Follow the development [Thunder Bay] – Thunder Bay Chronicle-Jouranl Editorial (April 27, 2012)

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

IT SEEMS there is so much going on in Thunder Bay that it’s hard to keep track of. In one way, that’s a good thing. Thunder Bay needs development to complement what’s left of forestry, build on the next big mining boom and capitalize on the emergence of medical research clusters.

But citizens need to keep aware and be apprised of all these initiatives. It’s our community, our region, and the power brokers must always bear in mind who’s in charge. Grand plans cost money and it mostly comes from taxpayers.

There are two distinct camps among supporters of a proposed event centre. Those who favour a downtown waterfront site agree it will build on and feed off the city’s designated entertainment district surrounding it. Those set on Innova Business Park like the wide-open space to allow for on-site parking and access from adjacent expressways.

A letter writer today wonders if Thunder Bay and area’s notoriously fickle sports fans will troop to a new arena when so few fail to attend events like the Dudley Hewitt Cup.

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Noront wants to be ‘world-class’ in First Nations-industry relations – by Shawn Bell (Wawatay News – April 26, 2012)

This article came from Wawatay News: http://www.wawataynews.ca/

Noront Resources, one of the big players in Ontario’s Ring of Fire, says it wants to set a new world-class standard for how mining companies work with First Nations communities around developments.
 
Noront’s Chief Operating Officer (COO) Paul Semple made the claim during the company’s visit to Nibinamik First Nation on April 12.
 
“We believe there is an opportunity right now for industry and First Nations (in Ontario) to develop a world-class model of how we can work together,” Semple said. “Our goal is to set the standard, to supersede the current industry standard in how we work with Aboriginal people.”
 
Noront’s Eagles’ Nest mine is currently undergoing environmental assessment. The company hopes to start construction on the underground mine in 2013, with production expected to begin in 2015.

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NEWS RELEASE: MacDonald Mines Signs Exploration Agreement with Kasabonika Lake First Nation

MacDonald Mines Exploration Ltd. (TSX.V: BMK) (“MacDonald” or “the Company”) is very pleased to announce the signing of an Exploration Agreement with the Kasabonika Lake First Nation (“KLFN”).
 
In accordance with the Government mandate to advise and consult, MacDonald Mines continues its history of reaching accords with First Nation Communities. The company firmly believes that strong and fair working relationships between the mining exploration sector and First Nation’s traditional beliefs and objectives is the cornerstone of a harmonious interface between both parties.
 
Kirk McKinnon, President & CEO, commenting “I would like to take this opportunity to thank Chief Eno H. Anderson and the Kasabonika Council for their time and desire to reach a fair and responsible agreement with MacDonald Mines. During this negotiating process, we at MacDonald Mines saw and understood the important relationship that the Kasabonika Lake First Nation has and enjoys with their traditional lands.

It is this appreciation of the relationship to their traditional lands that gave MacDonald Mines the necessary understanding to work to find a fair resolution to our negotiations. I am especially gratified at the role the elders, Mr. Geordie Semple and Mr. Harry Semple, played in reaching this agreement in cooperation with Chief & Council. Their comments and passion relating to their traditional lands provided great insight and understanding for MacDonald through this process.” 

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Nibinamik First Nation working with Noront on skills training – by Shawn Bell (Wawatay News – April 24, 2012)

This article came from Wawatay News: http://www.wawataynews.ca/

Nibinamik First Nation is the fourth First Nation to sign a training agreement with Noront Resources that intends to help band members get mining jobs if the Ring of Fire goes ahead as planned.
 
Nibinamik chief Johnny Yellowhead signed the agreement with Noront during the community’s mining week, held from April 10-13.

“If mining is done with inclusion and respect for people on the land, everyone will win,” Yellowhead said during the signing ceremony. “That’s our main purpose with the 4-nation partnership is to try to work together and try to understand each other.”
 
Nibinamik, Webequie, Neskantaga and Eabametoong First Nations signed the 4-nations partnership during the Prospectors and Developers Association conference in Toronto in March. The bands’ initial move was to throw their support behind the East-West transportation corridor that would connect each of the communities to the southern road and power line network.
 
Now each of the four Matawa First Nations have agreed to work with Noront on pushing the federal government for skills and education training to prepare band members for jobs at the mine.

