Red Lake – Page 6 – Republic of Mining

Crown has to respect treaty rights: Wabauskang Chief Leslie Cameron – by Jon Thompson (Kenora Daily Miner & News – December 24, 2012)

December 27, 2012

http://www.kenoradailyminerandnews.com/

Facing a lawsuit that could threaten its Phoenix Mine at Red Lake, Rubicon Minerals is not only vowing to fight back in court but to work with Wabauskang First Nation, who launched the suit on Thursday.

Based on an Ontario Superior Court of Justice decision that could redefine harvesting rights in the province, Wabauskang has asked a provincial court to either suspend or entirely cancel the approval of Rubicon’s closure plan, the primary authorization that will allow the company to begin production. The case, known as the Grassy Narrows Trappers’ Decision, found only the federal government can alter treaty agreements. The province has appealed that decision.

“We would rather not go to court, but until Canada and Ontario fulfill their responsibilities to us, we have no choice,” said Wabauskang Chief Leslie Cameron, arguing the province has unlawfully delegated its consultation responsibilities to the company. “Rubicon talks about their consultation, but where’s the government’s consultation? Ontario relied on Rubicon. That’s not right.”

Cameron compared her community’s case to that of Wahogshig First Nation’s case against Solid Gold Resources, which that First Nation argued in court on the same day Wabauskang filed its suit. She said Wabauskang will be closely watching the decision on Wahogshig, which is expected in mid-January 2013.

First Nation clashes with Red Lake gold miner – by Ian Ross (Northern Ontario Business – December 21, 2012)

December 21, 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.

A small northwestern Ontario First Nation community is threatening legal action against a Red Lake gold miner which is advancing a high-grade deposit toward an early 2014 startup.

Wabauskang First Nation Chief Leslie Cameron said negotiations for a benefits agreement are not going well between his community of 300 and Rubicon Minerals over its Phoenix Gold project.

The band has instructed its lawyers to file a lawsuit at the Ontario Superior Court opposing Rubicon’s project. While the band is frustrated with the pace of development by the Vancouver-based miner, it has an even bigger bone to pick with the federal and provincial governments.

In a Dec. 17 news release, the band said it has repeatedly reminded and complained to Queen’s Park and Ottawa of its “constitutional obligations to consult and accommodate,” with First Nations on mining and exploration projects. But the band said both levels of government have ignored them and foisted those duties onto the mining companies.

NEWS RELEASE: Wabauskang First Nation Files Lawsuit Against Ontario and Rubicon

December 21, 2012

Wabauskang First Nation
Treaty 3
December 20, 2012

Wabauskang First Nation’s lawsuit opposing Rubicon Mineral’s proposed Phoenix Mine at Red Lake, Ontario has been filed at the Ontario Superior Court of Justice.

“We will oppose Rubicon’s mine until our Treaty rights are respected,” said Wabauskang Chief Leslie Cameron. “We would rather not go to court, but until Canada and Ontario fulfill their responsibilities to us, we have no choice.”

Wabauskang’s lawsuit asks the court to either suspend or entirely cancel the approval of the closure plan, which is the primary authorization that will let Rubicon go into production. The lawsuit relies on last year’s court win by Grassy Narrrows First Nation in Keewatin, where the court found that only the federal government can justify an infringement of Treaty rights.

“We know that Ontario has been informing companies that any authorizations they get in the Keewatin lands may not be valid because the court has found that Ontario doesn’t have jurisdiction to issue authorizations. We think Rubicon’s closure plan is an example of an authorization that will ultimately be cancelled by the court.”

Wabauskang heading to court to stop gold mine – by Shawn Bell (Wawatay News – December 18, 2012)

December 19, 2012

Northern Ontario’s First Nations Voice: http://wawataynews.ca/

Wabauskang First Nation is preparing to file a lawsuit to oppose Rubicon Minerals’ proposed Phoenix Gold Mine in Red Lake.

The Treaty #3 First Nation says it was left with no choice but to go to court after attempts to work with the company over the past year to address Wabauskang’s concerns failed to resolve the differences.

Wabauskang Chief Leslie Cameron pointed blame over the dispute directly at the federal government. Cameron said the government has passed its duty to consult First Nations onto Ontario and then onto mining companies. “The government has to deal with us directly,” Cameron said. “They can’t hide behind mining companies.”

