Ontario Mining – Page 267 – Republic of Mining

‘We are listening’[Ontario government to First Nations] – by Jeff Labine (tbnewswatch.com – May 20, 2012)

May 22, 2012

http://www.tbnewswatch.com/

The Ministry of Natural Resources won’t approve any land us applications from Cliffs Natural Resources applications until an environmental assessment has been completed.

Neskantaga First Nation Chief Peter Moonias wrote a letter to Minister of Natural Resources Michael Gravelle last week after he learned that Cliffs had requested land use and other permits to allow the company to start developing the area for construction. These construction projects included roads leading into the Ring of Fire site.

This application request followed the announcement that the company planned to build a chromite smelter near Sudbury causing outcry from First Nation communities that Ontario did not pursue proper consultation before making the decision.

Moonias, who earlier this week declared he was willing to die to stop the Ring of Fire development, said the MNR couldn’t go ahead with this application.

Noront Resources Corporate Presentation 2012 (May 21, 2012) – Wes Hanson, President & CEO

November 3, 2015May 21, 2012

Noront Resource’s (NOT-V:TSX) full-length corporate presentation at the 2012 CPM Group Precious Metals Mining Investment Seminar, as presented by Wes Hanson, President & CEO. Kitco News, May 21, 2012.

[Paul Reid] The man who saved Cliffs – by Darren MacDonald – (Sudbury Northern Life – May 16, 2012)

May 20, 2012

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

City staffer played key role in Cliffs decision

Just call him the man who saved Cliffs. Paul Reid, a business development officer with the City of Greater Sudbury, was credited May 15 with playing a key role in convincing Cliffs Natural Resources to build its ferrochrome smelter in Sudbury.

Ward 7 Coun. Dave Kilgour, whose ward includes Capreol, said Cliffs came to Sudbury in January or February 2010 to look at another site in the region. “They were on a search across the province for a suitable site, and one of the areas they wanted to look at was in Sudbury,” Kilgour said, following the May 15 city council meeting.

So, Reid and other city staff went with them to tour the site, but Cliffs was disappointed. There wasn’t enough land for the project, and it was too close to residential areas.

“They came in and took a look at it, and for a few reasons, found it wasn’t suitable,” Kilgour, who declined to name the original location, said. “And they asked Paul Reid, since they were here already, whether or not there were any other areas they could take a look at, and he suggested an old mine site north of Capreol.

‘We weren’t even listened to'[Ring of Fire First Nations ignored] – by Carol Mulligan (Sudbury Star – May 19, 2012)

May 19, 2012

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

Chief Sonny Gagnon of Aroland First Nation visited Sudbury on Thursday to begin what he says will be a process of educating other First Nations about developments related to the Ring of Fire and his community’s involvement in them.

Gagnon met with leaders from Atikameksheng Anishnawbek or Whitefish Lake First Nation, but would not say what was discussed at the two-hour session.

“There are a lot of dark areas where we have to enlighten ourselves,” the chief said Friday in a telephone interview from northwestern Ontario. “I think they know what happened in the past with Sudbury,” he said of the First Nation located 20 kilometres west of the city.

Gagnon says his community is not anti-development, but he doesn’t like the way the decision was made on the location of the ferrochrome smelter that Cliffs Natural Resources plans to build near Capreol.

The chief is “ticked off ” about the fact Northern Development and Mines Minister Rick Bartolucci, who is Sudbury’s Liberal MPP, did not consult with his community before the decision about the smelter was announced last Wednesday.

Most Cliffs jobs will be in the Northwest – by Michael Gravelle (Thunder Bay Chronicle-Journal – May 19, 2012)

May 19, 2012

The Thunder Bay Chronicle-Journal is the daily newspaper of Northwestern Ontario.

Michael Gravelle, MPP for Thunder Bay-Superior North, is Ontario’s Minister of Natural Resources.

There is very good reason for everyone in Northwestern Ontario to be excited about the growth of the mining sector in our part of the province. Mineral exploration investments are at an all-time high and we can expect the opening of several new mines in the region to employ hundreds, if not thousands of people, which will drive the economy forward to levels we have not seen before. These opportunities are being embraced by First Nations and municipal governments all across the region as they seek to seize the long-term benefits this renaissance in mining will provide.

There is no question that the project that has captured the most attention is the Ring of Fire, where an unprecedented level of investment is poised to bring economic benefits and jobs to thousands of people for many years to come.

While there are a number of companies making significant investments in this resource-rich part of the Northwest, most of the public attention over the past year or so has been focused on Cliffs Natural Resources, a U.S.-based firm that is eager to take the next major step forward in the development of a huge project; one that, if managed properly, will bring extraordinary long-term economic benefits to many First Nations communities and municipalities across our region.

Selective outrage [in Ring of Fire First Nations] – Thunder Bay Chronicle-Journal Editorial (May 17, 2012)

May 18, 2012

The Thunder Bay Chronicle-Journal is the daily newspaper of Northwestern Ontario.

