Noront Resources Overview

Noront Resources, a Canadian-based mining company, has the largest land position in the Ring of Fire and aims to be the first mine there.  Click the links below to look at more information on Noront Resources.  Explore the Eagle's Nest Mine project, a high-grade nickel-copper-platinum group element deposit located in the Ring of Fire region.

Noront Resources

Eagle's Nest Mine

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A Discussion about the Infrastructure at the Ring of Fire

There is a lot of people pointing to the infrastructure as the biggest setback in the ring of fire. There is currently no good way to get there year-round, and not nearly enough power. Before construction begins, roads need to be built, and there needs to be some word on how the plants are going to be powered. Note that this is an opinion, what I think is the best solution for the issue.

For transportation, I believe that having a north south service road, accompanied by a rail line is the best solution. Rail is necessary in my opinion, since there is going to be a large volume of heavy metals being transported every day. The volume that is going to be transported makes a road and trucks just not feasible. Nakina is a town that is almost directly south from the ring of fire, and is in desperate need of something to bring people back. Having it as a crossroads for this rail line could breathe life back into the town. It is also in the middle of Timmins and Thunder Bay, which are the larger communities of the area. This gives it better access to the outer world than an east west line. Also, Nakina already has a rail line running through it, and as such is the shortest distance to connect to the existing network.

For power, I think that the choice should be obvious. It needs to be renewable, and having a combination of solar and wind is the best way to do this. Renewable energy is a cheaper option, obviously more sustainable, and something that the first nations want in the area anyway. Transporting the chromite and nickel away from the site is going to be challenging, but adding shipments of coal going to the site would make this extremely logistically difficult. Mining projects get enough flak from environmentalists as it is. Adding a coal power plant to the mix would make it even worse.

Feel free to comment and discuss.

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Renewable energy is a cheaper power source for mining operations

The only power source in the far north of Ontario is diesel power plants. This is one of the biggest barriers to entry for the mining industry in the ring of fire. Some parties want to simply install more diesel plants for the mines. There is a lot of opposition to this, and rightfully so. Cleantechnica.com is reporting that using renewable energy sources can be up to 70% cheaper than using diesel plants. This is big news for new developments in the ring of fire. Many Aboriginal sources have wanted renewable energy for a long time, and this could be the tipping point for the businesses to join the renewable energy crusade.

http://cleantechnica.com/2014/11/01/renewable-energy-can-cost-70-less-diesel-power-mining-sites/

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Proposed access road/rail link

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/industry-news/energy-
and-resources/hopes-for-ontarios-ring-of-fire-doused-as-mining-companies-grow-wary/article21216171/ion

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What's been going on lately with the Ring of Fire?

Ring of Fire development continues to be disturbed for various reasons.  Protection of the area’s irreplaceable values such as first nation beliefs, wildlife, and the large carbon storehouse are being threatened by the development.  Delays in the Ontario government are slowing down the federal government’s plan to invest infrastructure.  This in turn is slowing down the development of a transportation route to the Ring of Fire mineral deposit. 

Eventually certain First Nation groups discussed requirements for Noront’s proposed Eagle Nest Project with Noront Resources and the provincial government.  First Nation support in the Ring of Fire development will only be given if specific requests are followed along with more communication between everyone.  The demand for respect of First Nation laws and treaty along with Howard Hampton advising federal NDP on the Ring of Fire have contributed to the process of getting the development started. 

For the Ring of Fire mining development to begin, several issues must be resolved.  Continuous discussion with First Nations, environmental studies, and federal government engagement are all positive contributions to the Ring of Fire that can help speed up this process.