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Ontario Ring of Fire prospects and players huge – by Saul Chernos (Daily Commercial News and Construction Record – April 23, 2012)

 http://www.dailycommercialnews.com/

The prospects look huge for the Ring of Fire, an area of nearly 5,000 square kilometres within the James Bay Lowlands.
 
This area is smaller than Prince Edward Island, yet some 35 companies hold approximately 25,000 claim units, exploring for minerals as diverse as chromite, nickel, copper, zinc, platinum, gold and diamonds.
 
In January, Cliffs Natural Resources announced its Black Thor chromite deposit, currently undergoing prefeasibility assessment, could begin production by 2015.

The Cleveland-based company publicly estimated mine development costs at approximately $150 million, an ore concentrating plant at $800 million, and a ferrochrome processing facility at $1.8 billion.
 
Cliffs also pegged an integrated transportation system, including all-weather roads, at $600 million, but said it wants to share costs with other stakeholders.

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Power Ring of Fire with hydro, chiefs say – Shawn Bell (Wawatay News – April 18, 2012)

This article came from Wawatay News: http://www.wawataynews.ca/

First Nations and municipal leaders from northwestern Ontario are banding together with a list of demands to ensure long-term benefits of the Ring of Fire stay in the region.
 
The demands include powering the mines with hydropower, connecting remote communities to a hydro grid and road network and building Cliffs Resources’ chromite smelter in Greenstone.
 
“The companies want to come in and exploit the resources and leave nothing behind for local long standing benefits such as electric grid connection and road access, both a boost to the local economy,” said Marten Falls First Nation Chief Elijah Moonias.

Marten Falls was joined by Aroland, Constance Lake and three Lake Nipigon First Nations at the summit, held in Greenstone on April 17. Mayors of four municipalities, including Greenstone and Thunder Bay, were also signatories to the Ring of Fire resolution signed at the summit.

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NEWS RELEASE: Summit of First Nations and Northwestern Municipalities shows alignment on sharing Ring of Fire benefits

Summit Resolution says Exton is favoured site for Ring of Fire ferrochrome refinery and north/south access

(Greenstone, ON, April 17, 2012) A Summit between leaders of Lake Nipigon and Ring of Fire North/South Alliance First Nations met on Saturday April 14, 2012 with Mayors of Greenstone, Nipigon, Hearst and Thunder Bay to demonstrate solidarity in their position that the opportunities and benefits of resource development related to the Ring of Fire remain in the area.

A Ring of Fire Resolution supporting (a) Exton (between Aroland First nation and Nakina) as the preferred refinery site and (b) a north-south access route to Marten Falls was signed by six First Nations (Marten Falls FN, Aroland FN, Bingwi Neyaashi Anishinabeek FN, Constance Lake FN, Animiigoo Zaagi’igan Anishinabeek FN, and Red Rock Indian Band) and four regional Mayors (Greenstone, Hearst, Nipigon and Thunder Bay). Peter Collins, Regional Grand Chief, Union of Ontario Indians, Anishinabek Nation Council & Chief of Fort William First Nation participated by teleconference. Chief Collins and other community leaders unable to attend are also expected to sign the Resolution over the next few days. 

Chief Elijah Moonias of Marten Falls First Nation, on whose traditional lands the Ring of Fire chromite deposits are located, addressed the gathering held in Greenstone. Chief Moonias stated, “The companies want to come in and exploit the resources and leave nothing behind for local long standing benefits such as electric grid connection and roads access – both a boost to the local economy.

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NDP tries to leverage deal with Liberals to halt sale of ONTC – by Mark Prior (Timmins Daily Press – April 16, 2012)

The Daily Press is the city of Timmins broadsheet newspaper.

Support motion or face election, McGuinty government told

MPP Gilles Bisson (NDP — Timmins-James Bay) says his party has presented the Ontario Liberals with an ultimatum in order to avoid another provincial election.

The Dalton McGuinty government can vote to support the NDP’s budget motion by the April 24 deadline — or face the likelihood of seeing Ontarians go back to the polls. Bisson said the motions put forward by the NDP includes a plan to save the Ontario Northland Transportation Commission from divestment.

A key concern is how dismantling the ONTC will hinder the potential for Northeastern communities to tap into the mining and economic opportunities being created in the Ring of Fire, within the James Bay lowlands.

“We were extremely disappointed when Mr. McGuinty and Mr. (Rick) Bartolucci announced they were going ahead with the divestiture, which means only the lucrative parts of the ONTC are going to be taken over by the private sector, and the subsidized parts will be gone,” said Bisson.

