Being held at the McIntyre Community Building complex June 8 and 9
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The Canadian Mining Expo is back in Timmins in just a few weeks’ time, and this year the event looks to be bigger than ever.
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Due to the COVID pandemic, it was last held in 2019, but the event has become well known as Canada’s largest gold mining show.
It will take over pretty much the entire McIntyre Community Complex area in Schumacher on Wednesday, June 8, and Thursday, June 9, with happenings such as exhibits, displays, forums, socials, demonstrations, seminars, and more taking place on the arena floor, in the curling club, the auditorium and ballroom indoors, as well as plenty of activities outdoors.
“We’re excited, and the industry is excited,” said Glenn Dredhart, president of Canadian Trade-Ex, the hosts and lead organizers of the event.
The last two years saw the group utilize their Virtex online platform to host conferences, meetings, and trade shows where companies, suppliers, and other mining industry stakeholders could gather for a smaller scale version of the expo, but to be back in-person will be a major boost for the industry, but also the local economy.
“It has been overwhelming actually, the response that we’ve had. Our Timmins event is sold out. We’ve managed to get 400 displays, and over 320 companies,” said Dredhart.
“We’re still going to stream some activities, so that we can give somewhat of a global twist to the event, and provide access for some of the global players who are interested in the mining camp of Northern Ontario.”
Dredhart said most activities are “booked solid” including the sold-out gala dinner, but that doesn’t mean the public can’t take in plenty of the expo.
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In fact, the event will be a tremendous opportunity for job seekers as the Expo will feature a career fair, and entry will be free for those who show up with their resumes.
“They’ll get a free pass as a job seeker, and there will be over 50 companies who are accepting resumes, right from their booths or displays. There will also be a big job board as soon as you walk in, so they’ll be able to see which companies are there, and where their booth location is,” said Dredhart.
There will be a $25 entry fee for non-job seekers to attend the indoor events.
One of the most famous events at the Canadian Mining Expo is the jackleg competitions, where people compete to show off their expertise in the usage of a handheld percussion rock drill.
“It’s always a well-attended event.”
The jackleg competitions will take place just outside of the McIntyre Curling Club on Wednesday, June 8, beginning at 11:30 a.m. with the “Dignitary Challenge.”
“Right after the grand opening ceremonies, our dignitaries that are coming in and welcoming people to the Canadian Mining Expo, will head over and take part in the competition,” said Dredhart.
He said the Canadian Mining Expo has been taking place since the late 1990s. Initially it wasn’t an annually held event.
“It grew to an annual event when Timmins was celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2009,” Dredhart explained.
The companies attending the Expo will be from near and far, including many international firms.
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“They come from everywhere.”
At the 2019 event, there were more than 5,300 visitors during the two-day period. Nearly every hotel room from Timmins to Kirkland Lake was booked, and organizers are hoping to see more than that at this year’s edition.
“Economically, this event is good for Timmins. Really, really good for Timmins,” said Dredhart.
Visit canadianminingexpo.com for complete event information.
Dredhart said networking is a major component of the Canadian Mining Expo, and the setting, with the historic McIntyre headframe, and the current Newmont open pit within view, could not be any more atmospheric, which he said is lacking in other major mining trade shows in cities like Toronto and Las Vegas, which he has attended many times.
“It’s been a long haul, not just for us, but for almost everyone. The mining operations are supporting the event because they like to know what is out there, what is available to their key staff members, and how they can increase their production within their operation.
“At the same time, there is a definite craving for electric mine vehicles and green energy, so there will be a lot of talk about critical minerals and other technologies available to serve these mining operations moving forward.”
Dredhart said he and his team are also very appreciative of the assistance they have received from the City of Timmins in helping make the event possible, and that he has already started taking bookings for the 2023 event.
The 2022 Canadian Mining Expo will be a big opportunity to see the latest in mining technology developments.
“There is a lot to talk about. Every year we add something new and exciting. There is absolutely nothing else like it out there.”
