Around the North

Six First Nation communities plan to issue eviction notices to mineral exploration companies operating in the Ring of Fire.

Mattawa's Gin-Cor Industries cut the ribbon on a new 18,000-square-foot production facility. The northeastern Ontario manufacturer specializes in heavy truck-mounted accessories such as dump boxes, cranes and roll-offs.

North Bay-based mine builders, Cementation, was recognized by the Ontario government as a top apprenticeship provider for 2012.

North Bay's Nipissing University-Canadore College has won a design award for its new library.

Chad Shostal, a Thunder Bay construction supervisor, was fined $10,000 by an Ontario Court of Justice after a roofer was injured in 2011.

The Algoma Workforce Investment Committee (AWIC) has created a new sponsorship program that provides up to $500 to events or activities that advance labour market development.

Sault Ste. Marie is playing host to a three-day conference that will bring together community development corporation representatives from around the North. The Ontario Association of Community Futures Development Corporations Inc.

Rector Machine Works Ltd. in Sault Ste. Marie has received more than $700,000 to expand its facility and make equipment upgrades. The funding comprises a $369,100 loan and a $369,100 grant, which come from the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corp.

Take A Hike , a Thunder Bay outdoor sporting goods store, was among eight independent retailers inducted into the Canadian Retail Hall of Fame by the Retail Council of Canada (RCC).

The Centre for Excellence in Mining Innovation (CEMI) has named Leon Botham as its new program director of research and development. Botham, who currently serves as vice-president of mining at McElhanney Consulting Services Ltd.