A crowd of 200 is expected to show up in Thunder Bay this month for a provincial government-hosted conference to begin collectively mapping out how a massive chromite and base metal mineral find in Ontario's Far North will proceed.

The Ring of Fire Infrastructure Conference, hosted by the Ministry of Northern Development, Mines and Forestry takes place June 22-23 at the Valhalla Inn.

Gathered around the tables will be representatives from First Nations, municipalities, the mining industry and selected environmental groups.

Participants will be there by invitation-only from the ministry.

Christine Kaszycki, the provincially-appointed Coordinator for the Ring of Fire, said it will be first opportunity to get a wide range of people talking about what are the key considerations and different approaches as this exploration camp in the James Bay lowlands moves toward mine development in 2015.

“We're trying to get a good cross-section of participants so we get the broadest range of perspectives as possible,” said Kaszycki.

She wasn't expecting any definitive outcomes from the two-day event other than to say it's time all the players got together to hear all the ideas and issues in one central forum.

“I think that's one of the benefits of pulling people together, everybody hears the same information at the same time and has the benefit of hearing each other's perspective.”

The agenda and conference format have yet to be finalized.

Transportation, electricity transmission and broadband connection will be among the topics up for discussion. Queen's Park and Ottawa are expected to be substantial public infrastructure investors as the project unfolds.

“It's the first time we're doing it and we're looking forward to it,” said Kaszycki. “It's intended to be a practical and pragmatic look at what we need to be thinking.”