THE CHIEF of a First Nation near the Ring of Fire mineral deposit has said he’ll die before he allows a mining company to cross a river near his community to access its property. Neskantaga Chief Peter Moonias said Cliffs Natural Resources’ chromite development at the headwaters of the Attawapiskat River could destroy his community.

Moonias wrote to Northern Development and Mines Minister Rick Bartolucci to express disappointment with Ontario’s decision to support Cliffs’ multi-billion dollar plan including a north-south all-season road linking the mine with a rail line near Aroland First Nation and the nearby town of Nakina.

“These decisions will have significant adverse effects on our lands, environment and way of life,” Moonias wrote. “Your government has made these decisions without adequate consultation with Neskantaga, in breach of your legal duties . . . .”

Moonias threatened to “use every lawful means at our disposal” to oppose the Cliffs project — the largest single component of the biggest economic development opportunity to hit Northern Ontario in a lifetime.

Two Sudbury OMA contributors – Charlie Graham and Bob Onucki – gain CIM recognition

May 18, 2012

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.

Two significant and long-serving contributors to Ontario Mining Association activities and initiatives have recently been presented with major awards by the Canadian Institute of Mining. Bob Onucki, Senior Global Account Director Mining for Sandvik, won the CIM Distinguished Service Medal and Charlie Graham, Managing Director of the Canadian Mining Industry Research Organization (CAMIRO), was the first winner of the Underground Mining Society Award.

Presentations of these mining industry awards were made recently at the Canadian Institute of Mining’s 114th annual conference, which was held in Edmonton. Both Mr. Onucki and Mr. Graham are based in Sudbury. They were part of a contingent of 10 people from the Sudbury area who received recognition at this awards ceremony. The CIM Distinguished Service Medal was inaugurated in 1956. It is presented for distinguished and meritorious service to the CIM and the mineral industry, of a nature not necessarily technical or scientific.

“This award culminates 40 years of my being in the mining business and more than 25 of those years as a CIM member,” said Mr. Onucki, who has always been a champion of promoting students interested in the industry. “This award reminds me of the great people and interesting moments in the business and it is absolutely fantastic to be recognized by my peers.”

Timmins honours King of the Klondike, Sean Ryan, at gala dinner – by Len Gillis (Timmins Times – May 17, 2012)

May 18, 2012

http://www.timminstimes.com/

Ryan, John Larche and Don McKinnon honoured as part of 100th anniversary celebration

Some of the most famous prospectors in Timmins, indeed in all of Canada, were honoured this week at the Gala Mining Dinner hosted by the Porcupine Miners Memorial Committee to help celebrate the 100th anniversary of Timmins.

Fittingly the event was held at the McIntyre ballroom Tuesday night, named for the the mine discovered by another of the city’s legendary mine finders. But the evening was dedicated to some of the more modern prospectors who have made their mark in other parts of Ontario and other parts of Canada, but have always remained true to their Timmins roots.

The tributes were presented in recognition of the city’s 100th anniversary and also because later this year, the city will unveil three larger-than-life bronze statues to commemorate the mining discoveries by Jack Wilson, Benny Hollinger and Sandy McIntyre, the prospectors who found the Big Three gold mining properties in Timmins, The Dome Mine, The Hollinger Mine and The McIntyre Mine.

It made the evening the right setting to honour three modern-day Timmins prospectors whose names have become synonymous with success in finding gold; John Larche, Don McKinnon and Sean Ryan.

We take our responsibilities very seriously when it comes to consulting with our First Nations partners – Dalton McGuinty – by James Murray (NetNewsLedger – May 16, 2012)

May 17, 2012

http://netnewsledger.com/

QUEEN’S PARK – The battle over who is listening is being fought in Queen’s Park. During Question Period today, the NDP leader Andrea Horwath was up questioning the Premier on the differences between the Ontario government and the First Nations over the Ring of Fire.

Howath asked Premier Dalton McGuinty, “Last week, the government assured this Legislature and the public that First Nations partners were being properly consulted about development in the Ring of Fire. Today, we’re hearing a very different story from the Neskantaga First Nation, whose legal counsel asserts that the government breached its legal duty to consult. Why has this government shown no serious willingness—and those are the First Nations’ words—to address the concerns of Neskantaga and other Mattawa First Nations?”

The Premier responded, “I just want to say that we take our responsibilities very seriously when it comes to consulting with our First Nations partners. We understand there is legal obligation there, but we also feel a sense of responsibility, on behalf of all Ontarians, to make sure that we are working with our First Nations partners, especially when it comes to exciting new opportunities to be found in the Ring of Fire. I know that specific efforts were made to reach out to those communities in the past. We will continue to find ways to move forward.

Special tribute to prospecting legends – by Kyle Gennings (Timmins Daily Press – May 16, 2012)

May 17, 2012

The Daily Press is the city of Timmins broadsheet newspaper.

Porcupine Prospectors and Developers Association honour trio of mining heroes

For many, the idea of prospecting goes hand in hand with the gold rushes in the early 1900s. Colourless men in britches panning the rivers outside of Dawson City, wearing wide brimmed hats keeping the sun off of their sweat stained backs.

