What have been the main developments at MineConnect over the past year?
MineConnect has grown to nearly 300 members, making it the largest mining supply and services association in Canada, seeing a 50% growth in membership since rebranding in 2020. MineConnect has decided to expand and represent suppliers across the entire Ontario province, instead of just northern Ontario. An exciting development over the past year has been our partnership with the Goodman School of Mines to bring their ‘Mine Opportunity Challenge’ to high school students across northern Ontario, specifically Timmins, North Bay and Thunder Bay. The ‘Mine Opportunity Challenge’ is an engaging game that digs deep into the world of mineral resources where students collaborate to become the “wealthiest” team by successfully answering questions and completing challenges and activities hosted by local mining industry companies and suppliers. The events held thus far have been extremely successful at increasing awareness about mining as a career path and we are now working with Cambrian College to digitize the game to make it more accessible. Our members require a larger skilled workforce, so we continue to find innovative ways to address this challenge.
At the 2024 CIM Connect Convention, MineConnect partnered with the Mining Suppliers Association of British Columbia, Saskatchewan Trade and Export Partnership and 48e Nord International of Québec to host a panel of mine operators from the respective provinces, discussing their projects and how they can engage suppliers. We have also made inroads with different regions internationally – including the DRC’s Lualaba province, which is experiencing tremendous growth. MineConnect will continue to host and attend events, build initiatives, and foster partnerships with other provinces, domestically and internationally, to connect our suppliers with various mining industries and help them grow their businesses.
MineConnect also supports and partners with ‘Women in Mining’ chapters, and because we have a significant network of members, we can help bring their message that diversity should be looked at as an opportunity to more industry players.
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