Mining Expo at The Mac on May 19 and 20
 The Timmins mining industry is gearing up for The Big Event, an annual Northern Mines and Exploration Expo, to be held at the McIntyre Arena on May 19 and 20. Here, show manager Glenn Dredhart, left, prepares for the event with the help of Goldcorp general manager Chris Cormier and Timmins Mayor Tom Laughren. (KATE MCLAREN The Daily Press)
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An upcoming expo will help reassure residents that the mining industry is indeed alive and well in Timmins.
"Timmins is the hub of mining in Canada, if not North America," said Glenn Dredhart, show manager for The Northern Mines and Exploration Expo. "There's a lot of activity in this area, and a lot of junior and senior mines are very excited about the show."
Nicknamed The Big Event, it showcases all aspects of the mining world with 300 indoor and outdoor displays, ranging from equipment to new technology to job opportunities.
"It's all about showcasing," said Dredhart. "We're going to be promoting what we do best."
Dredhart added that the show has become very popular in the past year, and preregistration for this year's event is already "four times" more than last year's.
The expo will also include networking opportunities for people in the mining field looking for employment.
"This show is utilized by people from all over Canada," said Timmins Mayor Tom Laughren. "People should come with their resumes ready, because it's a great chance for people who are job hunting in the industry."
Timmins mining veterans and newcomers will be featured at the show to discuss upcoming projects and updates on existing undertakings, including Goldcorp's new Hoyle Pond and Hollinger Pit projects.
"We want to let people know what we're up to," said Dave Buchar, Goldcorp's strategic development manager. "We'll be set up to answer the public's questions, as well as look at new hires."
Also looking forward to the show is Lakeshore Gold, a relatively new face on the Timmins mining scene.
"A few years ago, we had 10 employees," said Lakeshore Gold's executive vice-president Brian Hagan. "Today, including contractors, we have about 450.
"We're excited to be involved in the event, and very glad to be in a community that supports mining so strongly."
The theme of this year's mining expo is The Next Decade.
"If you go back three years ago, and look at the mining industry, there was a lot of negativity," said Dredhart. "But everything now is just flying.
"Gold is a major commodity."
As the need for miners increases, Northern College president Fred Gibbons said the school is developing programs to meet the demand, including diamond driller and underground dill courses.
"We cut our teeth in mining 90 years ago," said Gibbons. "And we continue to support the industry by providing it with human resources."
Appearing again at this year's Big Event after a hiatus is the Northern Miners Jackleg Drilling Competition, which demonstrates safe operation of a hand held drill as well as providing friendly competition for miners.
The top driller will receive a cash prize of $300.
Student geological bus tours, a popular event last year, will also return, along with a Discover Prospecting course, both offered by the Porcupine Prospectors and Developers Association.
"This is a professional event for anyone that is involved in mining in any way," explained Dredhart. "What better place to go?
"I'm pumped."
The Northern Mines and Exploration Expo is set to take place May 19 and 20 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day.