THUNDER BAY — Think of Wednesday’s Reverse Expo as speed dating for companies in the minerals sector.
Four mining companies came to a local hotel ballroom and gave presentations to local companies that supply and service the sector. Following their presentations, the miners had business-to-business meetings with the service and supply businesses.
One person hearing what the miners had to say was Denise Atkinson, a Red Rock Indian Band member who is chief executive officer of Tipi Horse Connects, which connects employers with Indigenous workers.
“It’s been amazing,” Atkinson said of the Reverse Expo held by the Thunder Bay Community Economic Development Commission and MineConnect.
“There’s such a great cross section of different corporations, other entrepreneurs,” she said. “It’s great to have a seat at the table with all these amazing companies.
“Mining companies are working on our traditional territories, so it’s really important for us as Indigenous entrepreneurs to get a chance at … these opportunities in our area,” Atkinson said.
The mining companies at the expo were First Mining Gold, Newmont Musselwhite (soon to be part of Orla Mining), West Red Lake Gold Mines and Green Technology Metals.