Aboriginal and Inuit Mining and Oil/Gas – Page 226

[Yukon] Gold rush – by Jason Unrau (National Post – May 12, 2012)

May 12, 2012

The National Post is Canada’s second largest national paper.

TheYukon mining boom shows no signs of slowing,but environmentalists fear forthe safety of the Peel watershed

At the turn of the 19th century it played host to the famed Klondike Gold Rush that drew thousands to the rugged wilderness in search of riches, but now the Yukon entertains a newer, more modern kind of mining rush.

For the past two years, mineral exploration here has been through the roof, nearly half-a-billion dollars spent searching for the next motherlode of gold, silver, copper, zinc, molybdenum or tungsten and nearly 200,000 claims staked.

“From July [2011] I flew 10 months worth of hard staking and we probably singlehandedly staked 25 to 30,000 claims,” said Ben Drury, a pilot with Horizon Helicopters, one of the many charter services in the Yukon that benefited from the staking craze.

First Nation leaders threaten to pull support for Ring of Fire – by Shawn Bell (Wawatay News – May 11, 2012)

May 12, 2012

http://www.wawataynews.ca/

First Nation leaders are threatening to pull support for mining in the Ring of Fire, after Cliffs Resources’ announced it plans to locate its chromite processing plant in Sudbury.

Cliffs announced on May 9 that the mining company will go ahead with the $3.3 billion Ring of Fire project, which includes the chromite mine east of Webequie, a transportation route running south from the mine site to connect to highway 17 near Aroland, and a ferrochrome processing plant in Sudbury.

The decision goes against the wishes of First Nations and municipal leaders in northwestern Ontario, who wanted to see the processing plant located in Greenstone.

“It’s obvious the province and Cliffs haven’t been listening to First Nations, and what their concerns and their aspirations are,” said Nishnawbe Aski Nation Deputy Grand Chief Terry Waboose. “Today is a classic example of development going ahead without adequate consultation, input and consent from our First Nations.”

Ring of Fire opportunities still available, business and political leaders say – by Jamie Smith (tbnewswatch.com – May 10, 2012)

May 11, 2012

http://www.tbnewswatch.com/

Regional business and political leaders continue to be disappointed by Cliffs’ decision to setup a processor in Sudbury, but say they look forward to other opportunities area mining could bring.

Thunder Bay Chamber of Commerce president Harold Wilson said he shared a lot of the same concerns that First Nation and municipal leaders had Wednesday when Cliffs announced it would build a $1.8 billion ferrochrome processor near Sudbury.

He was also disappointed that the province made no announcements to coincide with the company’s $3.3 billion announcement that would also include an all-weather road north of Nakina.

“Show us where that’s going to be. How is that going to link up to First Nations communities that can greatly benefit from that? How much are they (Ontario) investing into it and how can we turn that into other economic opportunities?” Wilson said.

[Northern Ontario] Chromite mine talks could ‘devolve into conflict’ – by CBC Radio Thunder Bay (CBC.ca – May 10, 2012)

May 11, 2012

http://www.cbc.ca/thunderbay/

First Nations involvment in Ring of Fire project will come after province and First Nations talk, Kathleen Wynne says

Ontario’s Minister of Aboriginal Affairs is asking First Nations near the Ring of Fire to be patient. First Nations leaders are upset Cliffs is locating its chromite smelter — and 450 jobs — in Sudbury, rather than in northwestern Ontario.

Kathleen Wynne said the mining project will benefit aboriginal communities, but she doesn’t have the details.

“Those have not been finalized,” she said. “We were not announcing those today because we couldn’t. There’s no way we could announce those today because we haven’t had the conversation with you.”

Wynne said she hopes First Nations and the province can sit down and have meaningful discussions, and not end up with a conflict.

