Canadian and Chilean Clusters Collaborate

The governments of Ontario and Chile's northern Antofagasta Region have signed a memorandum of understanding aimed at strengthening bilateral mining industry cooperation, Ontario Northern Development and Mines Minister Rick Bartolucci announced recently.

"By sharing knowledge and experience and promoting trade exchange our two jurisdictions have an opportunity to take the inside track in the race to find more efficient and effective approaches to modern mining challenges," said Bartolucci.

Bartolucci is in Chile this week to meet with regional government leaders and senior mining company executives, and promote Ontario mining. One of the areas of cooperation to be explored will be the strengthening of mining clusters.

Like Northern Ontario, the Antofagasta Region has rich mineral resources that contribute significantly to the region's economy.

A cluster is a geographic concentration of inter-related industries and institutions that compete but also cooperate. Clusters drive wealth creation in a region, primarily through the export of goods and services.

In 2003, the McGuinty government created the Ontario Mining Industry Cluster Council to bring together industry and organizations to foster a sustainable and rising standard of living for Ontario's mining regions.

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