Cameron said Wabauskang expressed its concerns with Rubicon’s Phoenix Gold Mine project right from the time the project was initiated. Despite those concerns, Ontario approved the mine’s process review in the fall of 2011.

“We didn’t want to go to court, so even though we don’t think Ontario had the authority to approve the mine, we tried to work with the company over the last year to resolve our concerns,” Cameron said. “We’ve been unsuccessful, so we’re forced to go to court to ensure that our interests are protected.”

NEWS RELEASE: Rubicon remains committed to further discussions with Wabauskang First Nation

December 18, 2012

TSX:RMX | NYSE.MKT:RBY

TORONTO, Dec. 17, 2012 /CNW/ – Rubicon Minerals Corporation (TSX: RMX | NYSE-MKT: RBY) (“Rubicon”) has learned via press reports that, on December 17, 2012, Wabauskang First Nation (“WFN”) instructed its lawyers to file a lawsuit related to Rubicon’s Phoenix Gold Project in Red Lake, Ontario. At this time, since it has received no notice from WFN, the details of its lawsuit are unknown to Rubicon.

By way of background, Rubicon has been engaged in discussions and consultation with WFN since January of 2009. As part its Closure Plan obligations, Rubicon confirmed its intention to continue to consult with WFN with respect to the Phoenix Gold Project.

Rubicon has, in good faith, met with the community representatives of WFN and other Aboriginal Communities to ensure their interests have been heard and incorporated into the planning process. Some of the efforts made by Rubicon with respect to WFN are as follows:

as noted above, discussed and consulted WFN directly since January 2009;
provided funding to WFN pursuant to its Consultation & Accommodation Protocol for environmental reviews, legal assistance, financial analyses, a traditional use study, travel, per diems and honorariums;
Read more

A good look at new mining – Thunder Bay Chronicle-Journal Editorial (September 28, 2012)

September 28, 2012

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

THE Ring of Fire is on many minds these days. As miners prepare to dig into the James Bay lowlands, Northern Ontario communities jockey to provide services and employees. But the North’s new mining boom extends well beyond the Ring. A new analysis, commissioned by Ambassadors Northwest, showcases stunning opportunities that will transform the region. Billions of dollars are at stake. Communities will share handsomely if governments do what they must do to make it happen.

Conducted by university and college professors, the study looks at nine mining projects underway in the Northwest. It does not include existing mines. The Ring of Fire’s two biggies — Cliff’s Natural Resources’ Black Thor and Noront Resources’ Eagles Nest — are familiar. But seven other projects are similarly mature or near development with the potential to become producing mines in five years.

They are: Bending Lake Iron Property surrounded by Atikokan, Ignace and Dryden; Goldcorp’s Bruce Channel and Cochenour projects and Rubicon Minerals’ Phoenix Gold project in the famed Red Lake gold field; Osisko Mining’s Hammond Reef project near Atikokan; Rainy River Resources’ gold project; Stillwater Mining’s copper and paladium operation near Marathon; and Treasury Metals’ Goliath gold project in the Wabigoon and Dryden area.

The dollar value, employment and tax revenue potential of these projects is “substantial,” the study says. That’s an understatement. The total value of unmined metals and minerals is estimated to be $135 billion based on June commodity prices.

Boom in the making [Northwestern Ontario mining] – Kris Ketonen (Thunder Bay Chronicle-Journal – September 28, 2012)

September 28, 2012

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

The full study can be found at: http://www.thunderbayventures.com/upload/documents/mining-in-northwestern-ontario.pdf

Northwestern Ontario stands to reap huge financial rewards when the region’s developing mining sector matures, but a great deal of time and money must be invested to ensure the region is ready, a new study states.

Mining in Northwestern Ontario: Opportunities and Challenges examined several in-development mining projects, and found that when up and running, thy have the potential to create more than 13,000 jobs in the region alone, and the yet-to-be mined minerals and metals found here have a value of around $136 billion.

In addition, more than $16 billion in tax revenue is expected to be collected by the provincial, federal and relevant municipal governments during the average 17.5-year lifetime of the mines.

“There are a few objectives we had for this report,” Bahram Dadgostar, dean of Lakehead University’s faculty of business and one of the study’s authors, said Thursday after the release of the report.

“One is to make sure that communities are aware of the wealth that we have underground here, and the opportunities that we can have when we explore that. “And second is (to) make government aware of the wealth here and the profit that they can get out of it if they . . . effectively contribute to the process.”