Time for [First Nation Ring of Fire] action? – by Jamie Smith (tbnewswatch.com – May 10, 2012)

May 11, 2012

http://www.tbnewswatch.com/

Raymond Ferris thinks it might soon be time for action over the Ring of Fire. As Matawa’s Ring of Fire co-ordinator, Ferris said he was disappointed but not surprised by Cliffs Natural Resources’ decision to build a $1.8 billion ferrochrome processor near Sudbury instead of somewhere in Northwestern Ontario.

It’s the latest example of governments and industry moving ahead with initiatives without taking any First Nations recommendations into consideration he said.

“Whether the smelter was a good thing or not is something that we wanted to conduct as a study for ourselves so that our membership can be well informed then they can make a decision on their own,” Ferris said Thursday afternoon. “We never had that opportunity.”

Ferris said a smelter in the region could have had countless economic spinoffs for First Nations communities if they were tied to the grid. Communities around Lake Nipigon have everything from solar to wind projects that are just waiting to be tied to the hydro grid, something that could have happened with the arrival of the processor.

Cliffs confident in its decision – by Sudbury Northern Life Staff (Sudbury Northern Life – May 10, 2012)

May 11, 2012

This article came from Northern Life, Sudbury’s biweekly newspaper.

Representatives visit Sudbury

There were a lot of complicated factors, but Cliffs Natural Resources is confident that Sudbury is the right spot to build its ferrochrome smelter, the company’s president and CEO said.

Hot on the heels of its announcement on May 9, Cliffs representatives, including Joseph Carrabba, braved a thunderstorm en route from Toronto to Sudbury to pay a visit to the Nickel Capital.

It was a whirlwind tour, and while Cliffs representatives weren’t in town for very long, they “felt it most appropriate and respectful to be in the community and introduce ourselves to the mayor and everyone else who has been so helpful in the process just so people will be able to put a face to the name,” Carrabba said.

Cliffs received approval May 8 from its board to move into the feasibility stage. This move will see the eventual construction of a $1.8-billion ferrochrome processing plant north of Capreol, as well further work on the development of Cliffs’ Black Thor chromite deposit, an open-pit operation 540 kilometres northeast of Thunder Bay that will eventually lead into an underground operation once it becomes necessary to extract the ore from greater depths.

[Northern Ontario] Chromite mine may carry hidden costs, critics charge – by Tanya Talaga (Toronto Star – May 11, 2012)

May 11, 2012

The Toronto Star, has the largest circulation in Canada. The paper has an enormous impact on federal and Ontario politics as well as shaping public opinion.

Questions are being raised about how much taxpayers are on the hook for as a U.S. mining giant attempts to develop of an ecologically sensitive area in northern Ontario.

The Ontario government announced Wednesday it had reached an initial agreement with Cliffs Natural Resources Inc. to develop a chromite mine at the remote Ring of Fire region.

Cliffs is expected to invest $3.3 billion into building a mine, nearly 500 kilometres northeast of Thunder Bay, a smelter in the Sudbury area and a transportation corridor to move the ore between the two facilities.

Sources tell the Star the Liberal government is negotiating a deal on electricity subsidies in order to keep the smelter in the province. Also on the table is said to be construction of a transportation corridor to move the chromite south. On Thursday, Northern Development Minister Rick Bartolucci refused to talk about any possible subsidy.

Honourable Rick Bartolucci, Minister of Northern Development and Mines – Cliffs Sudbury Ferrochrome Smelter Announcement (Sudbury – March 9, 2012)

May 11, 2012

Today it is my pleasure to share news with you that is exciting and historic in nature… Ontario is blessed with an abundance of natural resources at a time when the world is developing faster than ever, and demanding these resources.

The increasing demand is why mining is experiencing unprecedented growth. It is driving economies and progress around the world. We must take advantage of the incredible opportunity for jobs and prosperity that this sector presents for northern Ontario – including our First Nations communities, and our province as a whole.

And today, I’m happy to say that this boom is again being demonstrated right here in Sudbury, and across the north.

