Wonderfully Unexpected
Opportunities
Cochrane in open for business. Become a member of the Cochrane Board of Trade, where you can connect with local business owners, capitalise on membership incentives, and contribute to local initiatives.
An industry leader in mining, Cochrane’s Detour Gold is the second largest gold mine with the largest gold reserves in Canada. Following 2015’s successes, 2016 is expected to bring an increase of 12% in gold production, while costs are expected to decline by 15%. This is a result of experienced management and a strong labour force, which employs 600 people in the Cochrane District. Committed to mining responsibly and ensuring the utmost safety of its workforce, Detour Gold is on course to generate future success through further exploration of its vast parcel of land.
Located in the Northern Clay Belt Region (NCBR), Cochrane and district communities serve as principal locations for fertile, cost-effective agriculture. Covering over 16 million acres of unused, generative soil, the 13 communities in Cochrane’s district are an opportunity for agricultural exploration. A study by the Commerce Management Group (2008) revealed that the agricultural potential in this area for private lands reaches up to 385,000 Ha.
The flat topography and easily accessible water sources make crop growing especially productive. Local canola yields, for example, produce 20-30% more than other locations in the province. The NCBR prospective for globally in-demand crops, such as quinoa, offer even more opportunity for those interested in the agriculture industry.
One of Cochrane’s key strengths is its forestry industry. Employing over 200 people combined, both Rockshield Engineered Wood Products (REWP) and Tembec are leaders in hardwood plywood and softwood products, respectively. REWP specializes in keeping their product Canadian at every opportunity: plantation, distribution, production, and delivery. As a progressive biorefinery, Tembec goes beyond traditional wood products to produce green electricity, biogas, and bio-products, as well as cellulose, which solidify their contributions to other major industries such as personal care products, construction, packaged foods, and pharmaceuticals. Both REWP and Tembec strive to reduce their impact on the environment, with efforts surpassing provincial and federal expectations, as well as building relationships with important environmental players like Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society.
Home of the Polar Bear Habitat, a world-class polar bear rehabilitation facility, and the Tim Horton’s Events Center, Cochrane offers both historical and modern attractions and services for its residents and visitors. It’s built on physical beauty, and cultural and recreational amenity. When touring Cochrane, visitors participate in four-season activities such as fishing, kayaking, and swimming in copious local and district lakes; camping in the Boreal Forest; and snowmobiling on 650 kilometres of groomed trails with the longest season around.
Agriculture
Focus on building a long-term, profitable mid-tier company.
World-class gold deposit with 15 million ounces in reserves.
Large property with significant exploration potential.
2015 gold production of 475,000 to 525,000 ounces.
Experienced management team with successful track record of value creations.
Working in a mining-friendly jurisdiction that has low political risk.
Mining
Tourism
Forestry
9