Rickford provides update on Ring of Fire

Written by Brenden Harris on Sunday, 02 February 2014

http://www.kenoraonline.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=7889&Itemid=160

Dave Canfield, Greg Rickford and Michael Gravelle at a meeting in Kenora

Work continues to move mining projects forward in the Ring of Fire. Kenora MP and Minister in charge of the Ring of Fire Greg Rickford says he's been meeting with Northern Development and Mines Minister Michael Gravelle to discuss the policies and opportunities.

"We've had very productive conversations and meetings around the idea of looking at all of the policy options moving forward. We remain committed to the training investments we've made for First Nations communities in those regards, and putting our communities in the best possible positions to move forward with the Ring of Fire," he said.

He notes a recent announcement made by himself and Gravelle in Greenstone as one of the recent steps taken to promote mining activity in the region.

"We remain committed to development on Ring of Fire. We've been involved involved quite recently up in Greenstone in a project that will create new opportunities for people in that area. Not just for the forest sector, but for the Ring of Fire," he said.

Rickford also says it's good to see mining companies step up, following Cliff's Natural Resources' decision to step back from the project. He says Noront Resources has become one of the leads on the project.

"Noront is now leading the charge. They were perhaps a little underestimated. In the wake of Cliff's very clear announcement, Noront is moving ahead with the environmental assessment process. We're all very hopeful that that will go live sooner rather than later," he said.

He says they're going to continue to invest in communities on a project to project basis, in order to address needs like infrastructure.

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