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Aboriginal and Inuit Mining and Oil/Gas

Noront pushing east-west road corridor again – by Shawn Bell (Wawatay News – June 22, 2013)

http://www.wawataynews.ca/

Following news that Cliffs has suspended its environmental assessment for its Ring of Fire chromite mine, Noront announced that it is once again looking at the east-west road corridor into the mining development. The company also stated that its plans for development in the Ring of Fire have not changed in light of Cliffs’ announcement.

“In addition to supporting a North-South access route, Noront has always supported an East-West alternative approach for the development of the Ring of Fire that balances First Nations objectives, the environment and job growth,” said Paul Parisotto, Noront’s chairman and interim CEO in a press release.

“We’re confident this alternative will be attractive to each level of government, the local communities and the people who will benefit from this sensible approach to stimulating development in the Ring of Fire,” Parisotto added.

The east-west corridor was originally proposed by Noront as a transportation corridor linking the Ring of Fire to the existing highway system at Pickle Lake. A similar route was proposed by four Matawa communities – Neskantaga, Nibinamik, Eabametoong and Webequie – as a way to connect their communities to the southern highway grid through the development.

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Ring of Fire delay not a bad thing – by Shawn Bell (Wawatay News – June 22, 2013)

http://www.wawataynews.ca/

There has been a lot of teeth gnashing and finger pointing since Cliffs announced it put its Ring of Fire mine environmental assessment on hold. Opposition parties have put the blame on the provincial government. And First Nations, specifically Matawa First Nations, were implicated for holding up the process with a judicial review.

Following the announcement, it was like the sky was falling. Ontario’s once bright mining future was being painted with dark clouds overhead.

But there’s no reason to cry. A delay in Cliffs’ project is not the end of the world. It may actually be the best-case scenario.

First Nations have long argued that they are not ready for the Ring of Fire. More time is needed to prepare the communities, train members for the jobs that will become available and ensure all the necessary agreements with governments and companies are in place. And while governments and industry acknowledged those needs, work seemed to continue unabated while discussions with First Nations were ongoing.

During a media tour in 2012, the chiefs of both Webequie and Marten Falls – two communities that in many ways are at the forefront of working with governments and industry – argued that the Ring of Fire was coming too fast.

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Higher expectations [for Ring of Fire] – by Jeff Labine (tbnewswatch.com – June 21, 2013)

http://www.tbnewswatch.com/

Ontario has hired a secretariat for the lead negotiator of the Ring of Fire, even though the province still doesn’t actually have a lead negotiator.

Christine Kaszycki took on the job of being province’s Ring of Fire secretariat back in 2010. Since then, Matawa First Nation engaged former MP Bob Rae to act as a mediator with the province during the negotiations.

Rae announced that he would be retiring from politics in order to focus on his responsibilities as Matawa’s Ring of Fire negotiator.

MPP Bill Mauro (Lib. Thunder Bay – Atikokan) said Rae stepping down has put more pressure on the province to find its lead negotiator. “It certainly heightened expectations,” he said. “There’s a commitment from the province that we appoint someone as well who can have a similar role.”

Mauro said the negotiator wouldn’t just work with Matawa, but with all areas impacted by the Ring of Fire development. That includes the private interests. While the secretariat does negotiate, Mauro said there are high expectations for the province to do more and to have more focused approached.

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Challenges ahead [Thunder Bay mining forum] – by Jeff Labine (tbnewswatch.com – June 20, 2013)

http://www.tbnewswatch.com/

Mike Metatawabin says he’s disappointed that there wasn’t more First Nation representation at this year’s provincial mining conference.

Metatawabin, the president of Five Nations Energy Inc., joined about 50 other participants at the third annual Ontario Mining Forum at the Valhalla Inn. The two-day mining forum, which started Thursday, promised keynote speakers such as Ontario’s Ring of Fire Secretariat Christine Kaszycki but did not deliver.

Instead, the forum heard from various speakers including politicians and the city’s Community Economic Development Commission on the mining industry in the region.

The cost to attend the event averaged out to be about $2,000 per person. Some participants speculated that that price kept more people, including First Nation officials, from attending. With major projects like the Ring of Fire being discussed, Metatawabin believes it’s crucial First Nation organizations and chiefs attend these conferences.

