Republic of Mining

Tim Hudak: Ontario should develop Ring of Fire like oilsands – by Tanya Talaga (Toronto Star – June 27, 2012)

June 27, 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.

The mineral rich Ring of Fire is Ontario’s “oilsands” and the province should take a page out of Alberta’s playbook by developing it quickly, says Progressive Conservative Leader Tim Hudak.

The Tory leader visited the remote Ring of Fire area, located nearly 500 kilometres northeast of Thunder Bay, on Monday with other Tory MPPs to survey the swampy earth said to hold more than a $30 billion haul of chromite — the key material used to make stainless steel.

“In many ways, the Ring of Fire is Ontario’s oilsands — an enormous wealth beneath the earth that can break open a new frontier for job creation and investment in our province. Sometimes we look (with) wonder and awe at what Alberta can do; we can do that in Ontario and we can do that with the Ring of Fire,” said Hudak.

However, the Toronto Star reported on Tuesday Environment Canada has raised a number of red flags concerning the development of the area, which calls for an open pit mine and a transportation corridor to be built through one of the last intact boreal forests.

‘Plenty of wealth to share’ in Ring of Fire [PC leader Hudak visits mining camp] – by Ron Grech (Timmins Daily Press – June 26, 2012)

June 26, 2012

The Daily Press is the city of Timmins broadsheet newspaper.

Ontario PC leader tours James Bay lowlands

Ontario Progressive Conservative Leader Tim Hudak believes everybody with an interest in the Ring of Fire needs to keep their eyes on the prize. Hudak spent Monday touring the Noront Resources mining facility operating within the Ring of Fire.

His visit comes just days after First Nation leaders threatened to halt mining operations in the region by presenting an “eviction notice” to companies that have staked claims.

“There is going to be plenty of wealth to share,” Hudak told The Daily Press. “I think if we can align all our incentives towards job creation and new investment, that will probably make the biggest difference ever when it comes to addressing the poverty that afflicts so many of our First Nations, particularly in remote areas.

“This is a once-in-a-century economic development opportunity. It’s breaking a new frontier in job creation and investment in Northern Ontario. It has the possibility of surpassing the Sudbury basin and the Porcupine Gold Camp for mineral potential. We’re talking about over a hundred-billion dollars in value. So we need to move forward.”

Chinese demand for Chile’s copper holds strong – by Pav Jordan (Globe and Mail – June 26, 2012)

June 26, 2012

The Globe and Mail is Canada’s national newspaper with the second largest broadsheet circulation in the country. It has enormous influence on Canada’s political and business elite.

Global copper goliath Chile says Chinese demand for the metal is holding up despite a slowing of China’s economic growth, signaling a continuation of market dynamics that have driven consumption for over a decade.

“We have not seen a relevant decrease with respects to the Chinese market,” Chile’s deputy mining minister, Pablo Wagner, said by telephone from Santiago.

Mr. Wagner pointed to forecasts for a rise in overall copper exports in 2012 of between 5 per cent and 6 per cent over the year-earlier period. “Signs of demand, shipments and inventories, continue to be solid.”

Chile exports about 53 per cent of its copper to China, giving it one of the clearest insights into the demand patterns of the giant Asian economy that has devoured the red metal as it fuels booming economic growth and urbanization. Chile is also home to the world’s largest copper company, state miner Codelco, which is a key business partner of China.

South Africa’s ANC to debate 50% mining tax – by Mike Cohen and Andres R. Martinez (Mineweb.com – June 26, 2012)

June 26, 2012

www.mineweb.com

ANC delegates will this week debate proposals for a mining windfall tax of 50% as an alternative to nationalising mines in the world’s largest producer of platinum, chrome and manganese.

(BLOOMBERG) – South Africa’s ruling African National Congress may endorse plans to raise mining taxes and increase state control over the economy as President Jacob Zuma shores up grassroots support ahead of a party election.

ANC delegates will this week debate proposals for a mining windfall tax of 50 percent as an alternative to nationalizing mines in the world’s largest producer of platinum, chrome and manganese. The plans are contained in draft policy documents to be discussed at a four-day conference in Johannesburg from today. The ANC controls 66 percent of the seats in Parliament.

