Supplied photo KWG Resources is one of the companies exploring the mineral-rich Ring of Fire in northwestern Ontario.

When it comes to working with first nations to develop framework agreements for developing the Ring of Fire and approving environmental assessments for projects there, the Liberal government is "absolutely on top of it," says Ontario's mines minister.

Northern Development and Mines Minister Michael Gravelle said the province is continuing its "good work" on framework agreements and advancing the development corporation established to design and build infrastructure for the Ring of Fire.

The interim part of the development corporation is in place, Gravelle said in Sudbury on Friday, during a visit to boost the campaign of Liberal byelection candidate Glenn Thibeault.

The next stage is bringing the province's full partners on board, including companies with holdings in the Ring of Fire, 540 kilometres northeast of Thunder Bay.

Gravelle said he's also looking forward to having more formal discussions with FedNor and Natural Resources Minister Greg Rickford about the federal government's "full engagement, if not matching dollars related to the project."

The Government of Ontario has pledged $1 billion to develop infrastructure so the vast chromite deposits can be mined and it has been seeking a similar commitment from the federal government.

Gravelle said someone at a mining awards ceremony in Sudbury told him he didn't think the Ring of Fire would move forward while commodity prices are low, "and I certainly wasn't arguing that point ...

"That speaks to why it's all the more important we do the work we're doing now to be positioned to be ready for this development," said the minister.

The president and chief executive officer of Noront Resources, which is waiting to develop its Eagle's Nest nickel deposit in the Ring, told The Sudbury Star recently that he was frustrated at the slow pace of the permitting process and getting other approvals for its project.

Alan Coutts said he wants the province to give Noront the environmental approval it needs to start on its mine and all-weather road while an "over-arching" framework agreement is being negotiated with first nations about resource sharing and other issues.

Noront isn't asking for special treatment, he said. It just wants the province to approve the terms of reference for the environmental assessment it submitted 21/2 years ago so it can keep and attract investors, reach impact benefit agreements with three first nations and start mining ore.

Gravelle said he was "very close to the Noront experience" and travelled to a conference in England with Coutts. The minister said the mining company CEO went with him to help make the case that Ontario is a good place to invest in, "and I was grateful to have him there," said Gravelle.

Coutts told The Sudbury Star that he travels all over the world -- to China, Hong Kong, Asia and London -- talking about Noront's Eagle's Nest project.

"People are going like, 'Ontario? I don't know about that,'" said Coutts, because Ontario is getting a reputation as being a difficult place to get mining projects established.

Gravelle said he's conscious of Noront's "eagerness" and the province is eager to see it advance, as well. So, it's working with the Ministry of the Environment and other ministries "to make this move forward."

Coutts said his company could negotiate impact benefit agreements with first nations in the Ring of Fire if the province would allow it to under provisions of the existing Mining Act.

The fact the province is trying to negotiate long-term framework agreements for revenue-sharing and other issues is slowing down Noront's project, said Coutts.

Gravelle said there's no ministry more eager than Northern Development and Mines, including the Ring of Fire secretariat, to move projects forward, but "it needs to be done right."

carol.mulligan@sunmedia.ca