First Nations want right to process minerals from Ring of Fire
June 25, 2012
By
Canadian Consulting Engineer
A poll of 1,000 randomly selected Ontarians found that a majority of people in the province believe that the First Nations should be involved in the "Ring of Fire" program to develop minerals in Ontario's north.
A poll of 1,000 randomly selected Ontarians found that a majority of people in the province believe that the First Nations should be involved in the “Ring of Fire” program to develop minerals in Ontario’s north.
The Ring of Fire is in the James Bay Lowlands area and is the site of major mining exploration projects, with over 30,000 claims staked. The area is centred near McFaulds Lake on First Nation traditional Lands, 286 kilometres from Greenstone.
The poll found that only 70% of the respondents knew about the Ring of Fire mineral discovery, but once informed about it 89% of respondents felt that First Nations should have been consulted. Of those polled, 45% agreed that the Ring of Fire resources should be processed or smelted in the First Nations area, and 57% said that they supported the position of First Nations that they will not allow the mining to take place unless it is processed in their territory.
The survey was conducted June 8-13, 2012 by OraclePoll Research for the Municipality of Greenstone and Aroland First Nation.
The Greenstone/Aroland press release says the Ring of Fire “has the potential to be the most significant mineral development in Ontaro in over a century.”
