BY JASON THOMPSON
The mining industry in Ontario has its fair share of hurdles to jump, but with theses challenges comes great opportunity.
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Hodgson |
That's the message a Sudbury audience heard from Chris Hodgson, president of the Ontario Mining Association (OMA), and Allen Hayward, OMA chair and vice-president, at the NORCAT/Northern Ontario Business Opportunity Breakfast Series Tuesday morning.
About 110 people were in attendance for the OMA presentation, the fifth seminar in the NORCAT/NOB breakfast series.
Although the mining industry is currently doing well because metal prices are riding high, thanks to heavy demand from China and India, Hayward warns there are some glaring issues to deal with on the horizon.
He said that electricity costs and a lack of skilled workers were two of the bigger problems facing the mining industry.
Between 15 and 20 per cent of a mine's operating costs are electrical. About 60 percent of a smelter's operating expenses go towards the electricity bill.
Rising electricity costs continue to be a problem for mining companies big and small.
Hodgson said Ontario suffers from some of the highest electricity rates for business and industry in North America, and that it's up to all three levels of government to come together on this issue.
Acquiring skilled workers is another stumbling block for the mining industry, said Hayward, who is also vice-president of mining for Falconbridge Ltd.
Within 10 years, Ontario will need 81,000 skilled workers and he isn't sure where they're going to come from.
In addition to attracting skilled workers, we must also look to increase the number of women working skilled positions within the industry, said Hayward.
Considering the industry has about 81,000 positions to be filled in the coming decade, it's actually a good news story, said Hodgson.
He also said it's critical for businesses of any size to support co-operative education programs through colleges and universities in order to help grow the industry.
"We live competitive global economy and we (OMA) want to ensure that Ontario stays at the forefront and remains a leader in mining," said Hodgson.
