THUNDER BAY - After mineral exploration was shuttered in April due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Noront Resources is returning to the Ring of Fire site to resume operations.
Noront will be reopening its Esker site and resume exploration activities in the Ring of Fire.
“We are initiating a late summer field program that will require 12-15 people during which we’ll employ soil sampling to explore for gold and airborne geophysical surveys to explore for nickel,” said Noront President and CEO Alan Coutts in a media release.
The Esker site, located in the James Bay Lowlands, was closed in April to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
According to a statement issued by Noront, back-to-work protocols are in place, including ensuring all workers are symptom free before travelling to the site.
Only essential workers will be travelling to the site to limit the number of flights and everyone must practice physical distancing and wear a mask when necessary.
“At no point will Noront flights will be landing in either Webequie or Marten Falls First Nation as per guidance from the local Chiefs and Councils,” the statement reads.
Noront also provided an update on its Eagle’s Nest nickel-copper-platimum deposit.
“Now that all sections of the North-South All-Season Access Road have proponents, funding, and are advancing their Environmental Assessment (EA) processes, Noront will re-initiate EA activities for its Eagle’s Nest nickel-copper-platinum group element deposit,” the statement reads.
“Because an all-season access road was originally part of the Eagle’s Nest Terms of Reference, Noront will submit a request for the access road to be excluded and for an adjusted Terms of Reference to be issued by the province of Ontario.”
The Ring of Fire is a large chromite deposit in the James Bay Lowlands.
Noront has been working since 2015 to consolidate its land position in the Ring of Fire and controls the majority of claims in the area.
