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Manitobans Invited to Participate in Mining Week Celebrations

Manitobans are invited to learn more about the province’s rich mining history and the importance of minerals to daily life at Manitoba Rocks!, a celebration of Mining Week May 26 to 28 at The Forks, Innovation, Energy and Mines Minister Dave Chomiak announced today. 

“The mineral industry is Manitoba’s second-largest primary resource industry and is a key contributor to the provincial economy,” said Chomiak.  “I invite all Manitobans to participate in this year’s Mining Week celebrations.  You’re guaranteed to learn more about Manitoba’s mining and petroleum industries and have fun at the same time.”

Every year, more than 3,000 people visit The Forks to participate in Manitoba Rocks!, an annual event that showcases minerals and mining through free and fun activities that can be enjoyed by the whole family, said Chomiak.

Manitoba has been recognized nationally and globally as one of the best places for exploration and mining, the minister said.  For more than a decade, Manitoba has consistently ranked as one of the top 10 jurisdictions worldwide for mineral policies favourable to mining investment.  The province is second in Canada for competitiveness in mining taxes, according to the Pricewaterhouse Coopers 2009 Canadian mining tax report.

For the second consecutive year, Manitoba is the best jurisdiction in Canada to invest in petroleum exploration and development, as rated by oil industry executives in the Fraser Institute’s Global Petroleum Survey 2010.  In the 2010 survey’s worldwide rankings, Manitoba is the only Canadian jurisdiction in the top 10, moving up to eighth position (of 133 oil and gas producing regions) from 21^st place (of 143) in 2009. 

Some of the events taking place at Manitoba Rocks! 2011 include:

• panning for gold with Yukon Dan, a champion gold panner;
• digging for fossils;
• stumping the Rock Doc;
• being a rockhound; 
• checking out equipment used for exploration and extraction of minerals;
• watching the experts cut and polish precious stones;
• testing your mining I.Q; and
• entering draws to win books, games and other prizes.

Manitoba Rocks! will be held at The Forks from 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m., Thursday and Friday, May 26 and 27 and 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday, May 28.

During mining week celebrations, Manitoba’s mining industry and Vale Inc. will co-host the 51^st provincial mine rescue competition in Thompson, May 27 and 28.  The competition showcases the skills of the mining industry’s emergency response teams and the critical role they play in keeping workers safe and the industry strong, said Chomiak.

“We celebrate Mining Week to acknowledge the enterprising companies and dedicated workers that have contributed to Manitoba’s long and rich mining history,” he added.

School or group tours must be pre-booked.  More information is available at www.ManitobaRocks.info or 1-800-223-5215 (toll-free).

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