The dam has to bust...

December 2015 • 17:30 0

• A couple of meaty reports this week – one from Ontario’s Auditor General, nailing the province on the Ring of Fire specifically: “The Ministry of Northern Development and Mines (Ministry) has not been effective in encouraging timely mining development in Ontario, even though the province has a significantly lower tax rate on mining than the national average …. The chromite and nickel deposits in the Ring of Fire, located in the James Bay lowlands, have an estimated value of $60 billion, but the province has no detailed plan or timeline for supporting the development of the deposit ….”
• From the Auditor General’s report: “Little infrastructure development of the Ring of Fire to date …. The province remains committed to spending $1 billion in the region, but none of the committed funding has been spent to date and, in any case, the provincial commitment alone will not be enough to meet the region’s infrastructure needs …. No minerals yet extracted from the Ring of Fire ….”
• The media’s take on the AG’s report: “Auditor general slams province on Ring of Fire mining – or lack of it” – “Lack of Ring of Fire progress comes under fire from Ontario Auditor General” – “Province dinged on the ‘Ring of Fire’ “ – “Millions spent, nothing accomplished – report” – “Brutal appraisal of Ontario mess” (editorial)
• One thing we KNOW isn’t going to happen from the AG’s recommendations, though “Ontario won’t raise mining tax despite auditor’s report: Minister”
• Another report from the Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC), calling for some specific fixes for the Ring of Fire, and for how mining companies deal with the government and First Nations: “Boost investment in northern infrastructure and coordinate infrastructure planning with mining, Aboriginal, and northern interests. The Government of Ontario should broaden the mandate of the Ring of Fire Infrastructure Development Corporation to seek out these opportunities …. Provide a single list indicating which Aboriginal communities a mining company needs to consult when pursuing the development of a particular project …. Develop and implement a resource revenue sharing (RRS) framework to allow Aboriginal communities to derive clear benefits from resource development projects

in Ontario ….”

• Ontario’s Mines Minister’s take on the OCC 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 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 ….”
• … with some hints …. “Ontario’s minister of Northern Development and Mines is hinting at exploration incentives to be unveiled in the next few weeks …. “I can say, I think, without getting myself in too much trouble, that our strategy will certainly be speaking to a number of the issues related to the need to drive exploration in the province of Ontario.” Gravelle wouldn’t say what those changes might be, only promising they will be unveiled over the next few weeks ….”
• … and the media’s coverage “Nine ways to dig mining out of its hole” – “Boost mines sector: Report” – “Invest in mining now, Ontario Chamber of Commerce says” – “Ontario Chamber of Commerce mining report calls for more investment” – “Ontario Chamber of Commerce demands uniformity in mining”
• A (very quick) mention of the Ring of Fire as the new federal Liberal northern Ontario caucus meets for the first time since the federal election: “The newly formed federal Northern Ontario caucus is vowing to promote the region’s key issues. The caucus made up of seven Northern Liberal MPs met for the first time on Tuesday. The caucus plans to promote key Northern issues in Ottawa including the Ring of Fire, municipal infrastructure and housing. Status of Women Minister Patty Hajdu said the group will aim to ensure priorities are set in Northern Ontario and made known to Ottawa, not the other way around ….”