The development of a massive ore deposit in the north could be the economic salvation Ontario's struggling manufacturing sector needs, business groups say.

The Liberal government is promoting the development of the Ring of Fire, a 5,120-square-kilometre expanse west of James Bay, which contains nickel, copper, gold and the largest untapped deposit of chromite in the world.

There are currently 32,000 mining claims in the Ring of Fire.

The Ontario government has promised to protect 50 per cent of the boreal forest – an important carbon storehouse and home to at-risk species such as the woodland caribou and bald eagle. Where that protected area will be is "yet to be determined," said Gravelle.