Ryan Mackie hopes his sons will follow in his footsteps.
As regional manager for a local mining lab, he has watched the mining industry grow in Thunder Bay over the past five years. On Saturday, he had a chance to show his two sons all the industry has to offer as they checked out the first Mining Day at Marina Park.
“Getting them into it,” Mackie said. “It will hopefully help them pursue it later in life.”
While only four and six, his sons were more interested in the bouncy castle and helicopter that were part of more than 40 booths at the event, Mackie said they were also interested in the drills and other equipment on display.
Organizer Bob Chataway said getting the public to see an industry that’s helping the region grow is important because most of the activity happens in the bush.
“We thought we’d bring the show to town so people can see what actually goes on,” he said.
Some companies, like Cliffs Natural Resources, estimate that there could be 100 years of mining in the region. That’s why it’s important to introduce the industry to young people Chataway said. They could start off with a summer job as a student and eventually become a professional in the industry.
“It’s a good career,” he said.