“During the course of these conferences that I’ve attended, these presentations bring a lot of hope and a lot of inspiration to what we need in the North,” he said. “I think our leadership needs to hear this and be a part of these conferences. We need to sit down, set aside the politics and maybe engage our business people. There’s so much potential here.”

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Mining’s relationship with First Nations has matured – by Zoe Younger (Vancoucer Sun – June 20, 2013)

http://www.vancouversun.com/index.html

Opinion: We see aboriginal people choosing the mining industry and building careers with us

Zoe Younger is vice-president, corporate affairs at the Mining Association of B.C.

As we celebrate National Aboriginal Day across Canada, it is timely to reflect on the evolving relationships between the mining industry and First Nations, in particular with respect to employment in the industry.

With a long history of working together, it is interesting to note how the partnerships between our industry and First Nations have matured, and the mutual respect for each other has deepened. Parallel to the evolving case law that has dictated changes in the regulatory process, and has better defined the relationships between the Crown and First Nations, the mining industry and aboriginal leaders across Canada have been reshaping their own relationships not based on what they have to do, but based on common interests, shared goals and values, and most importantly, communication grounded in mutual recognition and respect.

Aboriginal communities across B.C. have high levels of unemployment, and many of these communities are located in parts of the province that are economically depressed. In particular, rural and remote communities that were once dependent on a thriving forestry sector faced hardships as that industry waned.

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Ontario Mining Minister Michael Gravelle’s “Insight Mining Conference” Speech (Thunder Bay – June 20, 2013)

Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne and Northern Development and Mines Minister Michael Gravelle at the March PDAC 2013

CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY

Thank you, Mike, for your kind introduction. I would like to begin by commending the organizers for putting together this third annual conference promoting mineral development in Ontario.

Conferences like this provide a tremendous opportunity to exchange ideas on how to better drive mineral development across our great province.

As both the Minister of Northern Development and Mines and a passionate northerner, my top priority continues to be promoting a strong northern Ontario economy and helping to develop vibrant mining and mining supply & services sectors across the province.

With a good part of this conference proceedings focused on the Ring of Fire, I would like to take the opportunity today to comment on the evolution of this historic undertaking.

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First Nations delighted to have Bob Rae negotiating for them on mining development (Vancouver Sun – June 19, 2013)

http://www.vancouversun.com/index.html

The negotiating power of northern Ontario’s First Nations just got a huge boost. When former interim Liberal leader Bob Rae announced that he was resigning as a member of Parliament, he said it was in order to focus on his other job: chief negotiator for the Matawa First Nations communities as they lock swords with the Ontario government over resource development on lands traditionally used by aboriginal people.

“It’s good news for us,” said Allan Towegishig, chief of the Long Lake #58 First Nation. “If he’s going to be a part-time parliamentarian he’ll have lots of work over there and with him resigning he’ll have more time to focus on our issues.”

Rae officially took the new position in May and has spent the last few weeks juggling both jobs. But in an official statement released Wednesday, he said “the full scope of the negotiator’s job is no longer compatible” with his MP responsibilities.

With a single job now as a negotiator, Rae represents nine First Nation groups in discussions with the Ontario government about ongoing mineral development in the resource-rich area known as the “Ring of Fire,” about 500 kilometres north of Thunder Bay. Two proposed projects – the Black Thor chromite mine being undertaken by Cliffs Natural Resources, and the Eagle’s Nest nickel and copper mine being undertaken by Noront resources – are in the early stages of development. That means now is the time for First Nations groups to try to influence how the projects proceed.

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Editorial: Dousing the Ring of Fire – by John Cumming (Northern Miner – June 19, 2013)

The Northern Miner, first published in 1915, during the Cobalt Silver Rush, is considered Canada’s leading authority on the mining industry. Editor John Cumming MSc (Geol) is one of the country’s most well respected mining journalists. jcumming@northernminer.com

In these times of economic and political turmoil, boring has become the new exciting.

One of the surprises of the year that in some ways isn’t such a big shocker is Cliffs Natural Resources’ announcement this past week that it is suspending work at its $3.3-billion Black Thor chromite project in northern Ontario’s Ring of Fire camp.

The Cleveland-based iron ore and met-coal giant says it’s suspending environmental assessment (EA) activities for the project “due to delays related to the environmental assessment process, land surface rights and negotiations with the Province of Ontario.”

Cliffs goes out of its way to point out that it believes support for the project is somewhat lacking in the province, stating that “certain critical elements of the project’s future are not solely within our control and require the active support and participation by other interested parties.”

