The Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation is providing $3.5 million to support six local mining projects expected to create 28 new jobs.
Sudbury MPP and Minister of Energy Glenn Thibeault made the provincial funding announcement Friday.
He said it's important for the province to support the local mining sector during a downturn, to ensure companies are in a better position when the cycle improves.
“Yes we have a diversified economy in Sudbury, but we still have a strong reliance on mining and the mining supply and services sector,” he said.
Michael Gravelle, Ontario's Minister of Northern Development and Mines and Labour Minister Kevin Flynn were also at the announcement, which took place at Hardrock Mining Products' new fabrication facility in Val Caron.
Hardrock Mining was one of the day's funding recipients, and received $1 million to relocate, modernize and expand its Sudbury operation to increase productivity and meet market demands.
Accutron Instruments Inc. received $148,200 to develop prototypes for communications and monitoring systems for use in mining and industrial operations.
BESTECH received $146,661 to develop a Blast Gas Clearance Module to optimize ventilation of blast gas from underground mining corridors and improve productivity.
Boart Longyear Canada received $1.37 million to develop technology for mineral exploration rigs with the potential to improve safety for miners, increase efficiency and reduce drilling costs.
Rock-Tech received $800,000 to help construct a new facility to expand its mining equipment manufacturing operations.
And TesMan Inc. received $75,000 to develop innovative technology that will improve mine safety by enabling the explosives loading process to be completed from a distance.
Gravelle said the investments show that Ontario's mining sector continues to grow.
Flynn said the investments also show investments in health and safety in mining can lead to more productivity and safer workplaces.
“We're seeing a decrease in incidents and fatalities,” he said. “We're seeing an increase in research and development.”
