Total co-operation key in getting Ring of Fire production underway by 2015

The province, mining companies and First Nation communities have a lot of work to do if they want Ring of Fire development to begin by 2015, says Ontario’s Ring of Fire co-ordinator.

Christine Kaszycki said with 35 companies holding 30,000 claims in the mineral rich area, 2015 will only happen if things run as smooth as possible. Kaszycki was speaking at the Matawa First Nations Community Governance and Economic Development Conference at the Valhalla Inn in Thunder Bay Tuesday.

She said the province is working toward helping First Nation communities.

"We do have a lot of work to do to ensure that communities do have the right capacity supports in place to allow them to meaningfully participate," she said.

Meeting with community members at the conference is an excellent way to help move Ring of Fire development forward Kaszycki said.

"I think it’s an excellent opportunity to network with community representatives," Kaszycki said.

The two day conference wraps up Wednesday.