Published on: 1/22/2010 8:59:13 AM
Mining company supports First Nation blockade at McFauld's Lake
By: Northern Ontario Business staff
Noront Resources Ltd. (NOT:TSX) is supporting the actions of its exploration partner Marten Falls First Nation to block exploration in the Ring of Fire area of the James Bay Lowlands.
The Marten Falls First Nation, together with five other First Nations, plan to obstruct the landing strip on Kopper Lake, which companies use to access McFauld's Lake. This will continue for an indefinite period.
In a Jan. 18 media release, Noront stated First Nations in the area “have become increasingly concerned by the lack of consultation with their communities concerning development in the Ring of Fire and a disregard for their environment.”
Noront CEO Wes Hanson says he contacted Marten Falls Chief Elijah Moonias to advise him that Noront considers the denial or service to be unfair, but the company will abide by his decision.
The blockade has the potential to disrupt winter drilling and exploration activities of more than 35 junior mining companies that are currently exploring the chromite, nickel and base metals deposit in Ring of Fire area.
This includes Cliffs Natural Resources and its estimated $1.5-billion plan to define the chromite mineral at McFauld's Lake. The Cleveland-based miner wants to build a 350-kilometre ore haul railway to processing facilities at a still-to-be-determined site in northwestern Ontario.
