These end of year articles perhaps designed to foster ‘holiday cheer’ among mining investors, are fraught with paternalist language and omissions that ignore the growing resistance to mining in the so-called Ring of Fire.
In a December 2023 interview, Ontario mines minister, George Pirie touts his optimism about the ‘ultimate success’ of the Ontario government’s critical mineral strategy, and purports having ‘excellent relations with our Indigenous people’, despite refusals by Premier Ford back in September to meet with the Land Defense Alliance, made up of five First Nations communities- Neskantaga, Muskrat Dam First Nations, Wapekeka, Asubpeeschoseewagong Anishinabek (Grassy Narrows), and Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug (Big Trout Lake).
This news roundup also includes an article which attempts to grapple with the October Supreme Court opinion that much of the federal Impact Assessment Act is unconstitutional, and the Globe and Mail’s final 2023 article about the ‘Ring of Fire’ profiles Marten Falls’ Chief Bruce Achneepineskum. The article paints mining development as a form of ‘reconciliation’ to make up for the history of subjugation experienced by the community.
December 31, 2023 (Globe and Mail):
How reconciliation is tied up in the Ring of Fire
In remote Ontario, Marten Falls First Nation hopes to move past more than 100 years of subjugation, as it opens the door to critical minerals development and an all-season road that will change their lives
“The needs in Marten Falls are immediate and stark. There is a severe shortage of homes. A boil-water advisory has been in place for 18 years. There are endemic social problems that never seem to go away – youth suicide, alcoholism and opioid addiction.
On top of all of that, Mr. Achneepineskum is dealing with a massive international mining company that is making big promises about delivering riches to the impoverished community from the undeveloped Ring of Fire critical minerals project, which is located on the Marten Falls nation’s traditional territories. He’s also working with the province of Ontario and the federal government on the construction of an all-season road that would provide year-round access to the area, and bring with it a massive increase in the standard of living” Read more here…
December 29, 2023 (Northern Ontario Business):
Ottawa went too far on regulating mining, infrastructure projects: experts
Legal experts say ball’s in Ottawa’s court to revamp and make legal Canada’s Impact Assessment Act
“The Canadian government’s environmental assessment process is in disarray.
On Oct. 13, the Supreme Court of Canada ruled in a 5-2 decision that most of Ottawa’s controversial Impact Assessment Act (IAA) was unconstitutional and far outside the government’s authority to assess and make decisions on major resource and infrastructure projects.” Read more here…
December 21, 2023 (Canadian Mining Journal):
March: Updates on critical mining in northern Ontario
“When George Pirie, Ontario’s mines minister, closes his eyes and imagines what a resurgent northern Ontario mining industry will look like five years from now, he might see new nickel mines in Sudbury and Timmins, a battery industrial park in Cobalt, haul trucks transporting nickel concentrate on the recently completed road from the Ring of Fire, and multiple lithium mines and processing facilities in northwestern Ontario.
It is a good bet that much of the scenario will indeed materialize. The drills are confirming that the resources are there, the environmental assessments are progressing, and meetings with battery manufacturers and the automobile industry are resulting in offtake agreements.” Read more here…
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These end of year articles perhaps designed to foster ‘holiday cheer’ among mining investors, are fraught with paternalist language and omissions that ignore the growing resistance to mining in the so-called Ring of Fire.
In a December 2023 interview, Ontario mines minister, George Pirie touts his optimism about the ‘ultimate success’ of the Ontario government’s critical mineral strategy, and purports having ‘excellent relations with our Indigenous people’, despite refusals by Premier Ford back in September to meet with the Land Defense Alliance, made up of five First Nations communities- Neskantaga, Muskrat Dam First Nations, Wapekeka, Asubpeeschoseewagong Anishinabek (Grassy Narrows), and Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug (Big Trout Lake).
This news roundup also includes an article which attempts to grapple with the October Supreme Court opinion that much of the federal Impact Assessment Act is unconstitutional, and the Globe and Mail’s final 2023 article about the ‘Ring of Fire’ profiles Marten Falls’ Chief Bruce Achneepineskum. The article paints mining development as a form of ‘reconciliation’ to make up for the history of subjugation experienced by the community.
December 31, 2023 (Globe and Mail):
How reconciliation is tied up in the Ring of Fire
In remote Ontario, Marten Falls First Nation hopes to move past more than 100 years of subjugation, as it opens the door to critical minerals development and an all-season road that will change their lives
“The needs in Marten Falls are immediate and stark. There is a severe shortage of homes. A boil-water advisory has been in place for 18 years. There are endemic social problems that never seem to go away – youth suicide, alcoholism and opioid addiction.
On top of all of that, Mr. Achneepineskum is dealing with a massive international mining company that is making big promises about delivering riches to the impoverished community from the undeveloped Ring of Fire critical minerals project, which is located on the Marten Falls nation’s traditional territories. He’s also working with the province of Ontario and the federal government on the construction of an all-season road that would provide year-round access to the area, and bring with it a massive increase in the standard of living” Read more here…
December 29, 2023 (Northern Ontario Business):
Ottawa went too far on regulating mining, infrastructure projects: experts
Legal experts say ball’s in Ottawa’s court to revamp and make legal Canada’s Impact Assessment Act
“The Canadian government’s environmental assessment process is in disarray.
On Oct. 13, the Supreme Court of Canada ruled in a 5-2 decision that most of Ottawa’s controversial Impact Assessment Act (IAA) was unconstitutional and far outside the government’s authority to assess and make decisions on major resource and infrastructure projects.” Read more here…
December 21, 2023 (Canadian Mining Journal):
March: Updates on critical mining in northern Ontario
“When George Pirie, Ontario’s mines minister, closes his eyes and imagines what a resurgent northern Ontario mining industry will look like five years from now, he might see new nickel mines in Sudbury and Timmins, a battery industrial park in Cobalt, haul trucks transporting nickel concentrate on the recently completed road from the Ring of Fire, and multiple lithium mines and processing facilities in northwestern Ontario.
It is a good bet that much of the scenario will indeed materialize. The drills are confirming that the resources are there, the environmental assessments are progressing, and meetings with battery manufacturers and the automobile industry are resulting in offtake agreements.” Read more here…
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