With the City of Greater Sudbury planning to lead a trade mission to the central Asian country of Kazakhstan in June, the person heading the mission is confident it will open the door to more mining partnerships between local mining supply firms and new ventures in that country.
Elena Zabudskaya, a business development officer with the city, said she is hopeful the mission she leads will be as beneficial to Sudbury as was the huge Oyo Tolgoi mining operation in Mongolia. Oyu Tolgoi is a massive copper and gold mining operation owned by Rio Tinto, one of the world's largest mining companies.
Several Sudbury-based and Northern Ontario companies have been part of that project, which began construction in 2010 and commenced open-pit production in 2013. This included Rainbow Concrete, Variant Mining and Redpath Mining of North Bay.
Zabudskaya, who has become a familiar face at Canadian mining conferences and other venues where mining developments are talked about, said Kazakhstan should open the door for Canadian companies that provide mining products and services.
Zabudskaya said one of the obvious benefits is that Kazakhstan already has a burgeoning mining industry where people are looking to bring in new and innovative technology to develop new mines.
This could create opportunities for Sudbury's well-established mining supply sector.
"I believe that Kazakhstan has even more opportunities than Oyu Tolgoi and Mongolia, specifically because they have so many deposits that need to be developed,” Zabudskaya said. “And we know that a lot of junior companies are currently actively looking at the exploration, and making deals with such giants like Teck (Resources)."
Other well-known Canadian companies that have set up shop there include B2B Gold in a joint project with Arras Minerals, First Quantum Minerals, Nutrien, Hatch Ltd. and even Glencore, another industry giant.
She said the obvious benefit is that all the major Canadian mining companies already know that the Sudbury cluster of mining supply firms can provide every imaginable product and service that the global mining communities need.
The idea of a trade mission is not new, said Zabudskaya, but the fact that it happens is usually an indicator that successful partnerships are about to occur. She said the objective for the Kazakhstan mission is to open new markets for Sudbury businesses that go beyond mining operations in Canada and the United States.
"So some people say that Kazakhstan and Central Asia are the next Latin America. It's like when 20 years ago, Latin America wasn't really on the radar for mining, right? People thought it wasn't safe to go there. People had their misconceptions,” she said. “And now we know that our Sudbury suppliers are opening their operations in Chile and Brazil and Mexico. It's 20 years later and now it's the biggest, or one of the biggest mining markets, for them."
The trade mission idea is welcomed by MineConnect, the Sudbury-based agency that represents mining supply firms across Ontario.
“This mission presents a unique opportunity for industry leaders to explore new markets and foster international partnerships,” said a social media posting with MineConnect.
Zubudskaya is the only Sudbury city hall staffer who will be on the trade mission. Her trip is being paid for by Global Affairs Canada.
"My primary role is to communicate this opportunity to the companies and encourage them to join the mission," she said.
Already, she said, several Sudbury-based companies have signed on for the mission. She added there are also local mining supply companies who are considering the mission and are looking at the cost of the trip.
"Ironically, they know about Kazakhstan, and they know that it's a happening place. I don't have to convince them so much, right? So for now, I have several confirmations already. I hope there will be more," said Zabudskaya.
She said the Sudbury and Northern Ontario companies are eager to meet with the mining representatives in Kazakhstan to find out the extent of their mining operations and what products or services they might need.
She said she also learned this past week that a company from British Columbia intends to join the mission.
Zabudskaya said another important part of the mission will be attendance at the Astana Mining & Metallurgy Congress, a mining conference and trade show, taking place that week.
Sudbury will not have a booth at the show, but Zabudskaya said there will be a 90-minute session where Canadian mining technology will be showcased.
Does this mean Canada's mining expertise and technology is something other countries want to know about?
"Absolutely. The Made-in-Canada brand for the mining industry specifically is very recognizable and very reliable in their eyes," said Zabudskaya.
She added that more businesses are welcome to join the mission and they can reach her at City of Greater Sudbury by email at elena.zabudskaya@greatersudbury.ca, or by telephone at 705-674-4455, ext. 4625.
Len Gillis covers the mining industry and health care for Sudbury.com .
