Around the North

December freeze-up means the opening of the Far North winter roads network. The Ontario government has earmarked $4.5 million for the 2010-2011 winter road season to seasonally connect 31 First Nation communities to provincial highways and railways.

A Kenora landmark could be the site of a microbrewery start-up. The City of Kenora has accepted a proposal from Lake of the Woods Brewing Company to re-develop the historical No. 1 Fire Station into a pub and brewing operation.

Stillwater Mining Company has completed the acquisition of Marathon PGM and its mine development project in northwestern Ontario. The project is undergoing an environmental assessment in preparation for production.

Noront Resources has raised $10 million in private placement financing to continue their exploration work at McFauld's Lake in the James Bay lowlands.

A former Canadian Wheat Board executive has been appointed to the board of directors of the Thunder Bay Port Authority.

Cliffs Natural Resources Inc. announced Dec. 1 that Dave Anthony will join the organization as vice-president and senior project director of Cliffs' Canadian chromite operations, effective January 2011.

Steve Archer has been appointed to the position of general manager of Normet Canada Ltd., according to a Nov. 22, 2010 company press release. Normet Canada opened its head office in Sudbury in the spring of 2010.

An environmental consulting firm was one of the big winners recognized for business excellence at the North Bay & District Chamber of Commerce's annual general meeting.

International miner Rio Tinto is setting up its own research centre at Laurentian University in Sudbury. The company will be investing $10 million over five years to establish the Rio Tinto Centre for Underground Mine Construction.

Detour Gold has selected Calgary's ATCO Structures and Logistics to build its mining camp in northeastern Ontario. ATCO provides modular buildings and other support operations for global mining clients.