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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