Fedeli is all smiles about 'amazing' northern mining sector

Nipissing MPP and Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade Vic Fedeli says he sends Premier Doug Ford a daily vitamin of good news on economic growth.

"Businesses are ready to invest again," Fedeli declared during a virtual NOHFC funding announcement with three local mining companies as the beneficiaries.

Recently, it was news of the $21-million investment in the local economy by Norgalv that Fedeli delivered to Ford.

"Every single morning I send him one from across Ontario and it's fabulous, it shows the confidence here in Ontario," Fedeli shared.

See related: 'Government doesn't create jobs, it creates opportunities'

See also: Fedeli helps reveal new critical mining strategy

Fedeli announced, Friday, the Ontario government is investing $563,000 into three local mining and manufacturing businesses in the Nipissing region to help create nine new jobs, retain an additional four positions and promote economic development in Northeastern Ontario. He was joined by North Bay Mayor Al McDonald and Peter Chirico represented the NOHFC.

"Our government is pleased to support Nipissing’s mining and manufacturing sector, which continues to create good jobs for our area," said Fedeli. "As we continue to navigate the COVID pandemic, it is important to highlight Northern Ontario as a strong and competitive region to attract new business investments."

Drillco Mining and Exploration is receiving $243,280 to assist with the development of a prototype clean-tech ultra-deep surface drill capable of drilling diamond core drill holes to depths of 3,000 metres. 

"The NOHFC funding will greatly assist with designing, engineering, assembly, prototyping and testing costs of Drillco’s first Clean-Tech modular drill that has ultra-deep drilling capacity. Our innovative ultra-deep drill was built in North Bay and is currently being tested in Canada on a flagship gold project. Successful results are allowing us to showcase the new drill to the drilling industry," said Sylvain Brisson, President of Drillco Mining and Exploration.

Wagg’s Petroleum Equipment Limited is receiving $120,413 to support the expansion of the company’s facility.

"The recent increase in mining activity throughout the North has grown the demand for Wagg's expertise installing and servicing fuelling facilities," said Terry Ablett, President of Wagg's Petroleum. “The NOHFC program funding will help us to expand our office and manufacturing facilities in order to meet these new business opportunities."

And, Mincon Canada is receiving $199,247 to purchase a new Mazak-Variaxis CNC machine — the company says the machine's fixtures will improve production efficiency and increase capacity to produce parts more affordably.

"We would like to thank the Ontario Government and the NOHFC program for approving this funding towards the purchase of new equipment for our manufacturing facility. The purchase of the new Mazak-Variaxis I800 CNC machine and its fixtures will improve our production efficiency and increase our capacity to produce parts at a more affordable cost, said Charlene Ylimaki, General Manager of Mincon Canada. “We expect that our increase in productivity will create an opportunity for existing employees to expand their skilled trades experience and create new jobs in this field.”

Funding for the projects is being delivered through the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation. The NOHFC has the mandate to promote economic prosperity across Northern Ontario by providing financial assistance to projects – big and small, rural and urban – that stimulate recovery, growth, job creation and skills development. Since June 2018, the NOHFC reports it has invested more than $309 million in 3,050 projects in Northern Ontario, leveraging more than $1.1 billion in investment and creating or sustaining over 4,770 jobs.

There are 900 Ontario companies ready to provide world-class mining supply and services that help bring $10.7 billion in minerals to market every year in Ontario alone and billions more in countries worldwide.

"As a northern Ontario cabinet minister, I have a wonderful insight into the mines that are being proposed and developed throughout the north," Fedeli observed.  

See: Fedeli to make trade mission to Peru and Ecuador

He added the measures the government has taken to reduce the cost of doing business were "the fundamentals" in place before the COVID-19 pandemic and are now ready to be accessed by businesses looking to expand, and by new companies coming into Ontario.

"This is like the mining days of the past when we see what is happening in Cobalt, New Liskeard, Kirkland Lake, Geraldton, Hearst, Red Lake, and Timmins, the finds, they go into those old mines and re-explore," Fedeli says. "It's just amazing what we're seeing happening in northern Ontario and it's great that North Bay and Nipissing is such a big part of that."