Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development, David Piccini, has announced funding through efforts with the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) led by CEO Jeff Lang for a new state-of-the art mine training facility in Sudbury to strengthen worker safety, expand training capacity, and support the province’s leadership in critical minerals.
The 124-acre facility will offer specialty training such as confined space, live fire exercises, tower and water rescue, and other targeted programs to further mining health and safety and emergency preparedness, both provincially and globally.
With the global demand for critical minerals expected to double by 2030, this announcement will see Sudbury play a major role in economic development for the province as a whole.
Ontario Mine Rescue (OMR) will further solidify their leadership in state-of-the art rescue by actively utilizing the facility to strengthen their mine rescue practices, it said.
“An initiative of this caliber strengthens our resources and expands access to equipment and training, enabling continual improvement and ensuring the evolving needs of mine rescue across the industry are fully supported,” OMRF Chief Mine Rescue Officer Shawn Rideout said in a news release.
“This is a transformative step for mine rescue and emergency preparedness in Ontario,” Mike Parent, CEO of Workplace Safety North and Ontario Mine Rescue, added.
“A world class mine rescue training academy in Sudbury will significantly strengthen our capacity to deliver advanced, leading-edge training and ensure we are prepared for the future growth of mining in this province,” Parent said. “It firmly positions Ontario as a global leader in mine safety and emergency response. This facility will also enable world class emergency preparedness training to be delivered here at home, reducing the need to seek specialized expertise outside Canada and further reinforcing Ontario’s reputation as a premier mining jurisdiction.”
The initiative supports Ontario’s broader strategy to strengthen supply chain resilience, drive economic growth, and advance responsible development of critical minerals, particularly in Northern Ontario.
The announcement coincides with Workplace Safety North’s 28th Annual Mining Health and Safety Conference, themed Shaping Safety in the Critical Minerals Era, attended by 250 industry leaders from across the mining sector.
Conference discussions highlighted key priorities shaping the future of mining.
“For nearly three decades, this conference has built trust and credibility across the industry,” added Parent. “We are proud to leverage that foundation to support Ontario’s mining sector from a position of strength well into the future.”