"Sudbury is once again bidding on a smelter to process ore from the Ring of Fire, but instead of being up in the wilderness north of Capreol, this time the proposal is to build it in the community of Coniston. A public meeting was held in Coniston to figure out what it could mean for the area. We heard more from the city councillor for that part of the city, Deb McIntosh."

1. Coniston's objection to the new facility in their community is short sighted and based on an antiquaited knowledge of the state of the industry.

2. Sudbury is home to 2 smelters and 2 refineries as well as multiple mines and mills that have been modernized to today's standards. Sudburians are not suffering adverse environmental effects from having these facilties in their back yards.

3. All northern communities are at best holding their own economically and all of them could use the boost that the proposed new facility would bring. Coniston citizens are shooting themselves in the foot by making such a fuss about nothing.

4. Locating a new smelter/refinery in Sudbury makes a lot of sense for multiple reasons, not the least of which is that Sudbury is among the largest and most experienced mining communities in the world.

5. Noront is to be commended for bringing this project to this point where we may be on the verge of seeing some roads built and plans are being developed to move the project forward. It has been a long time since the ROF was discovered.

6. The major mining company that buys the deposit will decide where the processing facilities will be located. Noront has already discussed the project with Vale which is why the old Coniston Smelter site is being discussed. This may be a hint who the final owner will be.

7. If Coniston residents don't want the facility in the east end of Sudbury, Vale can easily build it on their property in Copper Cliff. This makes more sense since their existing infrastructure, including transportation/rail in Copper Cliff could more easily be accessed.