Miners, geologists, prospectors, and investors have descended on Thunder Bay for the 30th annual Northwest Ontario Prospectors Association (NWOPA) Showcase.
Interested parties from across the northwest use the event to network, show off what they’re working on, and tap into the community.
NWOPA President Percy Clark says the event is about “displaying what the northwest has to offer in terms of mineral prospectivity and mining.”
The mining industry in northwestern Ontario is going through a period of optimism, says Clark.
“We see record gold prices, which really spur investors to invest in the industry. We see a lot of support from local, provincial, and federal governments,” he explains. “We also get a lot of support and optimism from maybe the community that isn’t directly involved in mining.”
The government support Clark speaks of includes new efforts to speed up mining permits and the achievement of significant milestones on the path to developing the Ring of Fire.
The showcase allows companies to show off not just their projects, but also the breadth of mineral wealth that can be found across the northwest.
“It’s not just gold, you know, there’s really everything under the sun here,” Clark says.
NWOPA’s showcase gives companies a chance to show off some of the new tools, gadgets, and technologies that are entering the industry, such as drones.
“If you look back 30 years, the technology has really changed. Everything’s become very digitally driven,” remarks Clark. “Utilizing drone technologies, AI, and just general advancements in technology has made exploration a little bit easier, but also more sustainable and cheaper.”
The 2026 NWOPA Showcase was hosted at the Valhalla Hotel & Conference Centre in Thunder Bay on Wednesday and Thursday.