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Mining the Treasure Trove (Ring of Fire): Excerpt from Northern Ontario: Introducing the Unknown Country – Michael Barnes

Michael Barnes is the author of more than fifty books about characters, communities, mining, and police work. He is a Member of the Order of Canada and makes his home in Haliburton, Ontario, Canada. While living in Northern Ontario most of his life, he has come to know and admire those who make their living in the mining industry.

To order a copy of “Fortunes Found – Canadian Mining Success” go to: General Store Publishing House

Mining the Treasure Trove (Ring of Fire) Excerpt

Geologists have two theories as to the origins of the metals that are driving the push to access the potential bounty of the Ring of Fire deposits. The area it covers may well be bigger than the Sudbury Basin. One theory has it that the volcanics in the great arc were there first and then the granite intruded, bringing up host rocks for the minerals.

The other is connected with Continental Drift during the earth’s early history. In this line of thought, two separate subcontinents collided, and between the faulted contact between the two, mineral plumes brought up the minerals. More drilling in the granite should eventually settle the matter.

In the meantime, the rare mix of metals waiting for harvest has excited more interest than any other mining boom in Canada in decades. One estimate of the value of the chromium alone currently known to be present is set at $30 billion. As diamond drills continue to define the different ore bodies, and geologists ponder each metre of core brought to surface, there is much debate as to how mining will be done and the way it will be brought to market. (Continued after video)

In 2010, the Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada awarded the discoverers of the Ontario Ring of Fire mining camp – Richard E. Nemis, John D. Harvey, Mac Watson,  Donald Hoy, Neil D. Novak – the Prospectors of the Year Award. The above video highlights the most significant Canadian mineral discovery in almost a century.  

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Bold Ventures Signs Memorandum of Understanding With Attawapiskat First Nation, Plans to Drill

Toronto, Ontario April 11, 2012 – Bold Ventures Inc. (BOL:TSX.V) (“Bold” or the “Company”) is pleased to advise that it has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (“MOU”) with Attawapiskat First Nation (“ATFN”) to cover the initial drilling program of its Area 52,53,54 and 56 claim groups located within 100 kilometres of the area dubbed “The Ring of Fire” northern Ontario.  The MOU allows for Bold’s initial drill program in that area to commence while respecting the environment and the traditional activities of the local people and addresses benefits for the local economy and job creation.  The initial diamond drilling program will consist of approximately 2000 metres of NQ sized core drilling.
 
In late 2010 the Company staked the Area 52, 53, 54 and 56 claims to cover a number of high potential VTEM anomalies.  Numerous anomalies were encountered with at least ten that are recommended for follow up drill testing. Three separate VTEM anomalies are favourably compared to the anomaly at Noront Resources Eagle One Ni-Cu-PGM discovery. Mr. Scott Hogg, a consultant and advisor to the Board of Bold concluded in his report dated November 23rd 2010 (which may be accessed by visiting the Company’s new web site) that:
 
“In general, anomalies within the Ring of Fire Area that have a significant time constant have proven to be associated with sulphide mineralization. The Eagle One nickel deposit had an associated time constant of just under 4 milliseconds (“msec”).  Anomaly 53-A has a longer time constant of about 4.5 msec and presents an exceptional target from an airborne electromagnetic perspective. 

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Cliffs’ land deal ‘encouraging ‘ [for potential Sudbury chromite refinery] – by Northern Ontario Business staff (Northern Ontario Business – April 11, 2012)

Established in 1980, Northern Ontario Business provides Canadians and international investors with relevant, current and insightful editorial content and business news information about Ontario’s vibrant and resource-rich North.

While Cliffs Natural Resources has yet to announce where it will establish its chromite smelter, Sudbury is encouraged by news of a land deal north of Capreol.
 
According to a CBC report, Cliffs entered into a deal a year ago with businessman Bruno Gervais to purchase the former Moose Mountain Mine site for $330,000.
 
“According to the schedule Cliffs put out, they wanted to be in operation by January, 2015. As part of that schedule, the announcement would have to be made some time the first quarter of 2012 so it can move forward with planning and permitting,” said Greater Sudbury Coun. Dave Kilgour.
 
“It’s encouraging and we are putting two and two together but I haven’t heard anything concrete. Talks are still going on and moving on to the final phase of the evaluation as far as the environmental assessment goes.”

