WorldWide Drilling Resource

Ontario Welcomes Next Generation in Mineral Exploration Adapted from Information Provided by the Ministry of Nothern Development and Mines Canada’s province of Ontario is eagerly supporting mineral exploration work by junior exploration companies, even providing training opportunities for new and po- tential prospectors. Having partnered with the Ontario Prospectors Association (OPA), Ontario announced a $5 million investment thanks to the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation. The region’s plan is to debut the Junior Exploration Assistance Program (JEAP) next spring. As quoted by Garry Clark, the executive di- rector of OPA, “The Ontario Prospectors Association welcomes the government’s investment to support junior exploration companies. Junior exploration companies will use this support to help them move their projects to the next level in develop- ment.” The program’s initial round of applications led OPA to commit to supporting 32 exploration projects spanning Northern Ontario. The enterprise attracts companies to actively engage in training for Indigenous skills or capacity building with various incentives. The province will partner with OPA to conduct the Prospecting Training Program (PTP), which is a five-day course open to members of the public with an interest in becoming prospec- tors. Training will also be available in 11 Indigenous communities within Ontario. Both JEAP and the PTP are compo- nents of Ontario’s Mineral Development Strategy (MDS), which is a 10-year vision to elevate the province to a position as a global leader in sustainable mineral exploration and development. The MDS works off of a commitment from the Growth Plan for Northern Ontario, an organization which strives for a globally competitive economy by supporting peo- ple and communities while renewing and expanding modern infrastructure and aim- ing for a healthy environment. Ontario was a leader in Canadian mining exploration spending, with a bill totaling over $390 million and making up nearly one quarter of the country’s total. The reported value of Ontario’s mineral production was $10.8 billion `last year, and the region accounts for roughly 25% of mining jobs within the country. The mining industry is the largest private employer of Indigenous peoples in Ontario. Backing mineral exploration initiatives in Northern Ontario is a piece of the government’s plan to build up the econo- my as well as create jobs. The four-part strategy includes investing in talent and skills by helping more citizens find and create the jobs of the future via access to top-quality second-level education. This is the largest investment in public infra- structure to date, with the plan also investing in a low-carbon economy driven by innovative, high-growth, export-orient- ed businesses. The government’s hope is working Ontarians will be able to achieve a more secure retirement. Mineral exploration could boost Ontario’s economy. 43 WorldWide Drilling Resource ® DECEMBER 2016