Gold miner Goldcorp is cornerstone of the Red Lake community

September 11, 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.

Ontario Mining Association member Goldcorp’s Red Lake Mines is the cornerstone of its namesake community in the northwestern corner of Ontario. Though the impact of this mining operation is felt regionally, provincially, nationally and internationally, its role is the most profound within sight of its headframes.

Red Lake, which is located in the Central Time Zone, more than 1,900 kilometres north and west of Toronto, has a current population of about 5,200. It is comprised of the communities of Red Lake, Balmertown, Cochenour, McKenzie Island, Madsen and Starratt-Olsen. Goldcorp is the largest employer in the community with approximately 1,000 workers and 500 contractors on board.

Goldcorp’s operations, which are all underground, in this area are supported by four headframes and hoists and two milling facilities with a capacity of 2,800 tonnes per day. Red Lake Mines is the largest gold producer among Goldcorp’s multiple operations in Canada, the United States and Latin America. In 2012, Red Lake Mines is expected to produce between 460,000 and 510,000 ounces of gold. In 2012, Goldcorp’s total production from all of its operations is expected to be between 2.35 and 2.45 million ounces of gold.

OMA member profile: Rubicon’s Phoenix Gold Project [Red Lake] — new mines from old sites (5)

August 13, 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.

For Ontario Mining Association member Rubicon Minerals Corporation, like the reference of its name to Roman history, there is no turning back as it advances its Phoenix Gold Project in Red Lake towards adding to the 26 million ounces produced in this historic gold area. Rubicon acquired control of the property in 2002 and it has a bullion production target of the first quarter of 2014.

“This is an interesting and exciting project, which has a history,” said John McDonald, Mine Manager. “It is not often that you can jump relatively quickly from advanced exploration, to mine development and potential production in a short time period.”

Rubicon inherited some infrastructure from what was known as the old McFinley Mine site, which never really was a gold producer. Claims were first staked on this property in 1922 and initial underground exploration took place in 1956. From 1982 to 1989, further exploration was carried out, a shaft was built, three underground levels were developed in the mine, a 150-ton-per-day mill and tailings compound were built and bulk sampling was done on a satellite target, which lies approximately 500 metres away from the eventual discovery.

OMA member profile: Claude Resources Madsen — new mines from old sites (4)

August 10, 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.

Ontario Mining Association member Claude Resources is making progress toward having its Madsen advanced exploration project contribute once again to the total of more than 26 million ounces of gold, which have been produced in the Red Lake district. The Madsen Mine, which is located about 10 kilometres west of Red Lake, operated from 1938 to 1976 and produced more than 2.4 million ounces of gold during that period.

Since taking over the Madsen property in 2008, Claude Resources has been refurbishing the hoist, shaft and headframe, preparing the mine and mill for future production and carrying out further exploration drilling to expand resources. Mitch Kocis, Madsen Project Manager, presides over decades old collections of geological maps of the site.

“This site goes back to the late 1930s and the changes in these maps tell a story,” he said. “You can see the changes in the geologist’s thinking from decade to decade as part of the evolution of this property.” The site has a 4,100-foot-plus shaft, a 500 ton per day mill that could be expanded to 750 tons per day and a tailings management facility in place.

Red Lake amps up electricity fight – by Ian Ross (Northern Ontario Business – July 2012)

July 12, 2012

Out of power?

There’s a “looming electrical power crisis” in Red Lake, one of the world’s gold mining capitals, and its economic development officer is looking to garner regional support to push for transmission line upgrades.

Bill Greenway wants to kick off a lobbying campaign directed at the Ontario Power Authority (OPA) to build a beefed-up transmission line to service a slate of new mine developments.

Since 1930, the Red Lake district has been a consistent producer of high- grade gold. But while much of the province’s power planning attention is directed at the Ring of Fire in the Far North, Greenway feels his town’s concerns have been placed on the backburner.

“I’d like to think we have a Ring of Gold,” said Greenway. He maintains the current 115 kV (kilovolt) high voltage serving Red Lake is inadequate to meet the municipality’s and industry’s future growth needs.