Zuma, 70, who is seeking a second five-year term at a party election in December, is under pressure from his labor union allies and a growing number of jobless young people to do more to combat poverty and unemployment in Africa’s largest economy. Any attempt to extract more revenue from mining companies such as Impala Platinum Holdings Ltd. and Lonmin Plc risks undermining an industry battered by rising labor costs, electricity shortages and a global economic slowdown.

NEWS RELEASE: NISHNAWBE ASKI NATION BILLS PROVINCE $127-MILLION FOR BENEFITS DERIVED FROM RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT CALLING IT A HISTORIC SWINDLE

June 26, 2012

Tuesday June 26, 2012
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

TORONTO, ON: Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) Grand Chief Stan Beardy presented the Ontario government today with an invoice for $127-million for benefits derived from natural resources extracted from Nishnawbe Aski Nation territories. The annual billing invoice is calculated over 100 years at current day values and represents only a portion of the $32 billion owed.

A NAN Chiefs Resolution was passed in May 2012 where the Chiefs authorized NAN to set up a negotiation committee with a clear mandate to negotiate a resource-revenue sharing agreement on behalf of all NAN First Nations.

“Due to impending developments within the NAN territory, our Chiefs are responding by doing more than monitoring the situation, they are taking action,” said Grand Chief Stan Beardy. “We commissioned a report that focused on resource revenue for the past 100 years and quantified it for the NAN region.”

The report produced by Dr. Fred Lazar of the Schulich School of Business was commissioned in December 2011. The report relied on data from the Chiefs of Ontario Revenue Sharing Report, the Public Accounts of Ontario and various resources quantified for the NAN Region.

Environment Canada raises alarms on chromite mining development in Ring of Fire – by Tanya Talaga (Toronto Star – June 26, 2012)

June 26, 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.

The same toxic material that Erin Brockovich discovered in the water of a small California town could pollute northern Ontario due to chromite mining in the Ring of Fire, documents obtained by the Star show.

Environment Canada has raised a series of red flags regarding a massive chromite mining initiative in the Ring of Fire, located 500 kilometres north of Thunder Bay. The federal ministry warned in a letter to the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency of potential adverse effects of mine waste, including the carcinogen chromium-6.

The letter is further proof of the need for proper environmental assessments on the Ring of Fire — something environmental advocates and First Nations leaders say has yet to happen.

However, Kate Jordan, an official with Ontario Ministry of the Environment, told the Star mining projects undergo “extensive reviews and approvals by a number of provincial and federal agencies” to make sure the environment is protected.

Encana probes collusion accusation – by Shawn McCarthy and Nathan Vanderklippe (Globe and Mail – June 26, 2012)

June 26, 2012

The Globe and Mail is Canada’s national newspaper with the second largest broadsheet circulation in the country. It has enormous influence on Canada’s political and business elite.

Ottawa, Calgary – Encana Corp. has launched an internal investigation after the State of Michigan said it is examining allegations that the company worked with rival Chesapeake Energy Corp. to avoid competing in state land auctions for shale gas.

Michigan’s Department of Natural Resources said it is working with the Attorney-General’s Office to review a series of e-mails, published by the Reuters news agency, that purport to show executives from the two companies discussing joint approaches to bidding.

“Our department is committed to ensuring the integrity of its auctioning process and to receiving fair market value for resources on public land,” Ed Golder, a spokesman for the Department of Natural Resources, said Monday. An official from the U.S. Justice Department declined to comment on whether its antitrust division is looking into the matter.

PM offers help of Canadian forces in Elliot Lake rescue efforts – by Anna Mehler Paperny, Stephen Spencer Davis and Jane Switzer (Globe and Mail – June 26, 2012)

June 26, 2012

The Globe and Mail is Canada’s national newspaper with the second largest broadsheet circulation in the country. It has enormous influence on Canada’s political and business elite.

TORONTO and SUDBURY – A senior Ontario government source said Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty spoke with Prime Minister Stephen Harper Monday night about the situation in Elliot Lake, and asked for federal assistance.