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A new voice to help discussions

The ring of fire in Ontario has been an issue that has stayed mostly in the province. There hasn't been a lot of talk with the federal government to date. However, this may change soon enough. The official opposition have hired Howard Hampton to advise them on the issues that surround the ring of fire. This could bring a breath of fresh air to the discussion table, and may get things moving along more quickly. Although it is the federal government, so I wouldn't get my hopes up.

http://www.thesudburystar.com/2014/11/05/hampton-to-advise-federal-ndp-on-ring-of-fire

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Ring of Fire First Nations Demand Respect for their Laws and Treaty

The provincial government, Noront Resources, and the First Nations met to discuss the requirements for Noront's proposed Eagle Nest Project to proceed. The three First Nations: Marten Falls, Webequie, and Neskantaga, all agree that there has been no meaningful discussion and engagement on Noront's proposed development and permits.

To read more click the link below!

 http://www.republicofmining.com/2014/11/05/news-release-ring-of-fire-first-nations-demand-respect-for-their-laws-and-treaty/#more-36726

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Still no Ring of Fire plan, says fed finance minister

Federal Finance Minister Joe Oliver
http://www.northernontariobusiness.com/Industry-News/mining/2014/
11/Still-no-Ring-of-Fire-plan,-says-fed-finance-minister.aspx

"Federal Finance Minister Joe Oliver says the Ontario government is causing delays in the federal government's plan to devote nearly $11 billion to infrastructure investments in the province over the coming years, according to a Canadian Press story.

Oliver said Oct. 3 in Toronto that he was still waiting for the Liberal government to submit its list of preferred infrastructure projects under the Building Canada Plan, which is designed to give predictable long-term funding to provinces and territories."

Click here to read more

Northern Ontario Business Staff. (2014). Still no ring of fire plan, says fed finance minister. Northern Ontario      Business. Retrieved from http://www.northernontariobusiness.com/Industry-News/mining/2014/11/Still-no-Ring-of-Fire-plan,-says-fed-finance-minister.aspx

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Ring of Fire Region Needs Protection

Anna Baggio, a director and conservation planner of the CPAWS Wildlands League, looks into the ecological aspects of the Ring of Fire.  Concerns are listed to preserve this irreplaceable environment such as harm to wildlife, First Nations issues, and climate management.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/rob-commentary/rob-letters/oct-31-canadian-insurers-lead-adaptation-and-other-letters-to-the-rob-editor/article21414541/

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A review of the activities in the ring of fire

Since the start of this blog there has been a lot of talk but not a lot of action. Many companies have big plans to develop in the North of Ontario, but there is no ground work that has been laid. The provincial government has already committed $1 billion for infrastructure upgrades. These upgrades need to be completed before any mines can be opened, since the area is so remote. This is essentially creating a log jam of bureaucracy. The government doesn't want to build until they know that the companies are committed to the area. The companies don't want to commit until they know that there will be an adequate infrastructure for them to use.

Essentially, this is an area that has a lot of potential in an untapped part of Canada. This could generate a lot of money for an area that doesn't have much, but would also have severe environmental consequences. We think that mines will develop eventually, but the real question worth asking is when? It would be hard for the government to justify spending money on an infrastructure now if it is only going to be used in 20 years. In the same breath, the mining companies need to make sure that they are going to make money off of their mines. Only time will tell what actually happens, but there is a lot of optimism right now.

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Conflicting statements and second guesses create tension between the mining companies and the government

The CBC is reporting that the CEO of Cliff's Natural Resources says that there is "no hope" for new mining operations in the ring of fire in the near future. The provincial government was startled by this announcement, especially since there are upwards of 20 mining companies that are interested in developing the area. The provincial government is still going to move forward with its plans, regardless of these statements. This could create some unnecessary tensions in the future. 