The sticking points the company lists are: delayed approval of the terms of reference for the provincial EA process; uncertainty regarding the federal EA process due to a judicial challenge by impacted First Nations; unresolved surface rights issues following a February 2013 Mining and Lands Commissioner hearing; and unfinished agreements with the Ontario government.

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Bob Rae quits as MP in ‘very emotional’ decision [Ring of Fire First Nations negotiator] – CBC News Sudbury (June 19, 2013)

http://www.cbc.ca/sudbury/

The former interim Liberal leader says he wants to devote his time to First Nations issues

Bob Rae, who served as interim Liberal leader following the party’s disastrous showing in the 2011 election, is stepping down as an MP, CBC News has learned.

Rae told his Liberal colleagues of his decision during Wednesday’s party caucus meeting, an announcement that was met with tears and applause, according to sources.

Rae recently accepted the role of chief negotiator for First Nations in talks with the Ontario government about development of the Ring of Fire, and is to tour the nine Matawa communities in the mining and resource-rich area of Northern Ontario this summer. Rae is a former NDP premier of the province.

At a news conference with Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau in the foyer of the House of Commons, Rae said that work as a lawyer and mediator was taking more and more of his time and he felt he needed to focus on his role with the First Nations. He didn’t say when his resignation would be effective.

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Deleted emails could affect [Solid Gold] mining suit – by Sebastien Perth (Sudbury Star – June 19, 2013)

The Sudbury Star is the City of Greater Sudbury’s daily newspaper.

Recent revelations the provincial government deleted emails related to gas plant cancellations in southern Ontario have one company worried their $1 million lawsuit against the province could be affected by similar deleted emails.

Solid Gold Resources Corp. filed a lawsuit in the Ontario Superior Court of Justice in January claiming the province “encouraged and promoted” a conflict with a Northern Ontario First Nation, slowing down the gold mine project.

Former company president Darryl Stretch sent an open letter to the province and OPP commissioner Chris Lewis. Stretch writes in his letter during the litigation process, Solid Gold Resources Corp. is entitled to documentary evidence such as emails from former premier Dalton McGuinty, current Premier Kathleen Wynne and ministry staff that discuss the company.

“In view of the startling revelation, which references the recent destruction or theft of Ontario’s records, we seek assurances none of the documents related to Solid Gold Resources Corp. have been destroyed or stolen. May we please have your assurance the documents will remain available upon formal request,” Stretch writes.

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Delay may cause fundamental rethinking [Ring of Fire] – by John R. Hunt (Sudbury Star – June 19, 2013)

The Sudbury Star is the City of Greater Sudbury’s daily newspaper.

The mine supply business is an important segment of the Northern Ontario economy. The news that Cliffs Natural Resources has temporarily halted its environmental assessment work in the Ring of Fire will not spread any joy.

Some analysts say Cliffs is just playing a card in a complicated poker game. The environmental assessment work is being done in compliance with both federal and provincial assessment acts. The company may be trying to cut through some of the tangled red tape that government departments inevitably create.

According to its website, Cliffs was hoping to get into production by 2016, which means that an incredible amount of work must be done within a comparatively short time.

Nipissing MPP Vic Fedeli pointed out recently other mining companies are certainly interested in the Ring of Fire region, so if Cliffs does not do something, others will.

Cliffs and the provincial government must come to an agreement with one or more First Nations in the region who may not be very pleased with the prospect of losing some of their traditional hunting grounds.

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Which Way to Ring of Fire? As Cliffs stands down, Noront and KWG propose alternate transport routes – by Stockhouse.com (June 14, 2013)

http://www.stockhouse.com/

Which Way to Ring of Fire? As Cliffs stands down, Noront and KWG propose alternate transport routes

It’s a suspension, not a cancellation. Yet the June 12 announcement from Cliffs Natural Resources dumped cold water all over Ontario’s Ring of Fire. By putting the region’s largest project on hold, the company has also shelved plans for an all-weather road to the south, a vital link some other companies were counting on to develop the McFaulds Lake area about 540 kilometres northeast of Thunder Bay. But Noront Resources [V.NOT] quickly responded that its own projects are “still good to go” thanks to a proposed east-west road. Not to be outdone, KWG Resources [V.KWG] pursues the feasibility of north-south rail.

