The Ring of Fire News blog shares public information in accordance with the Fair Dealing provisions (§29) of the Copyright Act, and is not responsible for the accuracy of the original material. Inclusion of material or sources here should not imply endorsement or otherwise by the Ring of Fire News blog. OPEN SOURCE INFORMATION Ring of Fire Date Details/source 28 Apr 12 City of Thunder Bay Proposal 24/2012 – Mining Readiness Strategy: An Integrated Regional Economic Development Plan (2012- 2015) The City of Thunder Bay invites proposals as listed above …. Up to but not later than 4pm, TUESDAY MAY 29, 2012….” http://www.thunderbay.ca/Doing_Business/bids_and_tenders/Page4166.aspx?fuseahttp://www.thunderbay.ca/Doing_Business/bids_and_tenders/Page4166.aspx?fuseaction=TenderDetails&tid=7974ction=TenderDetails&tid=7974 or http://bit.ly/KkLiZhhttp://bit.ly/KkLiZh (Bid documents downloadable - 27 page PDF at xxxxxx) "MacDonald Mines Exploration Ltd. and Kasabonika Lake First Nation have signed an exploration agreement covering the mining company’s activities in the First Nation’s traditional lands in Ontario;s far north. The three-year accord allows MacDonald Mines unrestricted access to explore any of its registered mineral properties in Kasabonika lands. Community benefits include shares and warrants, a one-time lump payment and ongoing payments tied to exploration expenditures. In addition, there is a potential business relationship on the mineral properties of the First Nation’s Kasabonika Minerals Corporation. In a Friday release published by Republic of Mining, company president and CEO Kirk McKinnon thanked Chief Eno Anderson and his council “for their time and desire to reach a fair and responsible agreement.” The negotiating process has allowed MacDonald Mines to see and understand “the important relationship that the Kasabonika Lake First Nation has and enjoys with their traditional lands,” he said ...." http:http://insupportofmining.wordpress.com/2012/04/28/ring//insupportofmining.wordpress.com/2012/04/28/ring-ofof-firefire-fnfn-signssigns-explorationexploration-deal/deal/ "Delegates grilled three Ontario cabinet ministers and a parliamentary assistant on progress with the Ring of Fire, the closure of regional Tourist Information Centres, education and training initiaitvies and infrastructure funding at the Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association (NOMA) annual meeting in Kenora, Friday, April 27. NOMA president Ron Nelson served as moderator for the minister’s forum comprised of Natural Resources Minister Michael Gravelle, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing and Minister of Aboriginal Affairs Kathleen Wynne, Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities Glen Murray and Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Northern Development and Mines Bill Mauro. The ministers responded to ‘Bear Pit’ questions posed by municipal delegates regarding the apparent lack of progress on the Ring of Fire in Northern Ontario with assurances that discussions are ongoing on a multi-ministerial level in consultation with mining companies and area First Nations. However, details of these discussions remain confidential, according to the ministers. Aboriginal Affairs Minister Wynne said she is working directly with other ministries to resolve issues, address concerns and reach agreements to move the project forward to meet the interests of all involved. “Negotiations are ongoing that aren’t public and can’t be talked about,” she said. During Thursday’s session, Ministry of Northern Development and Mines regional resident geologist Andreas Lichtblau noted investment by exploration companies has topped $230 million since the discovery of copper, nickel and chromite deposits in the 200 kilometre semi-circular Ring of Fire mineralization zone. Parliamentary assistant Mauro referred to media criticisms following the release of the 2012 provincial budget for its lack of information regarding the Ring of Fire. “The budget is not the place where you’re going to see detailed plans for work in the far north,” he said. “Work is going on and many ministries are involved, negotiations are ongoing and there’s a lot of things I’d like to say but can’t.” Mauro acknowledged the government’s “silence is intimidating and creating anxiety” as three ministerial groups continue to meet with northern communities. Beyond the Ring of Fire, Mauro 1 The Ring of Fire News blog shares public information in accordance with the Fair Dealing provisions (§29) of the Copyright Act, and is not responsible for the accuracy of the original material. Inclusion of material or sources here should not imply endorsement or otherwise by the Ring of Fire News blog. referred to active exploration projects, predicting “eight to ten” new mines will open over the next decade in the northwest. In response to a question