This article was provided by the Ontario Mining Association (OMA), an organization that was established in 1920 to represent the mining industry of the province.
Mining was given top billing as a builder of Ontario’s future prosperity in the throne speech opening the new session of the provincial legislature yesterday. Ontario Mining Association President Chris Hodgson attended the throne speech as an invited guest of Premier Dalton McGuinty. “It is positive to see mining recognized in this important address as a contributor to solving Ontario’s economic challenges,” said Mr. Hodgson.
In introducing the launch of the five year “Open Ontario Plan” for economic growth and development, the speech, delivered by Lieutenant Governor David Onley, recognized the important role of mining. “Your government will ensure the North benefits from its Open Ontario Plan,” he said.
“In 2008, Northern Ontario became home to our first diamond mine. Your government will build on that success – particularly in the region know as the Ring of Fire. It is said to contain one of the largest chromite deposits in the world – a key ingredient in stainless steel.”
“There is no substitute for chromite. There is no North American producer of chromite. It is the most promising mining opportunity in Canada in a century,” he said. “Your government is fully committed to working with Northerners, Aboriginal communities and mining partners to fully realize the Ring of Fire’s potential. Together, we will create Ontario jobs and support Northern families as we continue to protect 50% of the northern boreal forest.”
Two of the newer members of the OMA are directly involved in exploration and development activities in the Ring of Fire area in the James Bay lowlands. Cliffs Natural Resources is an international mining and resource company, which started business in 1850. KWG Resources is a mineral development company focusing on the chromite deposit. It has created Canada Chrome Corporation as a wholly owned subsidiary to be the financing and developing arm.
Significant infrastructure development will be needed to bring this rich mineral area into development for the benefit of all Ontarians. Cliffs Resources and KWG Resources will be making a presentation on the Ring of Fire at the OMA conference – The future of mining in Ontario: Is it golden? – which is being held in North Bay June 13 to 15, 2010.
Ontario Lieutenant Governor David Onley reminded the Legislature of a bit of early history – “We carved our province out of a harsh northern land. Our people endured and they thrived. They began to mine the land and harvest the forests.”
The provincial recognition is not alone in highlighting mining in throne speeches. The recent federal throne speech proclaimed Ottawa’s commitment “to support responsible development of Canada’s energy and mineral resources by untangling the daunting maze of regulations that needlessly complicates project approvals, replacing it with simpler, clearer processes that offer improved environmental protection and greater certainty to industry.”