Manitoba Wildlands  
Ring of Fire First Nations to Evict Companies 3 August 12

mine US mining giant Cliffs Natural Resources announced, in May 2012, plans for a $3.3Billion project including a chromite mine east of Webequie, a transportation route running south from the mine site and a ferrochrome processing plant in Sudbury, Ontario. The proposed open pit mine site is in an area called "The Ring of Fire", roughly 540 kilometres North of Thunder Bay in the James Bay lowlands. The proposal for Cliffs to remove up to 12,000 tons of ore a day.

The Ring of Fire is an area exceedingly rich in minerals and precious metals. It is situated in First Nations Traditional Territories around McFaulds Lake in Northern Ontario.

First Nations in the region responded quickly, without hesitation. Six First nations are preparing eviction notices for all mining companies in the Ring of Fire. Aroland, Constance Lake, Ginoogaming , Long Lake 58, Neskantaga and Nibinamik plan to give the companies 30 days to cease all activity. Over the past two years Ring of Fire Chiefs have been ignored while calling for government to government consultations.

"When a First Nation's right to free, prior, and informed consent is ignored the consequences are devastating" said Ontario Regional Chief Stan Beardy. "I support Matawa First Nations and its member Nation, Neskantaga, in their recent legal challenges and ask the provincial government to reconsider the position it has taken in these disputes."

View July 21, 2012 Greenpeace article
View July 13, 2012 Indigenous Peoples Issues and Resources article
View June 8, 2012 CBC News article
View June 25, 2012 MiningWatch Canada article
View May 15, 2012 CBC News article
View May 17, 2012 Wawatay News article
View March 2008 United Nations presentation (PDF)
View August 9, 2012 Indigenous Peoples Issues and Resources article
Source: Greenpeace, CBC, United Nations
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