However, prospectors have transcended the years and can still be found roaming the bush, the mountainsides and the valleys of Canada staking claims, seeking gold and above all, the big pay out from the mining companies. While the technology has changed drastically, the principle of hard work hasn’t.

Which is why the Porcupine Prospectors and Developers Association honoured three men with lifetime achievement awards for being at the forefront of their peers — they are mine finders. Don McKinnon, John Larche and Shawn Ryan were awarded for their prowess as gold finders, and more than that, their ability to provide mining companies a reason to dig deep.

“Prospectors live a hand-to-mouth existence,” said Gregory Reynolds, former managing editor of the Timmins Daily Press. “Never having a steady pay cheque and never knowing where in Canada the next contract will take them.”

North [Ontario] gets chill from McGuinty – by Brian MacLeod (Sudbury Star – May 17, 2012)

May 17, 2012

The Sudbury Star is the City of Greater Sudbury’s daily newspaper and Brian MacLeod is the managing editor. brian.macleod@sunmedia.ca

Northern Ontario has never been homogeneous. Its vast geography and the rivalries among municipalities make it a hard political animal to tame.

And that makes life difficult for Premier Dalton McGuinty. Developments over the last couple of years show that. The closure of Xstrata’s Kidd Creek Metallurgical plant in Timmins in 2010 saw 600 jobs lost as the work moved to Quebec, in large part because of the high cost of power in Ontario.

In March, the government announced it will privatize the Ontario Northland Transportation Commission — which provides some rail, bus and communications services in the North — putting 1,000 jobs in question. And last week, Cliffs Natural Resources, the U.S. firm that’s first in developing the massive Ring of Fire chromite deposit in northwestern Ontario, announced it would build its ferrochrome smelter in Sudbury, bringing about 450 jobs.

Mouse against elephant [Ring of Fire conflict] – by Carol Mulligan (Sudbury Star – May 17, 2012)

May 17, 2012

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

Chief Peter Moonias, of Neskantaga First Nation, has the backing of his members to do whatever it takes– legal action, blockading and even acts of “mischief” — to get Northern Development and Mines Minister Rick Bartolucci to negotiate with his community.

Moonias has hired a British Columbia lawyer, experienced in native land claims, to represent his 400-member community 35 ki lometres from where Cliffs Natural Resources intends to operate an open-pit chromite mine in the Ring of Fire.

Neskantaga members are furious because they say they weren’t consulted by the province before it gave Cliffs approval in principle to mine the deposit and locate a ferrochrome processing plant near Capreol.

Bartolucci said last week his government will enter into framework agreements with First Nations as it finalizes details of its agreement with Cleveland-based Cliffs. The chief says that’s like someone coming onto a Sudbury homeowner’s property, digging up the lawn and saying, “I’ll have a framework agreement after I finish digging.”

Let claims lapse, says group – by Laura Stricker (Sudbury Star – May 17, 2012)

May 17, 2012

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

A decision by the provincial government will determine the fate of Wolf Lake Forest Reserve for the next two decades, a group dedicated to protecting the area says.

Members of the Wolf Lake Coalition gathered at Memorial Park in downtown Sudbury on Wednesday to make the case for why more of Wolf Lake should be turned into parkland, and to release a report detailing why the area needs to be protected.

“We’re at a key time in terms of being two weeks away from a decision that the Ontario government will make, which will either open the way for full protection as a park or block that for another 21 years,” said Beth Mairs, a member of the Wolf Lake group and the Coalition for a Liveable Sudbury.

On May 31, a mining lease in the forest is set to expire. The group is urging the government to end the lease, rather than renew it for another 21 years. The Mike Harris government made a promise in 1999 that once a mining lease or claim lapses in the Wolf Lake area, the land in question becomes parkland and will be added to the Chiniguchi Waterway Provincial Park, in Greater Sudbury north of Lake Wahnapitae.

From Queen’s Park – We need to make the right decisions on the Ring of Fire – by Sarah Campbell, Kenora-Rainy River MPP (NetNewsledger.com – May 13, 2012)

May 16, 2012

http://netnewsledger.com/

QUEEN’S PARK – LEADER’S LEDGER – Last week Cliffs Natural Resources announced its plans to locate a chromite smelter, which will be used to process raw ore from the Ring of Fire, in Sudbury.

While many are disappointed that the smelter, and 450 potential jobs, will be located in Sudbury, Cliffs Natural Resources is a privately owned company and the decision, with its estimated $1.8 billion price tag, is theirs to make.

That said, I have concerns with the way this process was handled by the provincial government, not only in its failure to involve regional leaders but also in the fact that there appears to be many side deals that have been made but not announced.

The fact is, the government needs to be the party facilitating a cooperative approach, to ensure the potential of the Ring of Fire project is maximized. By leaving community leaders out of the first stage of planning, and making decisions without them, they risk making the wrong decisions.

While the only firm commitment that has been announced is the location of the smelter, the fact that this decision was made in the backroom leaves us to guess as to what other promises have been made.