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Sudbury expected to win Cliffs lottery – by Mike Whitehouse (Sudbury Star – April 11, 2012)

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

The consensus among Greater Sudbury’s northern rivals is the nickel city has — as expected — won the marathon to host Cliffs Natural Resources’ prized ferrochrome smelter.

Thunder Bay Mayor Keith Hobbs made clear last week that Cliffs officials told him the company, long leaning toward the northeast, is now entirely focused on Sudbury.

Cleveland-based Cliffs is the principal in the development of the Ring of Fire deposit in the James Bay Lowlands and plans to spend close to $3 billion to get its chromite project into production. About $1.8 billion of that is to build a ferrochrome processing plant.

In addition to Sudbury and Thunder Bay, Timmins and Greenstone, the town closest to the minesite, were considered possible locations for the plant.

In 2010, Cliffs announced its base-case smelter location was Moose Mountain Mine north of Capreol because of proximity to rail and hydro corridors and Sudbury’s large, experienced workforce.

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First Nation chiefs make statement on Ring of Fire corridor – by Ian Ross (Northern Ontario Business – April 5, 2012)

Established in 1980, Northern Ontario Business provides Canadians and international investors with relevant, current and insightful editorial content and business news information about Ontario’s vibrant and resource-rich North. Ian Ross is the editor of Northern Ontario Business ianross@nob.on.ca.

Staking their claim

First Nation chiefs don’t plan to sit on the sidelines without having a major say in how Far North mineral development unfolds in their territories. For years, Aroland First Nation Chief Sonny Gagnon used to watch heavily-laden logging trucks head south and wonder where the wood was being processed.
 
This time he expects the manufacturing to stay, and he wants minerals extracted from the Ring of Fire to be processed or refined in his territory. That includes the one million tonnes of chromite concentrate that Cliffs Natural Resources wants to take offshore.
 
“That is what we’re targeting,” said Gagnon. First Nation leaders used the backdrop of the Prospectors and Developers annual mining show in Toronto to stake their own collective claims.
 
At a March 6 Queen’s Park news conference, Gagnon and Marten Falls Chief Eli Moonias issued a position paper outlining their concerns and expectations of the massive chromite and nickel deposits in the James Bay lowlands.

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Sudbury wins? [Cliffs Natural Resources ferrochrome plant] – by Leith Dunick (tbnewswatch.com – April 4, 2012)

 www.thbnewswatch.com

For the video newscast click here: http://www.tbnewswatch.com/Video/24256/No-Processor

Mayor Keith Hobbs said the writing’s been on the wall for a year or more, and the message probably isn’t a good one for Thunder Bay. Hobbs was reacting Monday to news that Cliffs Natural Resources’ suggestion the mining giant is still working with its best case scenario location for a much-sought after ferrochrome processing plant and it’s likely Sudbury will be made the official location.

A decision could come in a matter of weeks. Hobbs called the decision disappointing, though hasn’t entirely given up hope the project and 500 jobs can be salvaged for Thunder Bay.

“We wouldn’t be surprised by that,” Hobbs said. “The Northwest, NOMA and the City of Thunder Bay, we were all prepared for that.

“When we went to Cliffs last year in Cleveland and met with them, they told us that when they found out the Kinghorn (rail) line was gone, that we dropped from base case to maybe second base case. So it wouldn’t be a surprise if it went to Sudbury at all.”

Andrew Mitchell, a director of development for Cliffs Chromite Ontario Inc., said the final decision will come down to one factor – energy.

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Noront Resources invests in Webequie youth – by Norm Tollinsky (Sudbury Mining Solutions Journal – March 2012)

Sudbury Mining Solutions Journal is a magazine that showcases the mining expertise of North Bay, Timmins and Sudbury.

Noront Resources, a junior mining company working toward the development of its Eagle’s Nest nickel-copper-PGE deposit in Ontario’s Ring of Fire, is lending its support to a youth empowerment program for First Nation kids who could one day end up working for the company.

DAREarts, a charity that works with youth in challenging circumstances, began its relationship with Webequie four years ago when youth and elders from the First Nation community exposed to DAREarts programming at a Junior Ranger camp asked for help.

“There wasn’t any money in the budget for Webequie, but I couldn’t say no to them,” said DAREarts founder and president Marilyn Field. “I put in some of my own seed money for the first few years until we eventually found some funding.”

The organization uses the arts, including storytelling, photography, dance, drama and music, to help young people build confidence and leadership skills. 

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