7 June 2017
(Yellowknife, NT – June 7, 2017) June 5th to 10th celebrates NWT Mining Week, a time to remember the importance of the minerals industry to our everyday lives, and to the Northwest Territories and its communities. Mining Week is also a time to celebrate the hard work of the many workers to create wealth for our territory in exploring for, and responsibly and safely mining resources from the land.
Since mining began in the NWT over 80 years ago, over $60 billion in a variety of minerals has been mined. Winning those minerals from the ground has translated into a variety of benefits from training, to jobs, to significant business development. Our northern mines have also contributed significant infrastructure investments, which continue to benefit the north. These include our only railway, all three hydropower generating facilities, and several highways. Even our capital city of Yellowknife owes much to its roots in mining and exploration.
According to Chamber of Mines President Gary Vivian, “Our mines continue to generate significant benefits today, and these benefits are reaching far across the North and to Canada. Our latest data shows that our mines are exceeding expectations, with nearly 1,900 northern residents working in the industry in 2015. Of these, nearly 900 were Aboriginal workers. And total expenditures with northern companies has now passed $12 billion of which over $5 billion has been with Aboriginal firms. This is a good time to thank a miner.”
NWT Mining Week is being celebrated in conjunction with the Territorial Mine Rescue Championship, which winds up on June 10 with a public demonstration of rescue teams’ skills at the Multiplex arena site in Yellowknife. There, mine rescue teams from across the north will show off their well-honed skills to rescue workers from mock disasters. “Our industry has an award winning and enviable safety record, and it’s in no small part due to the attention that the mines pay to accident prevention,” said Vivian. “Our mine rescue teams have worked hard to prepare for every eventuality, and they will get to show off those skills to the public this weekend.”
Mining Week will also see a number of public geology walking tours during the week before culminating with the annual Miners’ Picnic to be held in the Yellowknife Multiplex Arena parking lot on Saturday, June 10, from noon to 3:00 PM. Come enjoy free food, and bring the family for the many children’s events. Everyone is welcome, and you can also watch the final day of the Mine Rescue Competition, held at the same location.
See the poster of activities here: http://www.miningnorth.com/_rsc/site-content/miningweek/Poster-MiningWeek_2017.jpg
For more information on the NWT and Nunavut mining industries, please visit the Chamber’s website at www.miningnorth.com or contact Tom Hoefer, Executive Director at Tel: 867?873?5281 or email: executivedirector@miningnorth.com.
