THUNDER BAY – MINING – The City of Thunder Bay declared Mining Day and it was as if the youth in the city came out in droves. From getting to pan for gold, draw with graphite, or just learn about mining, the day at Marina Park was a tremendous success.
There were hundreds of young people out to the event, enjoying not only the sunshine but the exhibits.
One of the popular exhibits was panning for gold.
Inside the tent, there were exhibits from several of the local mining companies including North American Palladium, Kenyatta Ventures, Noront Resources, and Goldcorp.
Zenyatta Ventures had an innovative booth where youth were drawing pictures with a rock. The rock, a piece of graphite from the company’s Albany project near Constance Lake First Nation.
At the Lakehead University Geology Department Booth, the show was the different rocks which could make arrowheads. As well there was an arrow with an arrowhead made from glass.
Many hunters are starting to make their own arrowheads again, which they are finding work as well as the modern metal ones.
In addition to the mining exhibits, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry was on hand to help educate about fire safety.
Aviation in the north is key for mining, and increasingly helicopters are used for getting in and out of mining areas. The Expedition helicopter here burns about $300 of fuel an hour. It is expensive but the value in time and finding mineral deposits is critical.
Finally, the Underground Gym was running the food camp at Mining Day. These diligent youth were making sure that hungry miners got a good quick meal.
