The Ring of Fire mining development is a step closer.
The provincial government signed an agreement with Marten Falls and Webequie First Nation to build an all-weather road.
Northern Development and Mines Minister Greg Rickford says this is a historic agreement.
“Developing a reliable all-season road infrastructure including today the Northern Link Road will bring monumental social, health and economic benefits to communities most proximal to what we refer to as the Ring of Fire,” states Rickford.
Webequiue Chief Cornelius Wabasse says the Northern Link road will be of great benefit for his community.
“A future that offers improved access to health and social services, education, employment, business and other lifestyle opportunities…so it’s a great day.”
The agreement for the Northern Link Road was signed at the Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada convention on Monday afternoon in Toronto.
Meanwhile, a group of Indigenous, municipal and business leaders continue to push for a study on access roads to the Ring of Fire chromite deposit.
Members of the East-West Ring of Fire Road Coalition were at the Ontario Legislature today to support their call for an Environmental Assessment of all access road alternatives, including one starting in the Sioux Lookout area.
Mayor Doug Lawrance says they are pleased to see the announcement of the Federal Regional EA process and are reminding both levels of senior government of the importance of considering all routes.
Lawrance notes a regional plan would benefit First Nations communities, mining development and other activities in the area, stressing all options need to be considered with care.
He has been a strong supporter of an east-west corridor to the mining project.
