Thunder Bay appoints mining czar.

• Author: Mason, John
• Position: NEWS - Thunder Bay Community Economic Development Commission appoints John Mason

Move over Sudbury, Thunder Bay wants to dig into the mining supply and services game.

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The Thunder Bay Community Economic Development Commission (CEDC) has tapped a provincial geoscientist to focus on growing the city's mining supply sector.

John Mason was named the CEDC's first project manager of mining services.

He started the job on June 13.

The former regional manager of the Ontario Geological Survey's northwestern Ontario regional office in Thunder Bay brings with him 36 years of experience from the Ministry of Northern Development, Mines and Forestry

A graduate of Lakehead University with an Honours Bachelor of Science degree in geology, he is a well-known figure for his in-depth knowledge of Ontario's mining and exploration sector.

He'll be using that expertise in marketing the region's major mining camps and vast mineral potential to bring greater visibility to what has been, literally, an underground economy in the northwestern Ontario city.

In a June 10 statement, CEO Steve Demmings said Mason's expertise "dramatically contributes to the bench strength of the CEDC" in fulfilling the investment potential and job creation for the region.

The CEDC believes Thunder Bay is poised to capitalize on the robust exploration and mining sector in northwestern Ontario...