This illustration shows the proposed locations of infrastructure in Cliffs Natural Resources' plan to develop the Ring of Fire.

A Cliffs Natural Resources spokeswoman is denying a report from an online newspaper that the Cleveland-based company is pulling out of its development in the Ring of Fire.

Cliffs officials continue to talk with representatives of the Government of Ontario and First Nations communities in the area, Patricia Persico said Friday.

"We are continuing with our plans as previously stated," Persico said in an email.

In November of last year, Cliffs halted all technical work including its feasibility study, development and exploration activities for an undetermined period of time. It was a crushing blow to many in Ontario, particularly here in Sudbury where hopes were high after the former Moose Mountain Mine was chosen as the site Cliffs planned to build a $1.8-billion ferrochrome processing plant.

Persico said Cliffs remains supportive of the province's plan to form a development corporation to finance and develop infrastructure for the Ring of Fire, and intends to participate in future discussions.

Northern Development and Mines Minister Michael Gravelle announced the creation of that corporation just days before Cliffs announced it was halting development of its Black Thor chromite deposit.

Few details have emerged yet about how the development corporation will operate.

"Cliffs is responsibly and properly shutting down its exploration camp. We are properly securing our assets and protecting the environment," said Persico in her statement.

"At the start of this project, the camp was designated to be temporary with a goal of establishing a new camp at a permanent location at some point in the future, as it is located on Noront’s claim area.

"Over the past few years, we have shared resources with Noront. If we start up the chromite project in the future, we will assemble a camp on our property," she said.

In an article this week posted on NetNewsledger.com, there was speculation Cliffs was selling off its Ring of Fire assets and pulling out of the Ring of Fire.

Meanwhile, KWG Resources and Noront Resources continue to develop projects in the Ring of Fire.