Ontario's Ring of Fire Coordinator contends development in the burgeoning James Bay mineral exploration camps is progressing despite an MPP's assertions that Queen's Park is mismanaging provincial oversight of the region.

Christine Kaszycki was responding to Nipissing MPP Vic Fedeli's remarks that the Ontario government was stalling development because she admitted to him in a recent conversation that she had never physically visited the remote drill camps.

Fedeli called into question the province's commitment to the timely advancement of the emerging mining district.

Kaszycki said she has been to the Ring of Fire region “several times” and “had an opportunity to fly over the sites.”

Kaszycki, a trained geologist, said she has made trips into the communities in the vicinity of the Ring of Fire and understands all elements of the project.

“In my previous life, I have visited exploration camps, so I'm aware of that aspect of the operation.”

The Ring of Fire Coordinator was a provincially-appointed position created to advance economic opportunities in the remote mining district, 530 kilometres northeast of Thunder Bay.

Kaszycki, a former deputy minister with the Ministry of Northern Development and Mines, was appointed to the position in September, 2010.

“I'm not saying it's not important (to go to the drill sites), but at the end of day we have a variety of different ways to ensure that we've got the right kinds of controls in place.”

Kaszycki said Ministry of Northern Development and Mines staff have made three trips in the last 18 months to the various company camps for site inspections and to chart the miners' progress.

“OGS (Ontario Geological Survey) crews have stayed in those camps last summer,” she said. “We have taken steps to ensure that we know what's going on and how things are being done.”

She said her Ring of Fire staff are planning an upcoming visit to the camps, “and hopefully I'll be able to participate.”

She expressed surprise at Fedeli's claims that the companies operating there are delaying their development timelines by a year, adding that the companies have been “consistent in their messaging” about staying on schedule.

The Ring of Fire Coordinator office consists of eight staff in Sudbury, Thunder Bay and Toronto