[3] Groups such as the Ojibwe and Odawa used the Vermilion River as a transportation corridor, living in seasonal camps along its length and crossing troublesome sections, like falls and rapids, with portages.

[4] At the same time, small mining operations had sprung up around the Sudbury area, facilitated by rapid technological changes, relative ease of extraction, and the logistical advantages created by the railway.

In 1900, Mond opened the Victoria Mine in Denison Township, which initially operated using cordwood boilers to produce steam power at the smelter.

[6] As a fuel source, however, wood was a quickly-depleting resource in the area due to extensive deforestation caused by logging, wood-burning, and clearance for new settlements.

[2] By the end of the year, the generating station was connected to the Victoria Mine, which switched to electric power, though not soon enough to save the lives of two workers who had died in 1908 when a steam boiler exploded.

The 60 Hz power from the former Lorne plants was being supplied to the Garson Mine, Lawson quarry, and the smelters at Creighton, Copper Cliff, and Coniston.