First Nations Influence

First Nations have final word on Ring of Fire, says ex-minister Laying the groundwork By: Ian Ross George Smitherman A former provincial energy minister-turned-consultant said First Nations will have the ultimate say on how the Ring of Fire mineral developments will unfold, and that includes the location of a proposed ferrochrome smelter. George Smitherman is pitching for the furnaces to be located in the northwestern Ontario municipality of Greenstone, and the village of Exton, which is already designated as a future ore transloading junction. Cliffs Natural Resources has maintained Sudbury is the frontrunner among four Northern Ontario communities to land the processing plant, and its 400-plus jobs, but only if provincial power rates are competitive with neighbouring jurisdictions. The international miner is expected to name the site for the plant sometime this year. “If the company persists in seeing the decision narrowly on the basis of power, then this has great project risk.” Smitherman said the Matawa tribal chiefs won't stand for the extraction of a resource from their traditional territories “to watch it trucked past their door.” He said Cliffs' statements that it was considering filing for a domestic processing exemption to take chromite ore out of the province for refining should be of great concern to all Ontarians. “This has got to be a decision taken out of the hands of the technocrats and into the hands of those steering the overall project.” Smitherman said the First Nations are the big X factor in the advancement of the Ring of Fire development. “Anyone who hasn't figured that out is at risk for a rude awakening.” Smitherman said there are no obstacles to delivering power to Exton by the time Cliffs wants to start mining in 2015. The environmental assessment of the proposed Little Jackfish hydro project near Lake Nipigon is largely complete. Smitherman is trumpeting Greenstone's proximity to the Ring of Fire deposits and its alliances with area First Nations as trump cards in the competition with Sudbury, Thunder Bay and Timmins to land the processor. Smitherman and a technical team hired by the municipality went to Cleveland in November to lay out their client's case before Cliffs Natural Resources. They're promoting a “holistic” plan that delivers power to new and existing mines, and gets First Nation communities off of diesel generation and onto the provincial grid. Smitherman said their approach builds off an already-established provincial energy plan by Hydro One to run transmission lines from the Little Jackfish into Pickle Lake, Dryden and Ignace. Smitherman said electricity is an “embedded issue” with the Ring of Fire, but in sizing up the immense potential of the mineral resources there, Ontarians have to figure out “what does it take for us, as a province, to take appropriate advantage of that opportunity?” Making Ontario as competitive with Quebec, Manitoba and other jurisdictions requires making tough decisions about infrastructure, jobs, training, resource sharing and making social progress, he said. “If the Ring of Fire is as big as we're told it is, then the policy response needs to be commensurate to that.”

Greenstone makes it's Bid for the Ferrochrome Processing Facility at Exton

Chromite competition

Friday, November 18, 2011

THUNDER BAY and Greenstone have both made their pitches to host the facility that will process chromite ore from the Ring of Fire, Ontario’s most promising mineral deposit in years. Both sent delegations Wednesday to the Cleveland offices of Cliffs Natural Resources, the key player, and both came away confident they’d made the case for this important development.
Both have benefits and drawbacks, and without knowing what went on in Cliffs’ boardroom it is impossible to ascertain who may now enjoy an edge. But Greenstone appears to have put more effort into selling itself. It hired former Ontario energy minister now consultant George Smitherman to bring his influence to bear. It is also working with a public relations company.
Greenstone issued an opinion piece to this newspaper timed to coincide with Cliffs’ open house in Thunder Bay Monday and the trip to Cleveland two days later. It made a compelling case involving proximity to the proposed ore transfer point and a regional energy grid which is the key to such a power-hungry development.
Upon its delegation’s return, Greenstone issued a statement outlining the nature of its meeting and the fact they met Tuesday with provincial officials at Queen’s Park. It even thought to add the tantalizing fact that the Cliffs meeting ran overtime.

