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INDUSTRY
Economic Profile
The economy of Atikokan is based on forestry, a thermal generating station, government services, retail services, tourism and a mixture of light manufacturing businesses.
The leading employers for residents of Atikokan are Atikokan Forest Products (random length/width lumber and woodchip mill), Fibratech Manufacturing Ltd. (a particle board plant) and the Atikokan Thermal Generating Station. These companies utilize the abundance of natural resources in the area.
The thermal generating station, under the direction of Ontario Power Generation, supplies about one-quarter of the energy demand for Northwestern Ontario. OPG burns low sulfur lignite coal brought in from Western Canada. Ontario Power Generation has been responsible for the immigration of a number of people, as well as providing employment opportunities for many Atikokanites.
There are a number of government services available in Atikokan. The government services provide employment for numerous people who bring a variety of skills and trades to the Atikokan area.
The retail sector is also a major large employment contributor in Atikokan. Atikokan has a number of stores, shops and restaurants catering to the residents of Atikokan, as well as visitors.
Tourism is a major industry in Atikokan. The natural beauty of the area attracts thousands of visitors every year. Much of Atikokan’s retail sector is directed toward providing complete customer service to tourists. There are a number of resorts, lodges, camps and outfitters in the Atikokan area that greatly enhance the tourism industry.
The outdoors and wildlife are a central theme for most of the light manufacturing businesses in Atikokan. Atikokan’s unique wilderness setting has resulted in canoe and paddle manufacturers becoming established in Atikokan. In addition, there are manufacturing businesses that produce Atikokan souvenirs.
Mining
There has been active exploration for gold, base metals and iron ore in the Atikokan area almost continually since the late 1800’s. The area holds strong potential for gold deposits and supports base metal exploration. There is a large low grade iron ore deposit at Bending Lake located 64 km north-west of Atikokan. Development of this ore body seems unlikely for the foreseeable future given the present demand for iron ore.
Presently the following companies (among others) are conducting mineral exploration in the Atikokan area:
Allegheny Mines Ltd
Working in the Sapawe Lake area - gold and base metal exploration
Atikokan Resources Inc.
Working in the Lumby Lake area –silver base metal exploration
Pele Mountan Resources Inc.
Working in the Moss Lake area – gold-silver exploration
Penland Firth
Working in the Sawbill Bay area on Marmion Lake - gold exploration
Forestry
Logging is an important part of the local economy. In Atikokan, both Fibratech Manufacturing Ltd. and Atikokan Forest Products are in full production.
The district is divided into four management units - Sapawe Crown Management Unit, Abitibi Consolidated, Quetico Park Management Unit (which is unlicensed) and the Flanders Management Unit. Aside from Quetico Park, the units are managed on a sustained yield basis.
The wood from these management units goes to three companies: Abitibi Consolidated, Atikokan Forest Products Limited, and Voyageur Panel, with their mills located in Fort Frances, Sapawe, and Barwick respectively. (The sustainable resources for Voyageur Panel are managed by Abitibi Consolidated).
Agriculture
The soil characteristics of Atikokan are too shallow, sandy and rocky to support most farming operations.
Fish Farming and Hatchery
A local entrepreneur operates Snow Lake Fish Farms in the closed Caland Ore pit located five kilometres north of town. The farm raises brook trout, rainbow trout and salmon in the sterile, disease-free and predator-free waters.
To support sport fishing and education, the local Sportsmen’s Conservation Club has built a walleye fish hatchery and education centre. They release hundreds of thousands of fingerlings into local lakes annually.
Of the nearly one hundred and thirty lakes in Quetico Park, five are so deep and infertile that lake trout is the only fish species reported. Sixty-seven lakes are deep enough to contain lake trout and have adequate areas for walleye, northern pike and bass. The remainder of the lakes contains only warm water species.
There are seven species of sport fish, sixteen species of coarse fish and twenty-three species of minnows in the Atikokan area.
Trapping
There are roughly 100 trappers in the Atikokan area. Many of the trappers are Aboriginal from the Lac La Croix First Nation bordering Quetico Park. Very few trap as a full-time job; most consider it seasonal work, balanced by summer guiding.
All trapping of beaver is on a quota basis which is set by the Ministry of Natural Resources District Office. These fur bearers must be sealed or stamped before being sold by the trapper.
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