Training.
Espanola hires new EDOColin Wilson has been hired as the new community economic development officer for the Town of Espanola.
Industrial park moving forward in EspanolaEspanola's industrial park will welcome its first tenant in the light industrial park this spring, after council accepted an offer from Helios Storage Solutions to purchase eight of the park's serviced lots.
Sudbury homebuilders' group elects boardThe Sudbury & District Home Builders' Association has elected its board of directors for 2012.
Geography degree program approved at Algoma UAlgoma University has been approved to offer a four-year honours bachelor of arts in geography degree, starting in September 2012.
Sault to host business networking sessionCanada Business Ontario, in partnership with Business Sault Ste. Marie, is hosting a business networking session for Sault area businesses.
Sudburian named to Ontario advisory panelFloyd Laughren, chair of the board of governors at Laurentian University, has been named to the province's Economic Advisory Panel.
Participants sought for feasibility study of training consortiumThe Algoma Workforce Investment Committee (AWIC) is seeking employers in the industrial, manufacturing and construction sectors to participate in a feasibility study that would determine the viability of an Algoma Training Consortium.
Development corp seeks directors in SudburyThe Nickel Basin Federal Development Corporation (NBFDC) is seeking nominations for directors.
Solar Logix to install solar at Sault schoolSault Ste. Marie company Solar Logix, SSM has been retained to install a 90-kilowatt flat-roof-mount solar photovoltaic array at Ecole Notre Dame des Grand Lacs, a city high school.
Sault Chamber hosting business breakfastThe Sault Ste. Marie Chamber of Commerce will host its Women in Business Breakfast on Feb. 17. The annual event spotlights successful women in business.
Union chief angered by latest Sudbury mining death Steelworkers Local 6500 president Rick Bertrand said he was “very angry” after hearing about the death of a 47-year-old miner at Vale's Coleman Mine in Sudbury during the early afternoon of Jan. 29.
Superior Energy opens new Sault officeSolar energy systems provider Superior Energy Solutions has opened a new office in Sault Ste. Marie.
Algoma U residence under constructionConstruction is set to begin on a new, 96-bed residence at Algoma University, with completion slated for the start of the 2012 school year.
Miner killed at Vale's Coleman MineA worker was killed at Vale's Coleman Mine in Sudbury on Sunday.
Micro loans program launched on First Nation reserve The Nishnawbe Aski Development Fund (NADF) is teaming up with Lac Seul First Nation to promote micro loans to aspiring entrepreneurs in northwestern Ontario.
Terrace Bay Pulp mill under creditor protection Ernst and Young was appointed the receiver for the bankrupt Terrace Bay Pulp in northwestern Ontario.
Get energized at First Nation conference First Nation chiefs and representatives from the Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) will meet in Thunder Bay for a regional energy conference.
Gold digger plans prodigious drill program Prodigy Gold is launching a 60,000-metre drilling program at its Magino Mine project in northeastern Ontario.
Funds for Nipigon waterfront plan Nipigon's plan to revitalize its waterfront received a positive nudge with a $130,000 cheque from FedNor.
Boréal board approves Toronto campus investmentThe board of directors for Collège Boréal has approved an investment of $3.8 million into its new Toronto campus, which is set to open next September.
Ursa Major board members resignThree members of Ursa Major Minerals' board of directors have resigned.
Lockerby Mine headed for full production in 2012After promising results from production in its fourth quarter of 2011, First Nickel is anticipating moving to commercial production by mid-2012.
Eacom assessing fire damageEacom Timber's is assessing downtime at its Timmins sawmill which was damaged by fire Jan. 22.
FedNor drops $3 million in North Bay North Bay received $3 million from FedNor for five economic development-related initiatives.
CAW, CEP talk about super unionTwo major industry unions are exploring the possibility of merging by mid-2013.
Lumber deal extension hyped by industry, trashed by unionThe two-year extension of the Canada-U.S. softwood lumber agreement is being lauded as “good news” by Ontario and Quebec forest industry groups.
Algoma U wins national research grant Algoma University is the recipient of funding from the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) for a research project that may provide clues into the environmental impact of alternative energy strategies such as solar power and wind turbines on Canadian wildlife.
Approval granted for sale of St. Marys PaperThe Ontario Superior Court of Justice has granted Ernst & Young approval to sell St. Marys Paper Corp. in Sault Ste. Marie.
Northern College receives fundingNorthern College has received $750,000 from Hydro One to support its electrical engineering technician and technology programs and to enhance recruitment.
Sault College rebuild continuesPhase two of Sault College's campus rebuild is getting underway with the replacement of the student centre.
Cliffs wants outside investment in Ring of Fire haul road Cliffs Natural Resources expects public and private investment in a transportation corridor to process and export Ring of Fire chromite.
Nominations wanted for North Bay Mining Hall of FameThe North Bay Mining Association hosts its Hall of Fame gala, May 3.
