A message from MineConnect

MineConnect members visit Codelco’s Chuquicamata mine in Chile. Credit: MineConnect

Fabricators, drilling suppliers, BEV manufacturers, logistics, software, engineering and training companies – these are only some of types of businesses that comprise a network of over 500 mining supply and service providers residing within a host of communities along the northern Ontario section of the Trans-Canada Highway. Together, these businesses represent combined annual revenues of $5.5 billion and employ over 23,000 people.

The region itself is already rich in some of the planet’s most sought after natural resources, including gold, nickel, cobalt, lithium, palladium and platinum. It currently hosts 38 operating mines – both underground and open pit – plus 25 advanced mineral exploration projects in various stages of development, including the promising “Ring of Fire” which will someday supply much of the world’s primary minerals.

Linking all of this together is MineConnect, a marketing, lead generation and communications/networking organization whose current membership of over 200 homegrown and global mining supply and service companies represents some of the most advanced, innovative and dedicated expertise available anywhere on the globe.

Over the past 12 months, the organization went through a major rebranding initiative announced at PDAC 2020. MineConnect has now finalized its transition to a truly pan-northern body and continues to drive its new mandate forward. It has also completed a board recruitment process that brought on directors from all five major northern Ontario cities.

Central to much of this activity has been the creation of a lead generation program backed by a global marketing campaign designed to drive traffic to the organization’s redesigned website www.mineconnect.com, and get the attention of regional and global mining companies regarding the tremendous innovations pouring out of Northern Ontario’s mining supply and services cluster.

As a looming major player in the global mining scene, the association is responsible for the creation of a successful international trade program and has hosted delegations of some of the largest international mining companies from countries such as Mexico, Chile and Columbia, providing them with a first-hand opportunity to get to know Northern Ontario and its member companies. It has also delivered a number of outgoing missions, opening the doors to mine sites in the U.S. and South America, thus providing its members with new export opportunities. Its newest lead generation initiative will be opening of a new storefront in Elko, Nev., in partnership with the Nevada Governor’s Office and supported by the Northern Ontario Export Program.

As an Association, MineConnect continues to support its members with lead generation initiatives, information sessions, educational webinars and company/market exposure opportunities designed to deliver value and push its primary mandate of assisting member companies grow their businesses. The impact of MineConnect’s influence is best summed up by the words of Tom Palangio, founder and CEO of Wipware. “We have been a member of MineConnect since its inception because it reinforces our connection with the global mining market and provides the intelligence needed to keep up with changing conditions throughout the world and the opportunities and trends our technology can bring,” he says. “It also helps us network with other suppliers to share information and support each other.”

As its mission statement suggests, MineConnect’s mandate is to ensure its members are recognized throughout the globe as “Suppliers of Choice to the World.” From what we can see, it’s well on its way to achieving this!

Paul Bradette is the outgoing executive director of MineConnect