Around the North

Dr. Laxman “Lucky” Amaratunga, a professor in the School of Engineering at Laurentian University, has been bestowed the 2012 Lifetime Achievement Award by the Canadian Mineral Processors Society.

Serpent River First Nation has received federal funding for a feasibility study that will determine the viability of a freshwater, closed containment aquaculture project for the community.

North American Palladium (NAP) reports making “significant progress” in advancing the its mine expansion at its Lac des Iles (LDI) mine in northwestern Ontario.

Osisko Mining Corporation plans to spend $59 million this year at its advance Hammond Reef project near Atikokan in northwestern Ontario. Most of that expenditure is earmarked for reserve development and exploration, and feasibility studies.

Export Development Canada (EDC) chief economist Peter Hall will present the latest information on the global economy and its impact on Canadian business next month in Sudbury.

On Thursday, March 15, 2012, producers of the hit television show Dragons’ Den will be at Northern College’s Porcupine Campus searching for a new crop of aspiring entrepreneurs. Open auditions will be held from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The Ontario government pocketed more than $22 million from exporting electricity in January. Power went out on the transmission grid to customers in Manitoba, Quebec, New York, Michigan and Minnesota.

The installation of a new culvert at Caribus Lake near Atikokan will improve road safety on Highway 11.

Brigus Gold is looking to boost gold production at its Black Fox mine in Timmins. In a Feb. 21 news release, the company is forecasting gold production numbers of between 77,000 and 85,000 ounces for 2012.

Industry veteran Doug Morrison has been named the new president and CEO of the Centre for Excellence in Mining Innovation (CEMI) in Sudbury.