Administrative shakeup in Sioux Lookout Sioux Lookout is doing some administrative restructuring in a cost-cutting move to finalize its 2012 budget.
Gold junior appeals court ruling Solid Gold Resources is challenging a Superior Court of Ontario ruling that halted its exploration program in northeastern Ontario.
Winter road building underway Construction of the vital winter roads network, connecting remote First Nation communities, is in full swing.
Seine River First Nation preps for investmentSeine River First Nation is receiving funding from the province's Northern Communities Investment Readiness initiative.
Palladium miner expects new Lac des Iles shaft in production for 2012North American Palladium (NAP) said finishing the expansion at the Lac des Iles mine (LDI) is a priority for the Toronto-based miner.
Timmins industrial lot development gets FedNor bounceFedNor Minister Tony Clement stepped off the inaugural flight of Porter Airlines to Timmins with $500,000 cheque in hand to extend municipal water and sewer infrastructure to the city's west end.
Wallbridge raises funds for Sudbury explorationWallbridge Mining Company has entered into a joint venture with Lonmin PLC to back its exploration work in Sudbury.
Sault organizations net $540,000 from FedNorFour Sault Ste. Marie organizations are the beneficiaries of recent FedNor funding announcements worth more than $540,000.
St. Marys sale estimated to be complete by early MarchThe sale of St. Marys Paper in Sault Ste. Marie could be complete by March 2, if approval for the sale is given this week as anticipated.
Laurentian appoints architecture school directorLaurentian University has chosen the founding director for its school of architecture.
Quadra, Sagamok sign agreementQuadra FNX and Sagamok Anishnawbek have signed a memorandum of understanding in relation to the development of the Victoria Project in Sudbury, a day after announcing its 2011 fourth-quarter production numbers.
Porter Airlines begins Timmins servicePorter Airlines marked the start of service to Timmins Jan. 16 with a reception at Timmins Victor M. Power Airport for the inaugural flight from Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport.
Plan Nord talk hits Thunder Bay Northwestern Ontario community leaders want to hear the inside dope on what Quebec has planned for the development of its Far North.
Dryden economic development head resigns Dryden's chief economic development official has abruptly resigned.
Court, government threw junior miner “under the bus,” company claimsA Thornhill, Ont. junior miner has come out swinging against an Ontario Superior Court decision that temporarily halted exploration in northeastern Ontario.
Record year for passengers at T-Bay airport Thunder Bay International Airport posted a record year in passenger traffic in 2011.
Image makeover for North Shore community It may not be Sin City, but Township of Nipigon officials want to come up with a catchy marketing tag line to encourage tourists to stay and play.
Province announces wood branding campaignThe Ontario government is introducing a new campaign to expand markets for Ontario wood products, which encourages Ontarians to buy local.
Stantec donates to Collège BoréalStantec has donated $50,000 to the Fondation du Collège Boréal, which supports scholarships for students.
Vote date set for Quadra, AcquireCo dealStakeholders will meet on Feb. 20 to determine the future of Quadra FNX.
Bridge traffic hits nine-year high in SaultTraffic on the International Bridge in Sault Ste. Marie hit a nine-year high in 2011, with nearly two million crossings, although truck traffic was down.
First Nations reiterate opposition to nuclear waste storageThe Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) and the Anishinabek Nation have united in their opposition to the storage of nuclear waste in Northern Ontario.
McGuinty government says Ontario is leader in job creation The Ontario government said its focus on job creation and economic growth “is working” with 121,000 new jobs created in 2011.
More study for proposed Thunder Bay Event CentreThe City of Thunder Bay plans to be shovel-ready with its proposed Event Centre for the next round of federal P3 infrastructure funding.
Drilling, feasibility plan scheduled for Wallbridge in 2012Plans for Wallbridge Mining Company Ltd. in 2012 include advancing its Broken Hammer copper-platinum group element (PGE) project through feasibility and completing over 15,000 metres of exploration diamond drilling on its Sudbury area projects.
Porter Airlines rides high in 2011 Porter Airlines posted a record 2.1 million passengers in 2011.
Superior Court sides with First Nation in drilling dispute A northeastern Ontario First Nation won its injunction fight in Ontario Superior Court against a junior miner that was conducting unapproved exploration drilling on its traditional territory.
Queenston Mining hires new COO Queenston Mining has appointed Philip Ng as its chief operating officer.
Meet, greet and get listed by the Toronto money menFinding ways to access capital for your company and gain global visibility through a Toronto Stock Exchange and TSX Venture Exchange listing will be topic of a panel discussion at a Jan. 17 Greater Sudbury Chamber of Commerce event.
Root and toot for Timmins' professional youth Timmins' second annual Young Professionals Awards gala is set for the Porcupine Dante Club, Feb. 15.