“The prime minister seemed willing and now our officials are working together,” the source said. A spokesman for Mr. Harper said the prime minister has offered the services of the Canadian Forces and other federal resources to assist with the rescue efforts.

Amid suggestions that community volunteers are ready to take matters into their own hands, rescuers will try “drastic” measures to reach possible survivors in a collapsed mall in the northern Ontario community of Elliot Lake.

Crews who were pulled from the Algo Centre Mall over safety fears will have another go at the structure relying on machinery, Fire Chief Paul Officer said. They are acting at the urging of the community and Mr. McGuinty.

Ring of Fire revenue sharing discussions underway – by Rick Garrick (Wawatay News – June 25, 2012)

June 26, 2012

http://wawataynews.ca/

Revenue sharing models are under discussion for the Ring of Fire and NAN territory.

“There are various revenue sharing models that are being examined, in fact as we talk there are discussions taking place between Ontario and First Nation organizations and individual First Nations on revenue resource sharing models,” said Nishnawbe Aski Nation Deputy Grand Chief Les Louttit during his keynote address at the 2nd Annual Ontario Mining Forum, held June 19 at the Valhalla Inn in Thunder Bay.

Louttit cited profit-sharing and giving First Nations a stake in ownership of the companies as examples of what First Nations might be looking for. “In the very near future we will be making a proposal to the government to consider, particularly in terms of the Ring of Fire,” Louttit said. “Those options may include equity interests in mining companies — that’s been done before. But what has not been successfully done to a large degree is profit sharing.”

Louttit said everybody has to benefit from resource development, not just governments and industry. “That can happen if everybody has the will to do that,” Louttit said. “This concept has been introduced and it has received some favourable response, but we are going to be continuing discussions with the province to see how this mechanism can benefit developments in the Nishnawbe Aski territories.”

SA doesn’t just need dirt diggers – by Christy Filen (Mineweb.com – June 25, 2012)

June 25, 2012

www.mineweb.com

According to Dr. Paul Jourdan, South Africa would do better leaving its minerals in the ground if it can’t better link its mining sector to the broader economy

JOHANNESBURG (Mineweb) – Dr Paul Jourdan, who was part of the research team that compiled the ANC’s State Intervention in the Minerals Sector (SIMS) report, has said that South Africa needs more than just dirt diggers in its mining industry and that if the sector does not make the linkages as envisaged in the report then it would be better to leave the minerals in the ground.

“If you say I’m just a dirt digger and this is my core competence then fine, go to Australia. I’m not sure that we want companies that are just going to dig holes. I think that we want companies that are going to make those linkages and build our economy for the future, post mining” said Jourdan.

Speaking at the AngloGold Ashanti and Motjoli Resources Mining for Change breakfast in Johannesburg today, Jourdan described Australia as suffering from the Dutch disease where he said that the current minerals boom is causing de-industrialisation in other parts of their economy.

Exploring the global mineral exploration business

June 25, 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 Boart Longyear provided a glimpse of the growing global mining exploration industry at an investor event held at its North American headquarters in Mississauga recently. An audience of about 50 people including bankers, investors, analysts and Boart Longyear customers were on hand for the presentations.

Setting the stage was Jason Goulden, Vice President Research for the Metals Economics Group (MEG), which is based in Halifax. His company plots trends in exploration spending, locations, commodities and other related data. More than 3,500 companies are interviewed annually for its major survey and it is estimated to take into account 90% to 95% of all mineral exploration spending.

MEG estimates global mineral exploration spending to reach $21 billion in 2012, a 17% increase from the $18 billion invested in mineral exploration in 2011. “This is a small change in what we have seen in the past few years, but it is still an increase,” said Mr. Goulden.

NEWS RELEASE: Vale Canada Limited and Sagamok Anishnawbek celebrate a solidified partnership for Totten Mine

June 25, 2012

(L to R) Kelly Strong, Vale’s Vice President of Mining & Milling (North Atlantic) and General Manager Ontario Operations, and Chief Paul Eshkakogan, Chief of Sagamok Anishnawbek, formally sign an Impacts and Benefits Agreement during Treaty Day celebrations at Sagamok Anishnawbek First Nation on June 22, 2012.

