Four short lines in the Ontario budget about the Ring of Fire isn’t enough for mining companies to hang their hats on, says the head of the Ontario Prospector’s Association.
“There wasn’t anything in there for us,” said Garry Clark, reacting to Tuesday’s much anticipated budget, which suggested the province has a plan for Ontario’s resource-rich north, one which a government officials said the Ministry of Northern Development and Mines is not prepared to release at this time.
“Right now we’re in ongoing discussions with Cliffs Natural Resources and it’s a multifaceted discussion because you can appreciate being in that area there’s a lot of moving parts,” said Adrian Kupesic spokesman for Mines Minister Rick Bartolucci, reached via phone.
“It’s something we’re in discussions with and it’s something we can’t really get into specifics on at this particular time. We’ve always had a plan in regards to the Ring of Fire and it is something we’re moving forward on. I don’t think it’s fair to put a timeline on it because the discussions will take as long as they have to. Cliffs has said publically they could have a mine in full production by 2015-2016. I think that’s an optimistic sign.”
Earlier this year, in a visit to Thunder Bay, Premier Dalton McGuinty confirmed the importance of the Ring of Fire to Ontario’s economic future and sustainability, which left Clark shaking his head after the budget announcement.
“I would have thought there would have been a more solid commitment to it,” he said.
“There’s been a lot of planning since the premier’s mentioned it in his various speeches and something on the line of infrastructure, on the line of a commitment, even on training, would have been a good thing to see.”
Clark went on to say that industry is looking for answers on getting power to the mineral-rich deposit, located some 500 kilometres northwest of Thunder Bay, as well as a transportation piece to move equipment in and raw materials out of the three-decade or more lifespan of the Ring of Fire.
“The exploration business is doing well. We’ve got a lot people on the land, exploring. Commodity prices are up and you think it would be more of a solid piece in the economic redevelopment.”
Nishnawbe Aski Nation Deputy Grand Chief Terry Waboose wasn’t feeling too much kinder toward the province on Wednesday, equally disappointed the Ring of Fire appears to be playing such a minor role in the government’s plan moving forward.
Waboose said he understands Ontario is going through tough economic times, but First Nations issues have all but been ignored by the province.
Front and centre is the Ring of Fire, Waboose said.
“I was disappointed that I didn’t see any specifics in terms of strategic investments that they were willing to make in infrastructure, how they’re going to address the energy issue and how to access it as well. But more importantly, how are they going to invest resources into the First Nations so they can participate in their development of the Ring of Fire,” Waboose said.
“There should be specifics now, if it’s going to happen over the next couple of years.”
