Thunder Bay, ON — The 11th annual Thunder Bay Mining Day brought hundreds of residents and families to Marina Park on Saturday, June 13, for a free, hands-on celebration of the region’s rich mining and mineral exploration heritage.
Thunder Bay Mayor Ken Boshcoff officially declared June 13 as Mining Day during a flag-raising ceremony at City Hall earlier in the week. “If you can’t grow it, you have to mine it — and that’s most of the things in your life,” Boshcoff remarked during the declaration, underscoring the essential role that mining plays in daily life and the regional economy.
The event, running from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., featured interactive exhibits and activities for all ages. Attendees enjoyed miniature diggers, metal detecting for prizes, gold panning, collectible rocks, and a dedicated table where families could ask geologists questions about rocks, minerals, and the mining industry. Activities were organized by Mining Matters and Superior Science, ensuring an educational yet entertaining experience for children and adults alike.
“We like to make sure that there’s an opportunity for the people in the city and the region to understand the value and the impacts of mining. Not everybody has a deep understanding of what mining contributes to the city and to the region.”
— Mike Grant, Vice-President, Northwestern Ontario Prospectors Association
Representatives from active mining companies including Alamos Gold, Hemlo Mining Corp., and Equinox Gold were on-site alongside exploration firms and prospectors, providing employment information and career guidance. Organizers noted that the sector — from exploration through mining to mine closure — continues to face a shortage of skilled trades workers, and events like Mining Day help connect job seekers with opportunities.
“A mining operation is a little bit like a small city. It’s probably got at least one of almost every occupation that the City of Thunder Bay has,” Grant explained, highlighting the diversity of careers available in the industry.
A barbecue fundraiser was also held in support of Women in Mining’s Northwestern Ontario branch. Last year, the organization awarded seven $3,000 scholarships to young women pursuing careers in the mining and mineral exploration sector. Several past recipients attended the event as volunteers, now representing the companies they work for.
Mary-Louise Hill, co-chair of the event’s organizing committee and a professor emeritus of geology at Lakehead University, emphasized the growing importance of mining to Canada’s economy. “Canada was built on these sectors and it’s going to continue to be important in the future,” she said. “If you come down to the Marina, you’ll see how much we all love it. We have a lot of fun down there.”
Community members are encouraged to stay informed and share this information with friends and family. Following trusted local news sources helps ensure everyone stays up to date with events and announcements affecting Thunder Bay and Northwestern Ontario.
🔗 Read the original report from CBC News Thunder Bay
For more local news, weather, sports, events, and community updates across Thunder Bay and Northwestern Ontario, visit ThunderBay.Online — your trusted source for everything happening in the region.
📍 Source: CBC News Thunder Bay · By: Nicky Shaw · 🗓️ June 14, 2026 · 🏠 ThunderBay.Online
