On Oct. 2  mining history was being made with the
successful launch of IDNR-TV, a natural resources television
station.
IDNR-TV is Canada's first and only television station
dedicated to the natural resources sector. It intends to become
a valuable source of information about the mining, oil and gas,
lumber, fisheries and hydroelectric industries and highlight
not only business issues but delve into social impacts,
northern culture and Aboriginal concerns.
IDNR-TV can be found on Sudbury's Persona digital cable
channel 945 and Satellite Dish. (Satellite: Anik F1R, Downlink
frequency 41.0 Mhz , 1050 Mhz. vertical , channel 220.) Its
offices are located on Spadina Ave. in Toronto.
Expansion throughout Ontario and Canada should be completed
within the next year. Sudbury was chosen as the first market to
broadcast it due to its enormous impact on the Canadian mining
industry. The crew visited the city in September.
IDNR-TV's CEO Ivor Barr says, "IDNR-TV is a different type
of television. For instance, many people see resource
development as a scourge on the environment. We don't. Outside
of the huge takeover battles over Inco and Falconbridge over
the past year, the usual Toronto mining coverage focuses on
pollution, closures or accidents. If it bleeds it leads."
Barr continues, "Don't get me wrong, IDNR-TV will cover
negative mining issues, however, we will also report all
aspects of resource development, which includes the enormous
positive benefits of rural economic development that is rarely
mentioned in mainstream media."
The initial day of programming included two separate live
panel discussions. The first on the future of mining in Ontario
included key players such as FNX CEO Terry McGibbon, OMA
president Chris Hodgson, Wallbridge Mining president Alar
Soever, Sudbury-based Toromont CAT manager Dana Matson and a
few others. A lively and informative discussion ensued that
highlighted the promising future of the Sudbury Basin's mining
sector.
The second panel discussion on Aboriginal issues in the
mining sector, hosted by producer Anita Verma included Peter
Recollet, director of Sustainable Development at Wahnapitae
First Nation, and this columnist. I worked at the Ontario
Native Affairs Secretariat for a year and a half in the late
1990s and continue to follow Aboriginal issues with a keen
interest.
The panel discussion was to last for 45 minutes and both Peter and I were a bit concerned that we would run out of things to say. In reality, the time flew by and hopefully we both provided the viewing audience with some engaging insight to the enormous potential and some of the challenges of increasing Aboriginal participation in the mining industry.
Northern Life's managing editor, Vicki Gilhula, was also
recently interviewed by  Verma in a program on Sudbury's
cultural activities.
Gilhula said, "I think IDNR-TV is a very interesting concept
and hope more people will have access to this innovative and
informative television station. More consumers in Northern
Ontario must ask their cable company to carry this station."
The only complaint would be the lack of promotion and the
channel's location on the digital band, both issues limiting
the viewing audience. Hopefully, IDNR-TV will soon be moved
from the digital to the mainstream dial allowing for a much
larger audience to see unique programming that is dedicated to
the north's resource industry and this region.
Many analysts and mining executives believe the world is entering a commodity super-cycle that will last for decades, due to the voracious demands for all metals by the industrializing and urbanizing economies of Brazil, Russia, India and of course China - the so called BRIC countries.
Northern Ontario's mining sector will see billions of dollars
of new investment over the next decade to help meet this
increased global demand.
If there was ever a time to clearly explain to Canadians the enormous benefits of this country's resource industries, than IDNR-TV seems to be the right vehicle. It certainly deserves the support of all the people and businesses of Northern Ontario.
Stan Sudol is a Toronto-based communications consultant and policy analyst who writes extensively on mining issues.[email protected]
