http://www.thesudburystar.com/2015/12/02/minister-welcomes-mining-report

Ontario's minister of Northern Development and Mines and the Ontario Chamber of Commerce don't agree on every point, but both share a commitment to seeing the mining sector build and grow.

To that end, Michael Gravelle appreciates the chamber report, "Digging Deeper," which offers recommendations for strengthening Ontario's mining advantage.

The first of nine recommendations in the report released Tuesday includes broadening the focus of the Ring of Fire Infrastructure Development Corporation, an opinion Gravelle doesn't share.

The Mines minister believes it's important for the development corporation to remain focused on the Ring of Fire, bringing partners together to determine how best to build transportation systems and infrastructure in the area.

Gravelle agrees with many of the other recommendations, including a call to clarify the consultation process between companies and first nations, and to develop a revenue resource sharing framework.

His ministry agrees it should develop a process to "make things work better" in the mining sector. The fact his government has modernized the mining act and introduced new processes to speed up permitting for mining development shows the Liberals are working closely with industry to provide guidance on how best to work with first nations.

"I can very honestly say that's the direction we're going in," said Gravelle.

He said he appreciates the Ontario chamber report because it shows the group representing 60,000 member businesses understands mining is a huge part of Ontario's economy. The report shows that $11 billion in mineral production occurs in Ontario annually, more than any other province.

"I view this as more of a partnership with the chamber than I do any other way," said the minister.

He said he intends to spend more time with the Ontario chamber to help it better understand the development corporation's main goal and the work it is doing.

Not a week goes by that his ministry doesn't make contact with all the stakeholders in the Ring of Fire, including first nations, industry and communities.

Facilitating a review of transportation options is important to provide technical reference for all partners in the Ring of Fire, said Gravelle.

Discussions about infrastructure development ties in with the work already being done by the Ring of Fire secretariat and through the ministry's negotiations with first nations.

Gravelle often refers to the need to "get it right" when discussing development of the rich chromite deposits 500 kilometres northeast of Thunder Bay.

Part of that is ensuring first nations and communities nearest to a potential development like the Ring are "going to be receiving the benefits they should be receiving and they believe ... the project is worthwhile moving forward on."

Meanwhile, Gravelle said his government is almost ready to release a renewed Mineral Development Strategy and he hinted that might be done in Sudbury in less than two weeks.

Gravelle said the strategy will be rolled out before the end of the year and said he would be attending a meeting of the board of the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corp. in Sudbury on Dec. 10 and 11.

carol.mulligan@sunmedia.ca