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/thunder-bay/ring-of-fire-zero-hope-comment-startles-mining-minister-1.2818963

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Renewable Energy and the Ring of Fire

The aboriginal communities in northern Ontario have been using diesel gas power plants for many years now. The regular Ontario hydro grid doesn't reach to them. The diesel plants are being used to capacity currently. This means that new power infrastructure is going to have to be put in place for large mines to operate in Ontario's north. The aboriginal community is pushing hard for the new power options to be renewable. Of course, this is great news for the environmentalists of the province. Unfortunately, installing a completely new power infrastructure based off of renewable sources is easier said than done (and it's quite the mouthful at that!). The main issue that renewable sources see is the start up cost, and this is no different. The mining companies are saying that as nice as it would be to have renewable sources, it doesn't make sense economically for them. This debate will have a huge impact on the development of the mines, and the sustainability of the project. We are very interested to see how this story is going to unfold. 

Read more here: http://www.miningweekly.com/article/renewable-energy-a-tough-sell-for-prospective-rof-developers-2014-10-16

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Noront Resources hopes to start building the first mine in the Ring of Fire

As a step forward in Northern development, Noront Resources plans to be the first mine in the Ring of Fire that could potentially be an economic saviour in Northern Ontario.  The Noront Resource camp will combine with Cliffs Natural Resources' camp to become a construction base for the mine. Click the link below to hear an interview with Noront's CEO Alan Coutts.

http://www.cbc.ca/player/Radio/Local+Shows/Ontario/Up+North/ID/2548840511/

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Steps are being made, but not everyone is happy.

Premier Wynne gave her proposal for a few different things in northern Ontario pertaining to the ring of fire. The main issue with her proposals was that the first nations were not included at all in the decisions. There could be even more political issues going forward as a result of this.

http://www.northernontariobusiness.com/search.aspx?q=when%20will%20this%20horse%20drink

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Michael Gravelle on negotiations between mining companies and First Nations

The Minister of Northern Development and Mines, Michael Gravelle talks with CBC Radio to discuss the difficulties in negotiations between mining companies and First Nation communities, touching on the Ring of Fire and resource revenue sharing.  Click the following link to listen!

http://www.cbc.ca/player/AudioMobile/Morning%2BNorth/ID/2539402855/

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Mining in Northern Ontario may shift the focus to the North

It is well known that Ontario's government focuses on the south. Toronto is in southern Ontario, and it's the center of the universe, so why wouldn't the focus of politics be on the south? Well, the new mining developments could very well change that focus. James Murray does a good job explaining that mining may well turn the North into the future of Ontario, and what needs to be done to accommodate this. It's well worth the read.

http://www.netnewsledger.com/2014/09/26/we-are-the-future-of-ontario-dave-canfield/


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An Introduction to Northern Ontario's Ring of Fire

http://www.mri.gov.on.ca/obr/?p=1529

Northern Ontario is the home to the Ring of Fire Belt, a chromite mining and smelting development project located in James Bay Lowlands (Rocha & Guttsman, 2013).  Job opportunities arise from the abundance of minerals in this location, making this an area of high importance (Ontario Nature, 2013).  In fact, experts say that there is enough chromite to sustain North America's needs for about two centuries (Ontario Business Report, 2012). Many challenges face the development of the Ring of Fire including issues with accessibility to the remote region, infrastructure deficits, environmental issues, and most importantly First Nations land rights (Rocha & Guttsman, 2013).  The high amounts of staking and mineral development in the Ring of Fire has caused First Nation confrontation to occur. The First Nations have constitutional rights to be consulted on land use decisions that may affect Aboriginal and treaty rights (Ontario Nature, 2013).  The issue of conforming to these rights is still occurring today...

Interested in the topic!? Visit our blog bi-weekly for updates!

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References

Ontario Business Report. (2012). Ring of fire lights up northern ontario’s mining industry. Retrieved from http://www.mri.gov.on.ca/obr/?p=1529

Ontario Nature. (2013). Ring of fire mining. Retrieved from http://www.ontarionature.org/protect/campaigns/ring_of_fire.php

Rocha, E., & Guttsman, J. (2013). Canada sees decades of gains from ring of fire deposit. Reuters, Retrieved from http://ca.reuters.com/article/businessNews/idCABRE92A15V20130312