Mineral Exploration

Throughout its history, Timmins has been known globally as one of the richest mineral-producing areas in the world, especially renowned as one of the richest gold districts. The community lies at the heart of the Abitibi Greenstone Belt, which contains some of the world’s largest deposits of gold, silver, copper, and zinc. Additionally, other critical minerals, platinum group metals, and industrial minerals such as nickel and talc can also be found in the region. The Ontario Geological Survey has also indicated that the Timmins region hosts various Critical Minerals and Rare Earth Elements, including carbonatite and alkali intrusive suites.¹

Since gold was first mined in the area in 1910, Timmins has developed into a prominent global hub for metal and mineral mining. Exploration activities have been, and continue to be, a main driver of initiatives that support mines in operation or under development. There is a mix of more than 50 mines within a four-hour drive of Timmins, and almost half of all mines in operation or under development in Northern Ontario are located in the Timmins region. World-leading producers such as Newmont, Glencore Canada, and Pan American Silver have operations here, demonstrating confidence in Canadian mining, as evidenced by a $497 million investment in mineral exploration and deposit appraisals in 2019.²

With a regional population of around 90,000, Timmins boasts a well-established and sophisticated infrastructure, an experienced labor pool, and a broad base of technical and support services for the mining exploration industry. The city-owned Victor M. Power Airport, a ten-minute drive from the city center, provides a convenient gateway to regional, national, and international markets. Specifically, it’s less than a 90-minute flight to Toronto at both Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport and Pearson International Airport, providing access to corporate head offices to raise capital and secure investment in projects.

The Province of Ontario is a mining-friendly jurisdiction. As part of its ongoing modernization of the Mining Act, the Ministry of Energy, Northern Development and Mines (MENDM) implemented a province-wide online claim staking and claims management system. MENDM’s Ontario Geological Survey (OGS) regularly publishes maps, reports, and digital data on the province’s geography. These services update geological knowledge and inform assessments of mineral and energy potential, mineral investment, and land-use planning decisions.