Ontario to work with First Nations to unlock Ring of Fire – by Jean Lian (Northern Miner – September 2019)

https://www.northernminer.com/

Rick Gregford, Minister of Energy, Northern Development and Mines, and Minister of Indigenous Affairs, announced in August that the province would work directly with First Nation communities to develop infrastructure that unlocks the mineral-rich region in northern Ontario.

Establishing bilateral agreements with individual First Nation communities to replace the previous Liberal government’s collective-negotiations approach under a 2014 framework agreement with nine Matawa First Nation communities will expedite the building of a north–south corridor to the Ring of Fire.

Noront Resources (TSXV: NOT) — which says it holds 85% of all claims staked in the Ring of Fire — and Marten Falls First Nation released a statement in late August applauding the provincial government’s move.

“We are encouraged by the Ontario government’s support and commitment to develop, on an expedited basis, the Ring of Fire mineral deposits and associated infrastructure, which will be shared between community and industry use,” the joint statement said.

Marten Falls First Nation is leading an environmental assessment for an all-season access road along the north–south corridor that will connect the community to Ontario’s provincial highway network in the south.

For the rest of this article: https://www.northernminer.com/news/ontario-to-work-with-first-nations-to-unlock-ring-of-fire/1003809733/