Cliffs Natural Resources has announced a $3.3-billion investment to build a chromite mine, transportation corridor and processing facility in Northern Ontario’s Ring of Fire that would lead to a new generation of prosperity in the north, with thousands of jobs and new infrastructure.The Ring of Fire represents one of the most significant mineral regions in the province, and includes the largest deposit of chromite ever discovered in North America. The chromite found in this area, 540 kilometres northeast of Thunder Bay, is a key ingredient used to create stainless steel.

Cliffs Natural Resources has announced it intends to build a $1.8-billion chromite processing facility in Capreol, near Sudbury. This would employ 450 people during construction, and as many as 450 people when the facility is in operation. Mine and mill development, as well as the construction and operation of transportation infrastructure, could create an additional 750 jobs, plus hundreds of indirect employment opportunities for Northern Ontarians and First Nations’ communities.

Ontario will work closely with First Nations to ensure they are partners in this development. The province is committing to a First Nations dialogue focusing on long-term environmental monitoring, socioeconomic and community development, regional infrastructure and resource revenue sharing. Ontario is calling on the federal government to work with Ontario and First Nations’ communities to advance the project.

Discussions will also begin on the proposed development of a new all-season road to run south from the Ring of Fire through northwestern Ontario.

Ontario is committed to rigorous environmental standards for the development of the Ring of Fire. The federal and provincial governments are co-ordinating environmental assessments of the proposed processing facility, transportation corridor and mine site developments. The government is committed to ensuring that the Crown’s duty to consult is met throughout the Ring of Fire development.

“The Ring of Fire is a tremendous investment that will bring tangible benefits for Thunder Bay and Greenstone, as well as other communities in the Northwest, including the First Nations in the Ring of Fire itself. There are significant economic opportunities to be realized for our communities, including new jobs and infrastructure, training opportunities, and a range of local and regional business opportunities, all which will drive growth and increase investment for future generations.” Michael Gravelle, MPP Thunder Bay-Superior North

This is another example of the growing investment in Ontario’s mineral sector. Mineral exploration investments in the province surpassed $1 billion for the first time last year and new capital investments by the mining sector in 2011 exceeded $3 billion, driving economic activity and creating jobs.

Supporting a successful mining sector is part of the McGuinty government’s plan to create jobs for Ontarians, create opportunities for First Nations’ communities and strengthen the economy.

• Cliffs Natural Resources is one of over 20 companies holding claims in the Ring of Fire.
• Ontario leads all Canadian jurisdictions in mineral exploration, with 26 per cent of the country’s exploration investment located within the province.
• Toronto is the mining investment capital of the world. More than 80 per cent of all global financing for mining equity is done on the Toronto Stock Exchange.
• The Ring of Fire also holds the potential for significant production of nickel, copper and platinum.
• The Ring of Fire is comparable to other historic world-class mining areas, such as Timmins, Sudbury, Kirkland Lake and Red Lake.
• About 27,000 Ontarians are already directly employed in metal mining, and 50,000 are in jobs associated with mineral processing.
• The mining sector is already the largest private sector employer of Aboriginals in Canada.

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