For immediate release

June 25, 2012

Massey, Ontario – On Friday June 22, 2012 Paul Eshkakogan, Chief of Sagamok Anishnawbek and Kelly Strong, Vale’s Vice President of Mining and Milling for the North Atlantic Region, solidified their working relationship regarding Vale’s Totten Mine with the signing of an Impacts and Benefits Agreement during Treaty Day celebrations at Sagamok Anishnawbek First Nation.

““The signing of this agreement represents the culmination of many years of fruitful discussion with Vale as well as commitment by our community to a prosperous future” said Chief Eshkakogan. “It provides a basis for Sagamok Anishnawbek to effectively participate in the Totten Mine Project, to share directly in the economic and other benefits associated with it, and to continue to fulfill environmental stewardship responsibilities within our traditional and treaty territory.”

The Impacts and Benefits Agreement formalizes the ways in which Vale and Sagamok will work together to advance their shared interest in building and sustaining a mutually beneficial working relationship throughout the life of the mine.

Ontarians question smelter site: poll – Carl Clutchey (Thunder Bay Chronicle-Journal – June 25, 2012)

June 25, 2012

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

A majority of 1,000 Ontarians surveyed in a poll about mining development in the Ring of Fire belt said the ore should be processed in First Nation territory in the vicinity of the proposed mine site.

But while the poll results pleased area First Nation leaders, they seem moot because leading Ring of Fire proponent Cliffs Natural Resources said earlier this spring that chromite ore will be processed on the outskirts of Sudbury.

The OraclePoll Research telephone poll was commissioned by the Municipality of Greenstone and Aroland First Nation. Both communities want Cliffs to build the company’s 300-megawatt smelter on the outskirts of Aroland.

The poll results showed that 45 per cent of respondents believe that the ore should be smelted in the First Nation traditional territory from which it is mined. In a news release Friday, Aroland Chief Sonny Gagnon said the poll “validates what we have known for a long time.

[Sudbury] 6500 prez vows to continue mining inquiry fight – by Heidi Ulrichsen (Sudbury Northern Life – June 24, 2012)

June 25, 2012

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

No mining inquiry for now, premier says

Steelworkers Local 6500 president Rick Bertrand vows to continue to push for an inquiry into mining practices in Ontario in the wake of the premier’s assertion that the province is not currently contemplating such an inquiry. Thousands of postcards have been sent to Minister of Labour Linda Jeffrey, urging her to launch the inquiry.

Bertrand said he plans to continue with the postcard campaign, which was launched in April by the Steelworkers and Lougheed Funeral Homes managing director Gerry Lougheed Jr. “I’m going to continue to focus on getting the cards signed and sending them out, and pushing for this mining inquiry,” he said, speaking to Northern Life June 23. “We’re not going to stop here.”

Premier Dalton McGuinty made his statements on the subject in response to a reporter’s question after the June 22 groundbreaking ceremony for Vale’s Clean AER project. “We’re not contemplating at this time, any specific inquiry into one incident, or mining generally,” the premier said.

He did say that a coroner’s inquest will examine the miners’ deaths, and also pointed out that Ministry of Labour recently laid charges against Vale and one of its supervisors under the Occupational Health and Safety Act.

A glimmer of hope [Ontario Northland] – by Carol Mulligan (Sudbury Star – June 25, 2012)

June 25, 2012

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

Premier Dalton McGuinty commended 200 protesters for staging a rally called Ontario Northland is Not For Sale on the campus of Laurentian University on Saturday where he was attending the Ontario Liberal Party Provincial Council.

McGuinty wouldn’t meet with protesters outside the Great Hall where he spoke to party faithful. But he did make a promise indoors to Liberals and to reporters that every town in Northern Ontario that now has ONTC bus service will continue to have it after the province sells off the Crown agency.

McGuinty credited people attending the rally for being respectful of the proceedings indoors, where he said his government can no longer afford to subsidize the rail and bus transportation service. McGuinty said the Liberals have spent more than three times as much on the agency as the last two governments did.

His government will work with communities to ensure “as smooth a transition as possible” of the operation from government to whoever purchases it.