https://business.financialpost.com/commodities/mining/accidental-gold-discovery-in-ring-of-fire-prompts-noront-resources-to-seek-exploration-partner

'Accidental' gold discovery in Ring of Fire prompts Noront Resources to seek exploration partner

Ring of Fire has good gold potential, CEO says: 'It’s the right rocks, the right age, but we just really haven’t got around to dealing with the gold'

The Ring of Fire is isolated with no road access. Establishing a gold mine there makes sense as the metal is so valuable that it is often flown out of remote areas.HO/AFP/Getty Imags files

Gabriel Friedman

July 1, 2018
6:15 AM EDT

Last Updated
July 1, 2018
6:15 AM EDT

Noront Resources Ltd. is looking to partner with a gold company as it continues to lead exploration of the Ring of Fire, a vast isolated area in northwestern Ontario with untapped mineral resources.

The company has proven nickel and chromite deposits in the Ring of Fire, but those base metals are too heavy to transport out of the area, given the current lack of road access. Gold, on the other hand, is so valuable that it is often flown out of remote areas.

A road could take a minimum of five years to build, chief executive Alan Coutts said, so in the meantime the company has initiated discussions with several intermediate to senior gold producers, in Canada and elsewhere, about striking a joint partnership to explore for gold.

“We know there’s good gold potential in this area,” he said. “It’s the right rocks, the right age, but we just really haven’t got around to dealing with the gold, so we’re looking for a partner.”