sept.3, 2019 there was the news from North Bay of a company called NorGalv, who will be building a state of the art hot dip steel galvanizing plant..the parent of this company is based in ....South Africa

And today..there is this announcement of the partnering between Consbec and South African BME

https://www.northernontariobusiness.com/industry-news/mining/sudbury-based-blasting-company-partnering-with-south-africas-bme-1686945

Consbec and BME are partnering to provide underground blasting services to the mining industry.

Consbec, the largest surface drilling and blasting contractor in the country, is headquartered in the bedroom community of Val Caron, located just outside of Sudbury.

The joint venture, called BME Mining Canada Inc., will be a manufacturing and services company in the surface and underground mining market.

In a Sept. 11 press release, both partners expressed their hope that the initiative will create an opportunity for growth and expansion throughout North America, beginning in Northern Ontario.

BME Mining Canada will leverage Consbec's experience and presence throughout the country. Consbec is the only private Canadian company that manufactures and transports bulk explosives.

Through the joint venture, the companies plan to adopt a phased approach, initially based on sales efforts in the region. Depending on the needs of customers, they also plan to expand to capital investment and services in the future.

A key capability of BME Mining Canada will be drill and blast services at mine sites. The joint venture will allow Consbec to expand its base into the underground mining segment.

“A key highlight of the joint venture is the synergy between the partners, and represents the entry of a new service provider into an area which will benefit from a fresh approach to address client needs based on a proven international track record,” commented BME CEO Joe Keenan in the press release.

“We believe that BME's underground expertise and technology contribution to the partnership will be significant – providing customers with leading edge tools and services for quality blasts. Consbec were looking to extend its offering and to expand into underground in Canada so the synergy makes complete sense.”

Future introduction of activities like non-electric assembly and the manufacturing of bulk emulsion and underground equipment to Canada will mean local job creation in the region which aligns with Omnia Group's strategy to seek growth in new markets through acquisitions and partnerships.

“The phased approach adopted in this case ensures that BME has the platforms to solidify its expansion in North American and grow as a global player,” said CEO of Omnia Group, Seelan Gobalsamy.

BME is one of the biggest suppliers of emulsion explosives to Southern Africa's opencast mining sector and a pioneer in electronic detonation systems. While Africa will remain the core focus area for BME's operations, the company has set its sights on several international markets for expansion including Canada, Australia, and the western coast of South America.

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Maybe they were "inspired" by Thyssen Mining, who set up shop in Sudbury Oct.2017?

https://www.northernontariobusiness.com/regional-news/sudbury/thyssen-mining-sets-up-shop-in-sudbury-826531

Back in October 2017, one of the world's oldest mining companies set up an office in Sudbury. Thyssen Mining's goal was simple: the company needed a base of operations, and with development of the Ring of Fire chromite deposit imminent, they wanted that base to be in a mining hub.

Greater Sudbury seemed the natural choice.

"There's a lot more action going on (at the Ring of Fire) than most people think,” said Tom Reid, who leads Thyssen's local office.

“We have been having meetings — I can't get into details — but things are moving much better there than people think. I'm optimistic that a mine will go into construction there no later than 2020. It is still a lot slower than what everybody wants. However, some people thought it was never going to go."

"That's part of the reason for setting up the office here and building a local relationship here, because this will be the base of operations for eastern Canada well in advance of anything," said Reg Ryan, Thyssen's business development officer.