RING OF FIRE: Province to fund road proposals led by First Nations

TORONTO – Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynn and the chiefs of Marten Falls, Webequie and Nibiminik First Nations jointly announced that the province will commit to funding two First Nations road proposals that will provide necessary infrastructure for mining development in the Ring of Fire. [caption id="attachment_1003719683" align="alignright" width="375"] Noront continues to drill at its Ring of Fire properties. (Credit: Cyr Drilling)[/caption] The first proposal is an east-west road connecting Webequie and Nibiminik First Nations to the provincial highway system north of Pickle Lake. The road will then continue from Webequie to the Ring of Fire. The second proposal is a north-south community access road as planned by the Marten Falls First Nation. Extending the road to the Ring of Fire to support chromite development is an option. An environmental study of both projects is expected to begin by January 2018, followed by construction in 2019 pending all necessary approvals. This is the first concrete step the province has taken toward infrastructure development to support mining projects in the Ring of Fire. Having access will allow Noront Resources to advance pre-development work at the Eagle’s Nest nickel-copper-platinum group project. Construction would then take three years, said the company. Noront signed an exploration and project advancement agreement with the Marten Falls First Nation in April 2017. Still ahead is the negotiation of similar agreements with other First Nations. Full details about Noront’s plans for Eagle’s Nest are available at www.NorontResources.com.