The Thunder Bay Community Economic Development Commission is presenting a glowing prediction for mining in northwestern Ontario.
CEDC mining expert John Mason telling city council a new Mining Readiness Strategy shows over the next decade the six current mines, and new ones coming on board, will be in need of a larger workforce which currently sits at 3,600,
“We’re almost most going to double that total to 7,000 we hope as most of these projects get to the finish line on production,” notes Mason.
The CEDC spokesperson adds there will also be the need for about 2,000 construction jobs over the next five to six years.
Mason says the strategy shows production to be highly promising within the same time frame noting “Production, in a nutshell, will roughly double in terms of precious metals.”
As for economic output, Mason says the report shows it is predicted to be in the area of $8 billion per year.
The report was put together for the CEDC by consulting firm MNP.
The firm developed the strategy through mining industry stakeholder interviews with 18 exploration and mining companies and 25 associations.