by Marathon Mayor Rick Dumas, MNR Minister Gravelle confirmed the appointment of a mining secretary to coordinate exploration activities in the north. “Christine Kaszycki is incredibly busy on the file,” Gravelle said. Training, Colleges and Universities Minister Murray noted his ministry is involved in developing programs as mining exploration and development will provide significant employment opportunities for northern First Nations residents. He also referred to 17 major strategies and policies that will bring training and investment opportunities to Thunder Bay and other regional communities. The minister encouraged municipalities to continue to be involved in that process ...." http://www.kenhttp://www.kenoradailyminerandnews.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=3547277oradailyminerandnews.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=3547277 "On Wednesday, Mayors from the Northern Communities Working Group, along with representatives from Ontario Northland Unions and the North Bay and District Chamber of Commerce met via teleconference to discuss the next steps in striking a new deal for the ONTC, following Tuesday’s passing of the Provincial Budget. Given the magnitude of this decision, a second request for a meeting with Premier McGuinty is being made. In addition, we will be requesting meetings with leaders of the opposition to understand how they will be helping the North to preserve Ontario Northland and its services. “Although the opposition parties are suggesting we are going into round 2 in the fight, not being made aware of the process or even the rules of engagement, we are feeling that we have been knocked to the canvas and once again abandoned in the North,” said Mayor Gilles Forget, Mayor of Iroquois Falls. Mayor Peter Politis suggests that “with 90 percent of the geographic area North of Highway 17, but with only 7 percent of the population, it appears the North is insignificant to all political parties. We seem to be the private backyards for the south providing resources and entertainment on an as required basis.” Mayor Politis further stated, “We cannot accept this and we need to be involved in decisions impacting our communities.” ...." http://www.baytoday.ca/content/news/details.asp?c=46870http://www.baytoday.ca/content/news/details.asp?c=46870 "Northern leaders are refusing to give up the Ontario Northland Transportation Commission without a fight. Northern Ontario municipal, business and labour leaders met via teleconference this week to discuss strategy for saving Ontario Northland. On Tuesday, the provincial Liberal budget was passed, even though opposition could have vetoed it in the current minority government situation. The plan to privatize the ONTC was left in the budget. The group is making its second request for a meeting with Premier Dalton McGuinty to discuss the issue. In addition, they are requesting meetings with leaders of the opposition. “Although the opposition parties are suggesting we are going into Round 2 in the fight, not being made aware of the process or even the rules of engagement, we are feeling that we have been knocked to the canvas and once again abandoned in the North,” said Iroquois Falls Mayor Gilles Forget. Leaders feel Northern Ontario has been left in the dark when it comes to key pieces of legislation impacting the region — such as the plan to privatize the ONTC. “With 90% of the geographic area north of Hwy. 17, but with only 7% of the population, it appears the North is insignificant to all political parties,” said Cochrane Mayor Peter Politis. “We seem to be the private backyards for the South, providing resources and entertainment on an as required basis. “We cannot accept this and we need to be involved in decisions impacting our communities.” ...." http://www.thedailypress.ca/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=3546623http://www.thedailypress.ca/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=3546623 "Northeastern Ontario community leaders have closed ranks in their fight against provincial divestiture of the Ontario Northland Transportation Commission. Regional news outlets report that mayors from the Northern Communities Working Group, unions and business leaders met this week to discuss the ONTC situation. They emerged from their teleconference with a demand for a 2 The Ring of Fire News blog shares public information in accordance with the Fair Dealing provisions (§29) of the Copyright Act, and is not responsible for the accuracy of the original material. Inclusion of material or sources here should not imply endorsement or otherwise by the Ring of Fire News blog. meeting with Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty. Northeastern leaders also want to meet with the province’s opposition leaders “to understand how they will be helping the North to preserve Ontario Northland