Lock and Load...Time for the Feds and Matawa to Takeover
posted on
May 30, 2018 10:29AM
NI 43-101 Update (September 2012): 11.1 Mt @ 1.68% Ni, 0.87% Cu, 0.89 gpt Pt and 3.09 gpt Pd and 0.18 gpt Au (Proven & Probable Reserves) / 8.9 Mt @ 1.10% Ni, 1.14% Cu, 1.16 gpt Pt and 3.49 gpt Pd and 0.30 gpt Au (Inferred Resource)
Their is obvious worry on both sides of the border that trade disruption between Canada and the US is something that just cannot happen; NAFTA or not. The two words that I keep hearing spoken are those of "National Security" (US), and "National Priority" (CAN) and it just so happens the Ring of Fire falls into both. Something tells me that just like Kinder Morgan the Federal Government is going to get, pardon the expression, "Fed Up" with all the impending delays on the Ring of Fire file. So much so that they will take it away from the province under the banner of "National Priority", and together with their new Indigenous partners will leave the province behind regardless of who is in power. It seems the only thing here getting in the way of the Ring of Fire has been provincial politics, because the Feds had always said, "Show us a plan and we will be more than happy to support the Ring with funding". Well, I have to say it but if Wynne doesn't get in then there is no plan in sight for the immediate future....So buckle in.
We can only hope that Justin and Matawa have a plan, because the province sure the "H" won't. Time to step this file up to the Federal level, keep it under Liberal jurisdiction, allow Matawa to partner in resource revenue generation, and maintain the Ring's momentum. The province has dropped the ball. It's now time for the Feds to pick it up; just like Kinder Morgan.
The long overdue construction of a second super lock in Sault Ste. Marie, Mich. has emerged as a U.S. national security issue.
It’s prompted the House of Representatives to direct the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to accelerate the construction of a second large lock to handle the biggest ships on the Great Lakes, according to a news release from the Lake Carriers Association.
The Committee on Armed Service’s report on the National Defense Authorization Act of 2019 passed the House this week by a vote of 351-66, urging the Corps of Engineers and all involved executive branch to expedite the process toward construction.
The Soo Locks are the only marine connection between Lake Superior and lower Great Lakes.
Only one lock, the 50-year-old Poe, can accommodate the 1,000-foot carriers that transport the majority of coal used in power generation and iron ore used in domestic steel production.
Should the Poe Lock ever be put out of commission, it would have a drastic impact on U.S. manufacturing’s supply chain and would cripple steel production.
In 2017, the Poe handled virtually all of the 39 million tons of iron ore passing through the Soo Locks destined for American steelmakers.
The Lake Carriers Association gave credit to Michigan Congressman Paul Mitchell who’s “been a tireless advocate for a second Poe-sized lock and Great Lakes shipping in general,” according to Jim Weakley, president of the Cleveland-based trade association representing U.S.-flag vessels operators on the lakes.
“Michigan would be the state hardest hit by a lengthy failure of the Poe Lock,” said Weakley.
“A Department of Homeland Security study determined a six-month closure of the Poe Lock would push Michigan’s unemployment rate to nearly 23 percent. Nationwide, 11 million Americans would lose their jobs. We must build a second Poe-sized lock as soon as possible.”
Congress authorized construction of a second Poe-sized lock in 1986, but the project stalled due to an inaccurate Corps estimate of its benefits.
An economic reevaluation report is expected soon and the updated benefits estimate should enable the project to be funded.
President Donald Trump pledged his support for a second Poe-sized lock at a rally in Washington Township, Mich. on April 28.
“The Soo Locks are going to hell. You know that, right? And we’re going to get them fixed up.”