Membership

The Ontario Mining Association was granted Letters Patent incorporating it as non-share capital, not-for-profit corporation on February 18, 1920 by the Ontario Legislature. As such, the OMA not only has a little niche of its own in the province's business and economic history but it also is one of the longest-serving trade or industry organizations in Canada.

The original Letters Patent state that one of the OMA's purposes and objectives is "to promote and foster the business of mining, metallurgy and kindred business and to further the interests of owners and operators of mines, reduction plants and kindred works in the province of Ontario and to render such services and assistance to the members of the Corporation and to any of the business enterprises aforesaid as the Corporation shall deem advisable from time to time..."

The Letters Patent wrap up with the clause "and it is herby further ordained and declared that the said Corporation shall be carried on without the purpose of gain for its members, and that any profits or other accretions to the Corporation shall be used in promoting its objectives."

The language has changed over the decades since 1920, but the function and role of the OMA has not. Today, the mission of the OMA remains to improve the global competitiveness of the mining industry in Ontario.

The OMA manages a broad range of responsibilities on behalf of its members. The three major functions of the OMA include, government relations, education and public communications. In this regard, the OMA in serving its members:

• informs government of industry issues and the implications of government policy and legislation for the mining industry;
• notifies member companies of legislative, policy and regulatory matters affecting the mining industry;
• promotes the mining industry to the government and public;
  provides training and education services to its members and the public; and
• provides opportunities for members to exchange information and ideas on matters of common interest and concern.

The Association acts like a bridge between the mining sector and government and strives to help each side understand and better appreciate the motives and actions of the other. For more information on membership contact the Ontario Mining Association.