Seemingly a Plan B, Noront’s east-west corridor was actually the company’s first idea. It would link the Eagle’s Nest project to Highway 808, roughly 230 kilometres southwest. But in May 2012, the Ontario government conditionally agreed to help finance the north-south route, part of Cliffs’ $3.3-billion proposal to build the Black Thor mine with road access to a new processing facility near Sudbury. On that basis, Noront used the north-south route in the base case for the September 2012 Eagle’s Nest feasibility study. Noront retained the east-west route as back-up.

Prudently, it now seems. Explaining the suspension of what would have been North America’s first major chromite mine, Cliffs’ senior vice-president of global ferroalloys Bill Boor said, “Certain critical elements of the project’s future are not solely within our control and require the active support and participation by other interested parties such as government agencies and impacted first nation communities.”

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Cliffs puts Ring of Fire project on hold – by Shawn Bell (Wawatay News – June 13, 2013)

http://wawataynews.ca/

Citing a list of holdups with its proposed Ring of Fire chromite project, Cliffs Natural Resources announced on June 12 it has suspended its environmental assessment (EA) for the $3.3 billion mine project.

Bill Boor, Cliffs senior vice president, told Wawatay News that the uncertainty over the federal EA process – given Matawa First Nations’ ongoing legal case calling for a Joint Review Panel assessment – played a significant role in Cliffs decision to halt the project.

“Cliffs wants to work with First Nations on how we’ll cooperatively make sure we have an assessment that works for all of us, so we can assess this project in the best possible way,” Boor said. “We haven’t reached an agreement on that, and one of the issues is the judicial review.”

Boor emphasized that the uncertainty over the federal EA process was only one reason Cliffs decided to temporarily suspend work on the project. He noted that Ontario has still not approved Cliffs’ terms of reference for the provincial EA, and that a number of agreements with the provincial government remain unfinished.

Cliffs’ has also not been granted access to land it requires for an all-weather road to the mine site, another issue that has stalled the project. A land dispute between Cliffs and KWG Resources is currently awaiting ruling from Ontario’s mining commissioner.

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Cliffs should stop pointing fingers, check its corporate ego before resuming work on Ring of Fire – by Ramsey Hart (MiningWatch Canada – June 14, 2013)

http://www.miningwatch.ca/

On Wednesday, US mining company Cliffs Natural Resources announced that it was ceasing work on the environmental assessment process for its high profile chromite project in the area of northern Ontario dubbed the “Ring of Fire”.

Cliffs’ announcement poutedly pointed the finger at the province for not approving the terms of reference the company drafted for its environmental assessment and for not coming to unspecified agreements “critical to the projects economic viability”, i.e. hydro and infrastructure subsidies. The blame was shared with First Nations who are pursuing a legal challenge to the project’s federal environmental assessment and the provincial Mining Land Commissioner for not issuing a decision over a land rights dispute with fellow would-be Ring of Fire mining company KWG.

While the announcement got a fair bit of press including coverage by the Globe and Mail, Financial Post, Star, CBC and Sudbury Star none of the news reports that I’ve seen pointed to Cliffs’ own role in creating these delays.

Back when the project was entering into the environmental review process, Cliffs doggedly refused to support the reasonable and routine call (for a project of this size and complexity) of First Nations and NGOs (MiningWatch included) for a joint review panel assessment process.

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B.C. Liberals accused of breaking election promise over Klappan open-pit coal mine – by Larry Pynn (Vancouver Sun – June 10, 2013)

http://www.vancouversun.com/index.html

Tahltan First Nation objects to environmental ‘fast-tracking’ of project

The B.C. Liberals risk breaking an important election promise by “fast-tracking” an environmental assessment of an open-pit coal mine in the so-called Sacred Headwaters of the Klappan in northwest B.C., Tahltan First Nation charged Friday.

“There has been opposition and resistance by our people,” said Tahltan Central Council president Annita McPhee said in an interview.

“To have an open-pit coal mine right in the headwaters … our people are opposed to development there. We want to see long-term protection that excludes having a coal mine in that area.”

The planned Arctos Anthracite Project would have a footprint of about 4,000 hectares, not including a railway line, and would produce an estimated three million tonnes per year of anthracite coal over the mine’s 25-year life span. Anthracite coal has a high carbon content and burns with a clean flame. It is primarily used in steel and metal making.

The project is a joint venture of Fortune Coal Ltd. and POSCO Klappan Coal Ltd., whose parent company is a South Korean steel giant.

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