While Cliffs Natural Resources has suspended work on its Black Thor environmental assessment (EA), its Ring of Fire neighbour, Noront Resources, announced its “good to go” on its Eagle's Nest Project and intends to submit its EA to the government this fall.
The Toronto miner said its plans for its deposits have not changed in light of the Cliffs announcement.
Noront said it has been developing alternative plans including the use of an east-west transportation corridor if a north-south access route doesn't materialize.
"In addition to supporting a North-South access route, Noront has always supported an east-west alternative approach for the development of the Ring of Fire that balances First Nations objectives, the environment and job growth,” said Paul Parisotto, Noront chairman and interim CEO in a statement.
Noront Resources has its Eagle's Nest nickel, copper, platinum and palladium deposit and its Blackbird chromite deposit in the James Bay lowlands.
“We're confident this alternative will be attractive to each level of government, the local communities and the people who will benefit from this sensible approach to stimulating development in the Ring of Fire,” said Parisotto.
Noront said an all-weather road to the Ring of Fire provides access for non-mine traffic to remote communities and for early development of the high grade nickel deposits in the Ring of Fire.
"We have been consulting and working with First Nations throughout our environmental assessment process,” said Paul Semple, Noront's chief operating officer. “We believe the east-west road capitalizes on existing infrastructure, will support local communities, minimize environmental impact and ignite development in the Ring of Fire and in all of our discussions we have maintained the east-west corridor as a viable alternative in opening up the Ring of Fire.”
