Timmons owes its rise more than anything to gold, discovered in the nearby Porcupine field at the beginning of the present century. Not only does output exceed that of all but a few gold producing countries in the world, in addition Timmins boasts one of the world's richest silver and zinc mines. The population, which grew
rapidly as a result of the gold strikes, is largely made up of central European, Italian, British, Finnish and Ukrainian immigrants who have helped foster other industries apart from mining and the timber industries in particular.
The two biggest attractions for visitors to Timmons are Mine Tours and the Shania Twain Centre.