Funding from the province is helping to create thirteen new jobs in the local mining and supply sector.
Vic Fedeli, Nipissing MPP, announced over $560,000 from the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund for three North Bay companies.
Over $243,000 goes to Drillco Mining and Exploration.
David Jones, Business Development Officer, says the funding was used for design-work, engineering, prototyping, assembly and testing of a new drill.
“NOHFC’s support for this ultra-deep drill allows us to create the first clean-tech drill with capabilities of drilling to 3,000 metres, this is the holy grail in the drilling industry,” he says.
Jones says based on excellent testing results of the prototype drill they’ve closed a new order for another ultra-deep drill for a northern Ontario-based drilling contractor, and it’s being built in North Bay.
Nearly $200,000 is going to MinCon Canada Drilling Products Inc. to purchase new equipment to expand its facility and improve shop productivity.
“The purchase of the new Mazak-Variaxis I800 CNC machine and its fixtures will improve our production efficiency and increase our capacity to produce parts at a more affordable cost. We expect that our increase in productivity will create an opportunity for existing employees to expand their skilled trades experience and create new jobs in this field,” says Charlene Ylimaki, General Manager of Mincon Canada.
Terry Ablett, President of Wagg’s Petroleum, says the $120,000 they’re receiving will be used for expansion.
“Wagg’s recently completed the necessary permitting to expand our office area so we can accommodate additional project management and technical staff for large mining facility supply contracts that we have secured. In addition to this office expansion we are increasing space for equipment storage and assembly,” he says.
“Our government is honoured to support Nipissing’s mining and manufacturing sector, which continues to create good jobs for our area,” said MPP Vic Fedeli. “As we continue to navigate the COVID pandemic, it is important to highlight Northern Ontario as a strong and competitive region to attract new business investments.”