Rail is the answer says Unionhttps://www.engineeringnews.co.za/article/gca-weighs-in-on-ring-of-fire-right-of-way-decision-2013-09-13/article_comments:1
Sep 13, 2013
Union weighs in on Ring of Fire right-of-way decision
Back © Reuse this By: Henry Lazenby Updated 2 hours 13 minutes ago
TORONTO (miningweekly.com) – The General Chairperson's Association (GCA), representing unionised employees at government-controlled transportation and telecommunications agency Ontario Northland, this week weighed in on the Ontario Mining and Lands Commissioner’s dismissal of US iron-ore miner Cliffs Natural Resources’ application for an easement over mining claims that TSX-V-listed junior KWG Resources staked from Exton, in the Ring of Fire, saying, like KWG, it also supports the construction of a railway. PrintSend to Friend 0 0 "The GCA believes the best, most cost-efficient and environmentally responsible manner to provide transportation into and out of the Ring of Fire development for all stakeholders is a railway. A private, provincially funded $700-million plus road is in no one's best interest, least of all taxpayers" GCA spokesperson Brian Kelly said in a statement. In the fall of 2012, the GCA unveiled a high-level proposal that would, in consultation with the Ontario government, the federal government and First Nations create a new federal crown corporation that would see all Ontario Northland Transportation Commission assets, including its telecom division Ontera, transferred. This new crown corporation is envisioned to provide an expanded and revitalised, integrated transportation and communication system across the North, while having the ability to obtain financing to design and build a railway into the Ring of Fire that would ship thousands of tons per day of chromite, nickel, other minerals and finished products to markets around the world. "This Mining and Land Commissioner’s decision finally quashes this ill-conceived scheme to sink millions upon millions of taxpayer's dollars into a private road built through muskeg that would require millions upon millions of more tax dollars to maintain the road on a yearly basis. “This single-purpose road, would do nothing to improve the social and economic development for First Nation's communities in the region" Kelly added. Cleveland-based Cliffs suspended its work on the $3.3-billion Black Thor project in June, citing stalled talks with the provincial government and other political and regulatory problems. It has struggled to win over Aboriginal communities in the region. TSX-V-listed KWG says a rail line offers better value for money. The two sides are fighting over a single route because there is very little high ground or gravel in the swampy region. Edited by: Creamer Media Reporter