Discussion paper looks for answers: Rick Bartolucci wants to hear from the public what his government can do to improve the mining industry.

Northern Ontario's dominant position in the international mining sector is being challenged.

To remain globally competitive, Ontario requires a forward-looking mineral strategy addressing the challenges and opportunities in the mining sector, according to Rick Bartolucci, Minister of Northern Development and Mines.

He addressed attendees at an Ontario Mining Association luncheon held Sept. 22 at the Holiday Inn in Greater Sudbury.

"How do we stay in the pack?" Bartolucci asks.

Competition, Canada's strong dollar and rigorous environmental standards are just a few challenges facing operational mining houses in the region according to a discussion paper Bartolucci sourced during his address.

Therefore, the Ministry is developing a strategy aimed at strengthening the foundation for sustainable management and stewardship of Ontario's mineral resources.

The Mineral Development Strategy for Ontario has four key objectives.

The first is to maintain and continually attract long-term investment in mineral exploration.

The second is to support the mineral sector's efforts to further enhance its mining performance as a modern, safe, high-tech and environmentally sound industry.

The third objective is to clarify the responsibilities of government and mineral sector companies by strengthening and confirming the status of mining lands in land use planning and decision making on Crown lands.

The fourth objective is to enhance product development and commercialization in the province.

Ontario is a leader in Canada's mineral industry, accounting for about a third the country's output at $7.2 billion in 2004, according to the minister. Exploration companies spent more than $300 million looking for minerals last year according to the discussion paper. It is estimated each public dollar invested in geological survey activities attracts between $3 and $5 of private sector investment in mineral exploration.

It has one of the highest multiplier effects within Ontario, bringing in 22,500 direct jobs and 75,000 indirect jobs with an average salary of $59,500 per year. Mining companies in general spend more than $1 billion annually on goods and services, 80 percent of which stays within Ontario.

"It is one of Ontario's economic pillars," Bartolucci says.

"It provides one of the highest standards of living in the province."

It is the innovative approaches to challenges that has given the industry the positive reputation it deserves, but the mineral industry cannot rest on its laurels.

Mining leaders have to find ways of becoming more efficient, more profitable while maintaining or improving health and safety standards. There has been a 90-percent improvement over the last two decades relating health and safety in the mining industry, Bartolucci says. Similar advances have been made in the environmental impact of mining, he added. That is all well and good, says the Sudbury MPP, but how can we improve our situation. That is up to the public, he said.

The ministry is asking for comments, recommendations and submissions from the mining sector, Aboriginal organizations and communities up until Nov. 30 in regard to the suggestions found within the discussion paper. Public hearings will be held in the near future, and all comments are welcome.

For more information, contact Saba Khayat, corporate policy secretariat, at [e-mail] or phone [phone].

Written comments can be submitted to any MNDM office.

www.mndm.gov.on.ca

By KELLY LOUISEIZE

Northern Ontario Business