THUNDER BAY – Mining – Noront Resources Ltd. (TSX Venture: NOT) has announced that its plans for the development of its deposits in the Ring of Fire have not changed in light of the announcement made by Cliffs Natural Resources Inc. to temporarily suspend their Environmental Assessment (EA) activities for its chromite project in the Ring of Fire.
Noront has been making agreements with First Nations across the Ring of Fire.
Noront has continuously developed alternative plans, including the use of an East-West corridor, if the planned North-South access route proposed by Cliffs did not materialize.
“In addition to supporting a North-South access route, Noront has always supported an East-West alternative approach for the development of the Ring of Fire that balances First Nations objectives, the environment and job growth. We’re confident this alternative will be attractive to each level of government, the local communities and the people who will benefit from this sensible approach to stimulating development in the Ring of Fire,” said Paul Parisotto, Noront’s Chairman and interim CEO. “We believe this offers a great opportunity for the private sector, First Nations and governments to work together to ensure the Ring of Fire can be developed in a responsible and timely way.”
The alternative route for an all-weather road to the Ring of Fire, which will include access for non-mine traffic from local communities, balances First Nation objectives, the environment and jobs in a responsible manner and will allow for the early development of the high grade nickel deposits in the Ring of Fire.
The proposed route, an East-West all-weather corridor, would build upon existing winter roads to minimize environmental impact and cost. As a result, this routing would also directly benefit four Matawa First Nations and can be developed in a more timely fashion. It is expected this route could be expanded to support further developments in the Ring of Fire.
“We have been consulting and working with First Nations throughout our Environmental Assessment process. We believe the East-West road capitalizes on existing infrastructure, will support local communities, minimize environmental impact and ignite development in the Ring of Fire and in all of our discussions we have maintained the East-West corridor as a viable alternative in opening up the Ring of Fire,” added Paul Semple, Chief Operating Officer of Noront.
Noront is in the final stage of its Environmental Assessment for their Eagle’s Nest Project and still intends to submit an EA to government this fall.
About Noront: Noront Resources Ltd. is focused on development of the high-grade Eagle’s Nest nickel, copper, platinum and palladium deposit and the high-grade Blackbird chromite deposit, both of which are located in the James Bay Lowlands of Ontario in an emerging metals camp known as the Ring of Fire.
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