In a region of such high unemployment, the chromite processor will mean hundreds of quality jobs and provide a major economic stimulus to the whole region. Thunder Bay and Greenstone are up against Sudbury, already a mining powerhouse and used by Cliffs as its “base case” model to plan for the ferrochrome production facility.
Thunder Bay appears to have opted for a quieter approach. There is no powerful former deputy premier, no PR firm and its post-trip presentation consisted of a media scrum at the airport. Meetings with provincial officials have occurred, but local delegates aren’t saying what went on. They do see a potential partnership.
Thunder Bay Mayor Keith Hobbs spoke about working with Greenstone to ensure the processor is built somewhere in the Northwest. If it goes northeast to Sudbury, he said, the benefits to this region will be minimized. He went so far as to say that if Cliffs doesn’t choose Thunder Bay, he hopes it picks Greenstone. Which is not to say that Thunder Bay is fading from the running, not by a long shot. Its public face this week may not have been as shiny as Greenstone’s, but this city has as many benefits for Cliffs to consider.
Both communities stressed the importance of their alliance with First Nations. But while Hobbs and other Thunder Bay leaders travelled to Cleveland with Fort William First Nation Chief Peter Collins, the Greenstone delegation did not include a representative from Matawa First Nations with member communities closest to the Black Thor chromite deposit. Matawa recently withdrew its support for the project in a dispute over environmental review. Greenstone instead met Cliffs with Charles Fox, a former grand chief of the Nishnawbe Aski Nation which includes Matawa. As such, Fox could be signalling he may be able to help get Matawa back on side.
Whereas the Municipality of Greenstone encompasses the sites where the ore’s road and rail transportation routes meet, Thunder Bay has the huge additional benefit of a seaway port. Thunder Bay also counts among its partners Thunder Bay Hydro, a potential bonus as Cliffs presses the province for a better break on electricity pricing. This is the biggest drawback for any Northern Ontario site. Neighbouring Manitoba and Quebec enjoy lower industrial power rates, as do U.S. states on the other side of the Great Lakes.
One big plus for Thunder Bay is the existence of its Ontario power plant which produces just the right amount of electricity needed to power the electric arc furnaces that will process the chromite ore. Central to a longstanding Northwest argument for a homegrown power rate is the fact more power is produced here than is needed. Ontario’s plans to modernize its power grid could easily accommodate the electricity needs of the region and the processor.
One final nugget: As Hobbs and Collins peered out the window of their flight home Wednesday, they agreed vacant land on Mission Island next to the power plant would be the perfect place for Cliffs to build is processor.

Greenstone pumps up efforts for ferrochrome processor

GREENSTONE – In Cleveland yesterday afternoon, senior management of Cliffs Natural Resources hosted a multi-hour meeting with a delegation from the Municipality of Greenstone. The focus of the wide ranging discussion was the potential for siting a ferrochrome refinery at Exton Siding (between Nakina and the Aroland First Nation). Greenstone Mayor Renald (Ron) Beaulieu observed, “I was pleased and impressed with the responsiveness and attention our submission received from the Cliffs representatives. They asked some tough but important and insightful questions. Clearly they have been giving a lot of consideration to the benefits of the Exton site.”

The Greenstone presentation in Cleveland is an updated version of the “North West Kick- Start” plan released at a media conference in Thunder Bay earlier in the fall. However, the submission has been upgraded with more detailed information and maps related to electricity supply. The Greenstone delegation made similar presentations to officials at Queen’s Park before going to Cleveland.

The Mayor commented, “I am very pleased with the quality of the case the Greenstone delegation made in Cleveland. Residents of Greenstone and throughout the Region should be confident that we advanced important points in favour of Greenstone being the site for the ferrochrome refinery. The points made were related to sustainability, economics, electricity supply, First Nations relations and support.” The Mayor continued, “We also talked about the Greenstone mining and exploration legacy and its strategic location as a labour source for workers in all facets of the planned chromite operation.”

Charles Fox, a former Grand Chief of the Nishnawbe Aski Nation carefully outlined the important relationship that Greenstone has with local First Nations, and the overarching importance of the Matawa First Nations cooperation to the success of the project.

The Greenstone delegation and Cliffs spent a significant period of time in the session, discussing the electricity related aspect of the “North West Kick-Start” and how it supplied an innovative and cost effective way of providing the required electricity to the Exton site. Meeting these criteria is considered to be an important element of site selection.

The delegation included the Mayor, Greenstone Chief Administrative Officer Roy Sinclair, Charles Fox and Meladina Hardy, former Deputy Premier of Ontario, George Smitherman, Don Huff of Environmental Communications Options and Larry Doran of Imperium Energy.

The session ran overtime, and concluded with Cliffs thanking the delegation, agreement on a list of items for follow-up, and a discussion when the next meeting would be held in Greenstone.

Mayor Beaulieu stated that the Cleveland trip is only a single step in Greenstone’s work with area First Nations, Cliffs, and others to ensure the ferrochrome refinery is appropriately located in Exton.

Greenstone Officially Opens New Administrative Building

Yesterday marked the Official Opening of Greenstone's New Administration Building, a project that has been on the municipal agenda for over 30 years. Located on the shores of Kenogamisis Lake, the facility is wonderfully accommodating to having municipal staff in an interactive location and which will serve the municipal interests for years to come. 

Following on many similar positive comments made by the over 150 guests who attended yesterday's event, I was very proud to have been a part of this project. 

An energetic team of employees set the stage superbly for the Official Ribbon cutting ceremony including setting up guiding tours, and providing refreshments.