Ring of Fire – Chromite

The Ring of Fire, located over 500 km North of Thunder Bay, is the only substantial deposit of chromite in North America… In fact, it is estimated that it will yield an estimated 2.3 million tonnes of chromite per year over a 30-year mine life.

What makes this massive discovery of chromite exciting is that it is a key component in the manufacture of stainless steel…

…A material needed around the world, and used in basically most things we use in the course of our day to day lives.

NDP wants answers on Cliffs – by Star Staff (Sudbury Star – May 11, 2012)

May 11, 2012

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

Cliffs Natural Resources’ $3.3- billion investment in Northern Ontario is good news, Ontario NDP leader Andrea Horwath says, but the province should demand more.

The massive mine, transportation network and ferrochrome smelter designed to take ore from the Ring of Fire in northwestern Ontario and process it in Sudbury was announced by Cliffs on Wednesday. Those announcements, however, left the NDP with more questions than answers, Horwath said.

At Queen’s Park on Thursday, Horwath released details of Cliffs’ testimony before a federal Standing Committee on Natural Resources in which Cliffs officials said up to 40% of the ore produced in Ontario might be shipped out of province for processing.

While the company is committing to building a $1.8-billion smelter at a brownfield site just north of Capreol, the NDP want to know how much more investment in the North would be possible if all the ore it generates is processed here.

[Northwestern Ontario should] Make the most of mine project – Thunder Bay Chronicle-Journal Editorial (May 10, 2012)

May 10, 2012

The Thunder Bay Chronicle-Journal is the daily newspaper of Northwestern Ontario. This commentary came from the Chronicle-Journal’s Letters to the Editor section.

IT is unfortunate that the biggest economic news to hit Northern Ontario in years is being met with opposition and animosity. Disappointment at some aspects of the biggest of the Ring of Fire mining proposals is understandable — you can’t always get what you want. But making the most of what they can get is what municipal and First Nations leaders must now do on behalf of their people. Complaining at this point achieves nothing.

Cliffs Natural Resources surprised no one Wednesday by picking Sudbury as the site for its $1.8-billion ferrochrome smelter, the jewel in a mining development that will have widespread benefits throughout the region. Those who seize the initiative and hold on tight will benefit most, while reluctant parties will get what’s left.

The best-case scenario for the Northwest would have been to have the whole $2.75-billion shebang — the mine, the transportation corridor and the smelter (unless, of course, you don’t relish the environmental impact of a 300-megawatt furnace).

Instead, this region gets the first two while Sudbury — long the mining centre of Northern Ontario with the infrastructure and expertise Cliffs needs — gets the ferrochrome processor to make the ingredients for stainless steel.

Cliffs Natural Resources to invest $3.3 billion to develop Ontario Ring of Fire – by Keith Leslie, The Canadian Press (Canadian Business Magazine – May 09, 2012)

May 10, 2012

Founded in 1928, Canadian Business is the longest-publishing business magazine in Canada.

TORONTO – Ontario announced a $3.3-billion investment by an American mining company Wednesday to develop the Ring of Fire, a huge mineral deposit near James Bay, but faces opposition from some First Nations, local communities and environmentalists.

Cliffs Natural Resources plans to build a chromite mine, a road to the area about 500 kilometres northeast of Thunder Bay and a processing facility near Sudbury, said Northern Development and Mines Minister Rick Bartolucci.

The Ring of Fire includes the largest chromite deposit ever discovered in North America. The $1.8-billion proposed smelter in Capreol would create about 900 jobs, including 450 when it’s in operation by 2015, and would process the chromite into a key component of stainless steel, Bartolucci said in Sudbury.

“There was stiff competition with other jurisdictions for the location of this smelter and those jurisdictions were outside the province of Ontario,” he said.

Involve First Nations early to avoid disputes, leaders say – by Rick Garrick (Wawatay News – May 9, 2012)

May 10, 2012

http://www.wawataynews.ca/

National Chief Shawn A-in-chut Atleo is calling for First Nations to be involved from the outset in resource development.

