Northern Development Minister Michael Gravelle is lauding First Nations for ending blockades that prevented mining companies from studying the Ring of Fire chromite deposit in northern Ontario.

Two aboriginal communities had been manning the blockade since January but say they will officially end the protest today and work with the province and mining companies to ensure their concerns are addressed.

The blockades in the Ring of Fire, 500 kilometres northeast of Thunder Bay, were set up after Marten Falls and Webequie communities said they were not consulted by the mining companies.

The First Nations are demanding job training and employment for their members, environmental accountability and completion of construction of a new airport in the area.

The demands remain unresolved, but the First Nations have agreed to six months of discussions.

The aboriginal leaders say Gravelle’s visit to their communities this week factored into their decision to end the blockade.