To the TEAM:

We saw Greenstone put it's Best Foot Forward yesterday. I commented to several that we saw a community celebrating yesterday and we did it WELL! The complements of Mayors Beaulieu, Power and Hobbs acknowledged a Greenstone dream that's been on the books for over 30 years!! The optimism and pride displayed yesterday in our celebration is evidence we are coming together and have a future to look forward to and one we are confident to invest in.

To the team.............I salute you as an example of "Service Excellence" and hope that it will continue to invite civic and personal pride. I said to Holly on the way home, that this was a great event in terms of organization, co-operation, and the community pride expressed by former Mayor Power, Mayor Beaulieu and contractor Rene Blouin. There was passion and sincerity spoken yesterday. I heard Michael and Renald deliver a resounding complimentary message of community and it made me exceptionally proud to have been a part of this process and to get us to this point in time.

 This event was an wonderful example of how we should celebrate Greenstone.   We so often hear so much of the downside, let's tell this story based upon the turnout of the citizens and guests who came out yesterday. 

My personal CONGRATULATIONS is extended to the team who worked so hard for "Our Opening." 

Regards,

Jay Daiter

Councillor, Nakina Ward

Municipality of Greenstone

P.O. Box 342

Nakina, Ontario

P0T 2H0

Fall, 2011 Nakina Ward Newsletter

Dear Citizens,                                                                                                                           Fall, 2011

Nakina has lost a good friend with the passing of Jeanne Schram. I can recall when I first met Jeanne as she registered Jan and Jon in Nakina Public School after they moved to Nakina from Ramsey, Ontario in the mid 70’s. I came to know Jeanne well over the years during her employ with the Nakina District School Area Board  and subsequently with the Township of Nakina and then Greenstone. Jeanne was our most familiar face in the Nakina Ward office who took her responsibilities seriously. She enjoyed talking and sharing her many projects and talents. On behalf of everyone who knew Jeanne, we acknowledge the 30 plus years of dedication to supporting our community and serving well, the needs of others.  Our condolences to Doug, Jon and Jan, and family.  

Three of our busier roads have been recently repaved (with Gas Tax revenue). Recognizing that there are more roads which need our attention,  the resurfacing of Cordingley Lake to the Airport, Center Street and Main were identified as strategic to address future local development potential.  Council has agreed to discuss a multi-year plan to address and repair Twin Lakes Road. I understand the importance of this link to the cottagers and property owners on Twin Lakes and will fight hard to ensure funding support is available for work to commence next spring.

On September 20^th, Greenstone made a significant media release supported with a technical paper aimed at strengthening our bid to host Cliff’s Ring of Fire chromite refinery. Numerous media groups covered the story across the newswire including Northern Ontario Business whose headlines read, “Why process chromite anywhere else?” The Chronicle Journal headline was, “Look no Further.” The release included a research report prepared by former provincial Energy Minister George Smitherman and Don Huff of Environmental Commutation Options who concluded the Exton site, west of Nakina, as the best spot for the processing furnaces due to its rail access, power supply and environmental sustainability. Larry Doran, president and CEO of Imperium Energy, said it is feasible to supply Exton with the required energy, which would not only allow Greenstone to be home to the refinery, but benefit the entire region. “It’s both economically and sustainably positive and possible to provide the required power to build the refinery at Exton on the schedule that Cliff Natural Resources has requested,” Doran said. “We’ve also found that it provides a base for a much better opening of the grid system in Northwestern Ontario

From left, Don Huff, president of Environmental Commutation Options; George Smitherman, consultant; and Larry Doran, president and CEO, Imperium Energy Inc., speak about a possible chromite refinery site, Tuesday morning at Thunder Bay’s Valhalla Inn. (Brent Linton)

This media release was strategic for Greenstone because it came the day before the Northwestern Ontario Chamber and the Northern Ontario Municipal Association’s joint fall conference (which included the first Northwestern Ontario provincial leadership debate). Next steps are well underway by our Council to forge and strengthen regional partners as we aim to land this economic opportunity. The Northwest Kick-Start option involves a V-shaped grid connecting Nipigon to Dryden or Ignace through Greenstone. Doran said it would create social and economic transformation in the region by providing service to a wide range of existing needs and the grid would be strengthened. “It is the best option, because it meets the timeline with certainty,” he said. “That certainty is very important to the business.

G&G Global Solutions was contracted by Greenstone to create a proposal for bringing the refinery to Exton. First Nation aspirations, energy supply and sustainability were the three keys in the proposal.