“Currently, First Nations are often the last to know about major resource development,” Atleo said during his April 23 economics of reconciliation speech at the Canadian Club of Toronto. “This relegates our communities to few options and usually results in confrontation. So we end up with protests and legal battles that frustrate opportunity for everyone and deepen tensions today and in the future.”

Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug Chief Donny Morris said the government has to let his community know when resource development is being discussed for their traditional territory.

“We need to be in the driver’s seat,” Morris said. “This is our territory and when two companies are being bought out by the government, obviously there is something there. The government is acknowledging our veto to say no, but it is taking them too long to come to the forefront, where they basically buy out these companies.”

Cliffs’ ‘world class’ chromite project gets Ontario Govt.’s ardent support – by Dorothy Kosich (Mineweb.com – May 10, 2012)

May 10, 2012

www.mineweb.com

Cliffs Natural Resources board approves advancing the proposed C$3.3bn project in the Ring of Fire area of Northern Ontario to the feasibility stage.

RENO (MINEWEB) – Ontario’s provincial government, led by Premier Dalton McGuinty, Wednesday announced its support for global iron ore miner Cliffs Natural Resources’ proposal to build a Cdn$3.3 billion chromite mine, transportation corridor and processing facility in Northern Ontario’s Ring of Fire.

In a news release, the government noted, “The Ring of Fire represents one of the most significant mineral regions in the province and includes the largest deposit of chromite ever discovered in North America.”

The Cliffs Chromite Project is expected to have substantial benefits in the Far North, and in northern Ontario. The entire project could employ as many as 1,250 people. The McGuinty government believes the project will also generate hundreds of indirect employment opportunities for Northern Ontarians and First Nations communities.

NEWS RELEASE: Ring of Fire decision ill-considered says Greenstone Mayor

May 10, 2012

(Greenstone, May 9, 2012) Mayor Renald Beaulieu of Greenstone, the closest municipality to the Ring of Fire mineral find, was underwhelmed by today’s announcement from Cliffs Natural Resources to locate the chromite refinery near Sudbury.

“It is truly unfortunate that Cliffs and the Provincial Government chose not to meaningfully consult with the directly affected First Nations and Greenstone prior to making and announcing their decision,” stated Mayor Beaulieu.

Important questions remain unanswered by Cliffs and the Province said Beaulieu. In particular, it’s hard to see how you can lead with a decision on a refinery location without an agreement on how you are going to obtain the ore body in the first place.

– Why are First Nation interests being ignored? Today’s update confirms the suspicion of First Nations that a secret deal has been worked out between the Government of Ontario and Cliffs. That deal doesn’t place any value on the support First Nations have offered for the project nor does it take their position on the mining activity seriously.

MINING WATCH NEWS RELEASE: Ontario Could Get Burned by Flawed Ring of Fire Process

November 3, 2015May 10, 2012

http://www.miningwatch.ca/home

Wednesday, May 09, 2012

Ottawa, May 9, 2012. In paired press releases the Ontario Government and U.S. mining company Cliffs Natural Resources today announced plans to proceed with the next step in the development of a chromite deposit in the area dubbed the “Ring of Fire”. The remote area of northern Ontario and the various access routes to it are in the traditional territories of several Ojibway, Oji-Cree, and Cree First Nations.

The announcements confirmed earlier indications that Sudbury could be the location of a proposed ferrochrome processing facility and that Cliffs’ proposed transportation corridor, known as the North-South Route could be developed to link the mine to the existing road and rail systems to the south. This transportation route is competing with another that would make greater use of existing roads and is being proposed by Noront Resources. Each route has its supporters among various First Nations in the area. Northern municipalities and First Nations have also suggested alternative locations for the processing plant.

If the mineral resources of the Ring of Fire are to be developed, value added processing done in Ontario – in accordance with Section 91 of the Mining Act – is certainly in the best interest of the province. Value added processing of mined minerals can greatly increase employment and taxation opportunities.