Yellowknife (Jun 14/06) - Mining has been the heart of Yellowknife since the 1930s and this past week residents joined with industry representatives to fete the city's biggest economic engine.

Ekati mine president and chief operating officer Sean Brennan, left, Ida LeBlanc and Wayne LeBlanc flip burgers at the annual Miner's Picnic in Yellowknife over the weekend. - David Ryan/NNSL photo

Volunteers handed out hot dogs and hamburgers during the Miner's Picnic - the highlight of Mining Week festivities - as those involved in the industry shared their thoughts on the future and how Yellowknife can continue to prosper along with the sector.

Mike Vaydik, general manager of the NWT/Nunavut Chamber of Mines, said renewed interest in base metals will continue to drive mining success.

"Base metals like zinc, nickel and copper have increased substantially in the last three years."

Vaydik is also confident that uranium will be a fixture in the near future.

"There is potential for clean, quality energy," he said.

One challenge facing Yellowknife is the ability to offer firms a supply of skilled workers.

In order to attract and retain skilled professionals, Yellowknife needs to be able to offer affordable housing, said Sean Brennan, president and chief operating officer of BHP Billiton's Ekati mine.

Another challenge mining and exploration companies are hoping to see some relief from in the future is the delays caused by regulatory and permitting procedures in the NWT, said Brennan.

"We need a streamlined process to make it clear what ground rules there are and make standards easier," said Brennan.

More diamond exploration is likely in the future, he said, adding any developments will likely resemble Tahera's Jericho mine more so than Diavik or Ekati.

"The future diamond mines will be smaller and tougher to mine," he said.

Keeping as many companies in the field and actively hunting new deposits is key to the city's future said Tom Hoefer, external and internal affairs with Diavik.

"We need to keep the pressure on exploration work," he said.

Yellowknife's economy relies heavily on companies continuing to invest in the North, said Hoefer.