Marathon an exploration and mining community.

• Author: Larmour, Adelle
• Position: SPECIAL REPORT: MINING

Aligning interests between mines and First Nation, and energy conservation were two keynotes delivered at the second annual Marathon-Hemlo Mining and Prospecting Expo.

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Byron LeClair, Pic River First Nations economic development officer, and Peter Love, Ontario Power Authority's chief energy conservation officer, addressed a diverse section of mining industry gurus as well as the general public.

Approximately 170 people attended the conference, travelling from as far west as Kenora to southern Ontario, says Daryl Skworchinski, Marathon's manager of community services and economic development.

The event stemmed out of Marathon's economic development strategy as an avenue to bring the mining sector and community together to network and gain a better understanding of projects. Skworchinski says it was meant to bring mining to the fore in Marathon, highlighting the town as a mining community and centre for exploration and development.

Themed "Environmental, Exploration and Innovation Excellence" in the mining and natural resource industries, Love spoke of OPA's mandate in terms of energy conservation and sustainable developments that provide long-term electricity in Ontario.

Love pointed out four types of conservation: fuel switching; conservation/demand management; energy efficiency; and self-generation/co-generation.

He provided examples of OPA's Renewable Energy Standard Offer Program that supports small grid-connected wind, water, solar PV and biomass generated power offering price stability and security with a 20-year contract. Other programs are the Technology Development Fund and the Conservation Fund, both of which provide funding for projects that promote the development and commercialization of technologies that improve electricity supply, conservation or demand management, and conservation education and electricity reduction pilot projects.

Love said many of the mines in Northern Ontario, including Williams Operating Corp. (WOC)...