Canadian Ambassador to Mongolia Tours Gemini

Canadian Ambassador to Mongolia, David Sproule paid a much-anticipated visit to Gemini Machine Works recently. During the morning the Ambassador met with Gemini Sr. Management to discuss the current business climate for Canadian companies operating in Mongolia, as well as insights that could help them compete.

While touring the machine works and heavy equipment repair facility to better understand Gemini’s capabilities and operations, Ambassador Sproule spoke with several skilled trades-persons about the different projects on the shop floor.

Canada is one of the top investors in Mongolia, largely in the mining sector. In 2015, Statistics Canada estimated Canadian investment in Mongolia at approximately $6.4 billion.

“The Ambassador’s international experience speaks for itself and we couldn’t have been happier to hear his opinions and have his attention for the morning.”

Mike Walchuk, VP Business & Product Development

Biography – David Sproule

David Sproule began his career as a Foreign Service officer with External Affairs Canada in 1981. Following his first posting as Third/Second Secretary in Singapore, Mr. Sproule held other positions in embassies abroad, including as First Secretary in Bangkok and Counsellor in Washington, D.C.

From 2000 to 2004, Mr. Sproule served as Counsel and Deputy Agent of Canada before the International Court of Justice, in the “Case Concerning the Legality of the Use of Force (Yugoslavia v. Canada)”. He was first appointed as a Head of Mission in 2004, serving as High Commissioner to Bangladesh, then as Ambassador to Afghanistan, followed by Ambassador to Thailand, after which he was appointed as Ambassador to Norway, and more recently as Ambassador to Libya before his current position as Ambassador to Mongolia.

In Ottawa, Mr. Sproule’s assignments have included Deputy Director of the Economic Policy and Summits Division; Deputy Director of the Human Rights Law Section; Director of the Asia Division at the Intelligence Assessments Secretariat of the Privy Council Office; Director of the Oceans and Environmental Law Division; Director of the Human Rights, UN, and Economic Law Division; and, Director General of the Legal Bureau. Mr. Sproule has also led numerous Canadian delegations in negotiation of bilateral and multilateral treaties and other international legal instruments.

Biography excerpt is available here on Global Affairs Canada website.

Gemini Welcomes Canadian Trade Commissioner to Mongolia

Chris Neitsch, Mike Walchuk and Mongolian Trade Commissioner Outside Gemini

Returning from trade business in Quebec and Ontario, Canadian Trade Commissioner to Mongolia, Enkhzorig (Ebe) Erdenebayar, scheduled time to meet with Sr. Management at the invitation of Gemini President Chris Neitsch.

Mongolia holds an abundance of mineral resources, a thriving mining sector, comparable climate and geography as well as similar service and supply requirements as Alberta’s major oilsands players

GM Winston MacLean and Mongolian Trade Commissioner 
General Manager Winston MacLean and Canadian Trade Commissioner to Mongolia Enkhzorig (Ebe) Erdenebayar

“The purpose of the visit was to provide the Trade Commissioner a firsthand experience with the day-to-day operations and processes of a company uniquely suited to the fabrication and repair needs of Mongolia’s burgeoning mining industry,” Gemini’s VP of Business & Product Development Mike Walchuk said.

After touring the machine works, rotating equipment repair center and heavy equipment repair facility the Trade Commissioner attended several operations, planning meetings as well as Gemini’s monthly HSE meeting. Mr. Erdenebayar’s role is to assist Canadian companies by providing advice on marketing strategies and up-to-date market and sector information to help smooth the path for Canadian companies looking to do business in Mongolia.

Chris Neitsch, who recently returned from Mongolia himself said, “Mongolia holds an abundance of mineral resources, a thriving mining sector, comparable climate and geography as well as similar service and supply requirements as Alberta’s major oilsands players. There are excellent JV opportunities for companies that have the right capabilities, experience and ambition to move in that direction.”

Gemini operates two 45,000 sq. ft. facilities specializing in large OD and production machining, rotating and heavy equipment repair, structural fabrication and pressure piping with joint venture partnerships in Columbia, Poland, China, and Mongolia.