Show us the ring of fire plan, says Rickford to province: federal cabinet criticizes Ring of Fire development corp.

• Author: Ross, Ian
• Position: MINING

Federal Natural Resources and FedNor Minister Greg Rickford remains optimistic about the future prospects for the Ring of Fire despite the slow exit of Cliffs Natural Resources from Ontario.

But the Kenora MP stuck to the federal government's line that the province must identify "focussed infrastructure projects" before Ottawa is prepared to spring for any dollars to help the Wynne government develop a transportation corridor to reach the stranded chromite and nickel deposits in the James Bay region.

"I remain confident that the province will come to understand that that's what Northern Ontarians expect on this legacy resource development project."

Rickford was in Sudbury Dec. 4 to announce the Community Investment Initiative for Northern Ontario, a FedNor program that sets aside $3 million for small towns and remote First Nations to hire economic development officers to advance local projects in their communities.

At a recent Canadian Aboriginal Minerals Association conference in Toronto, Rick-ford said he heard "loud and clear" about the infrastructure issues from mining companies like Noront Resources and the chiefs of the Matawa First Nations representing the communities closest to the Ring.

However, Rickford said there remain barriers that the province must first address. including the ramifications of an Ontario court ruling which set aside a decision of the Ontario Lands and Mining Commissioner which will have a major impact on the direction of roads for a transportation corridor.

Overland access problems, unresolved issues with Queen's Park, and a new management team are among the reasons Cliffs Natural Resources is citing for giving up on developing its Black Thor chromite project in the James Bay area, but other junior miners still retain properties there.

With exploration stalled in the Far North, the provincial government has pledged $1 billion toward the Ring of Fire development and has repeatedly called out the feds for not providing matching dollars.

Rickford wouldn't divulge when Ottawa would be ready to make an investment on any mining-related infrastructure, but hinted it's not far away.

"My understanding is that proponents are looking at options, including FedNor, to make applications, so I would expect (something) sooner rather than later."

He also panned the province's Ring of Fire Infrastructure Development Corporation, saying neither Ottawa, First Nations, nor industry were ever...