Red Lake mine expansions drive thirst for power – by Ian Ross (Northern Ontario Business – April 17, 2012)

April 18, 2012

Power crunch

Red Lake’s loss may be Thunder Bay’s gain. Power distribution issues in one of Canada’s historic mining districts may force a Vancouver mining company to ship iron ore concentrate – and potential processing jobs – to Thunder Bay.

Northern Iron Corporation is advancing an iron ore property south of Red Lake in anticipation of starting production by late 2015.

But with gold discoveries and mine development in this remote area of northwestern Ontario occurring at a rapid pace, it’s fuelling calls for more transmission capacity.

Company president and CEO Basil Botha doesn’t know if the Ontario Power Authority (OPA) can supply enough juice for a potential mine and mill operation. “Power requirements are of concern going forward.”

Rob McEwen still predicting $5,000 gold – by Dorothy Kosich (Mineweb.com – December 15, 2011)

December 17, 2011

http://www.mineweb.com/

Bullish as ever on gold, Rob McEwen foresees a tough road ahead for mining explorationists and mining developers, who fail to take into account the needs of a non-mining investment community.

RENO – As gold bugs get discouraged in the wake of year-end sell offs, über precious metals mining entrepreneur Rob McEwen still is firmly bullish on gold in the long run and stands pat on his $5,000 per ounce gold price prediction.

In a talk to the Geological Society of Nevada Wednesday in Reno, McEwen urged the audience to “step out of line once in a while” and constantly question fundamental assumptions about geology and discoveries.

During his address, McEwen recalled his own struggles with his senior geologists and the mining analysts who assumed that Goldcorp’s 50-year-old mine in Red Lake, Ontario, was played out. The former mutual fund manager had no mining expertise, but had emerged as Goldcorp’s majority owner.

Rails to the Ring of Fire – Stan Sudol (Toronto Star – May 30, 2011)

September 5, 2016October 5, 2011

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.

For the web’s largest database of articles on the Ring of Fire mining camp, please go to: Ontario’s Ring of Fire Mineral Discovery

“The Ring of Fire railroad should be subsidized by
governments as the huge economic impact will benefit
the economy for decades to come, help balance budgets
and alleviate aboriginal poverty in the surrounding
First Nations communities.” (Stan Sudol)

Notwithstanding the recent correction in commodity prices, near-record highs for gold, silver and a host of base metals essential for industry confirm that the commodity “supercycle” is back and with a vengeance.

China, India, Brazil and many other developing economies are continuing their rapid pace of growth. In 2010, China overtook Japan to become the world’s second largest economy and surpassed the United States to become the biggest producer of cars.

In March, Bank of Canada governor Mark Carney remarked: “Commodity markets are in the midst of a supercycle. . . . Rapid urbanization underpins this growth. . . . Even though history teaches that all booms are finite, this one could go on for some time.”

Quebec’s visionary 25-year “Plan Nord” will see billions invested in northern resource development and infrastructure to take advantage of the tsunami in global metal demand and generate much needed revenue for government programs.

In Ontario, the isolated Ring of Fire mining camp in the James Bay lowlands is one of the most exciting and possibly the richest new Canadian mineral discovery in more than a generation. It has been compared with both the Sudbury Basin and the Abitibi Greenstone belt that includes Timmins, Kirkland Lake, Noranda and Val d’Or.

Ontario Gold Mining – by Stan Sudol

March 22, 2016September 4, 2011

Stan Sudol is a Toronto-based communications consultant and mining columnist. stan.sudol@republicofmining.com

Historically, Ontario’s gold mining industry has played a major role in the settlement of the province’s northern regions and along with the Cobalt silver boom and further gold and base metal discoveries in northwestern Quebec were primarily responsible for the establishment of Toronto as today’s mine financing capital of the world.

The many gold mines that came into production during the Depression of the 1930s made a vital contribution to keeping the province solvent and with over a century of experience building many underground mines helped solidify Ontario’s hard-rock mining expertise that is well respected globally.

However, northern Ontario’s gold rushes have always seemed to play second-fiddle to the legendary Klondike in the Yukon, aided by famous writers like Jack London, Robert W. Service – of the Cremation of Sam McGee fame – and Canadian literary icon, Pierre Berton. At it’s peak, the Klondike gold rush only lasted for a few years – 1896-99 – and produced a miserly 12.5 million ounces of gold. “Chump change” compared to northern Ontario’s four major gold rushes and a number of smaller gold districts, most of which are still producing the precious metal today.