With the Ring of Fire Infrastructure conference this Wed &Thursday, the timing of the Cliff's walkout is interesting.

The majority of the complaints by the workers that walked out are infrastructure related.

-"inadequate health & safety infrastructure,

-isolated from civilization in the remote wilderness of Northern Ontario. Workers agree to leave their families and live in isolation, often experiencing extreme weather conditions, for up to 4 weeks at a time

-workers are also citing health & safety issues as a serious concern as there is currently no infrastructure for helicopters to land at the Camp in the evenings in case of accident or illness

-I don't think Cliff's is upset about this walkout. It will add some nice fuel to the meetings starting Wednesday.

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A crowd of 200 is expected to show up in Thunder Bay this month for a provincial government-hosted conference to begin collectively mapping out how a massive chromite and base metal mineral find in Ontario's Far North will proceed.

The Ring of Fire Infrastructure Conference, hosted by the Ministry of Northern Development, Mines and Forestry takes place June 22-23 at the Valhalla Inn.

Gathered around the tables will be representatives from First Nations, municipalities, the mining industry and selected environmental groups.

Participants will be there by invitation-only from the ministry.

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