FP/CP say Noront praises Ontario's Ring of Fire boost

The Financial Post reports in its Tuesday, April 29, edition that Ontario's governing Liberals say they are willing to put up $1-billion to develop an all-season transportation corridor to the Ring of Fire if the federal Conservatives match the funds. A Canadian Press dispatch to the Post reports that the Liberals say Ottawa must help bear the cost of building the infrastructure that is needed to develop the mineral-rich region, create jobs and boost Northern Ontario's hard-hit economy. The province has maintained that the Harper Conservatives should be actively involved in the Ring of Fire's development as they have for other projects, such as the Alberta oil sands. The lack of a transportation route has been a major barrier to developing the Ring of Fire. Noront Resources wants to develop its Eagle's Nest and Blackbird mining projects. It says Ontario's commitment is a "vital milestone" that will benefit remote first nations communities. "Mining and the associated job creation can't happen without infrastructure, so we are pleased to see the province make a clear public commitment to funding a transportation corridor in the Ring of Fire," says Noront chief executive officer Alan Coutts.