Further details of the media coverage can be found at: http://jay--daiter.blogspot.com/

The $5 million airport ACAP project is virtually complete only waiting for the back-up generator. Speaking with several users and municipal staff, the work was very well done.  Replacement fuel tanks and catwalk have been approved and are on order for the airport. I enjoyed flying out of the airport with Councillor Chris Walterson last week in his “Dragonfly” aircraft. There was a thrill even getting into the cockpit of such an aircraft, but even more so, when I realized how few options I had to escape. Chris was kind to respond to my interest in getting some aerial shots of Nakina this beautiful time of the year and capture Nakina from the air, in particular the potential site location for Cliff’s refinery at Exton.  Several of the photos will be used to market and further promote Nakina. 

 The new municipal office ribbon cutting is scheduled for Wednesday, October 19^th.  The public will be invited to tour the facility and meet the staff.  Mayor and Council were impressed with the letter written by the students from Nakina Public School. More on this to follow.

A meeting has been organized by the Recreation staff with all the Nakina user groups of the Nakina Complex. The meeting date is October 13th at 6 pm. The purpose is to develop a schedule for the Nakina Sports Complex. If you have not been contacted, please call the ward office at 329-5356 for more information.

Regards,

Jay Daiter ,

Nakina Ward Councillor, Municipality of Greenstone

Exton Viable to Site Cliff's Refining of Chromite from Ring of Fire

MEDIA RELEASE

New report concludes Exton is viable site for Ring of Fire Refinery

THUNDER BAY – September 20, 2011 - A report released today concludes that siting a ferrochrome refinery at Exton for Ring of Fire minerals is technically, environmentally and economically feasible. George Smitherman and Don Huff were contracted by the Municipality of Greenstone to push for establishing a Chromite refinery at Exton. Exton is located adjacent to the railway in the Municipality of Greenstone between Nakina and the Aroland First Nation.

"NW KICK START"

"Our analysis, with specific emphasis on the viability of supplying electricity to service the proposed arc furnaces concludes that Exton is well positioned to serve as the refinery site,” stated former Ontario Deputy Premier George Smitherman. Smitherman observed, "The Exton site has the significant advantage of fitting with the territorial expectations of First Nations and is economically feasible."

The Municipality of Greenstone asked that three major themes be addressed: 1. The Exton site must mesh with First Nation aspirations; 2. The viability of supplying adequate power; and 3. Sustainability considerations.

The specific request to review sustainability was made because developing any project of this scale has impacts – and there needs to be an awareness of how to avoid, minimize or mitigate them. If sustainability issues are not adequately addressed, there are risks to Ontario's natural environment and reputation and to the corporate evaluations of participating companies.

"The prospect of moving massive amounts of unrefined ore hundreds of kilometers past Exton (the terminus of the proposed north-south rail link to the Ring of Fire) is unnecessary, costly and undercuts sustainability principles," added Don Huff, President of Environmental Commutation Options, an environmental consulting firm with decades of experience in Ontario's environmental, energy and natural resources sectors.

"An Exton location minimizes impacts and contributes the most to project sustainability,” Huff added. “It also has the significant attribute of following the principles laid down by area First Nations, who appropriately insist that the value-added exercise of refining must be done in close proximity to the point of extraction. Refining the ore at Exton also saves at least 28 million dollars per year in transportation costs.”

Ferrochrome refinery arc furnaces consume large amounts of electricity. They also result in significant power quality concerns for other customers connected to the system. In Ontario it is tthe responsibility of the load customer creating the power quality issue to pay for any mitigation required. Given that (at least initially) there would be no other load customers connected to the 230 kV transmission within at least 100 km of the ferrochrome facility, the need for mitigation measures and hence the related costs may be significantly delayed or reduced at the Exton site compared to the other sites (Thunder Bay, Sudbury, Timmins) being considered for the ferrochrome facility. However the basic question was can the Exton site be supplied with adequate electricity. The task of answering this question was undertaken by Larry Doran of Imperium Energy Ltd. Mr. Doran, who is extremely knowledgeable about transmission issues and specifically the northern Ontario electricity grid, indicates it can be done.

Mr. Doran stated, "Not only is it technically feasible to get the required electricity to Exton, it can be done in a timely and cost-effective manner". He added, "In fact, my analysis shows that supplying electricity to Exton will provide electricity system benefits for the region. The associated benefits of a stronger expanded and reinforced energy supply system will generate economic and social benefit across northwestern Ontario."

Greenstone Mayor Ron Beaulieu, on receiving the report from Smitherman, Huff and Doran observed, "What began as a research project to assist Greenstone has emerged as a very real opportunity to build a new backbone for the economy of northwestern Ontario. It is clear that a decision to site a refinery in Greenstone will do the most to accelerate opportunity throughout our region.”

“Area First Nations will not stand by and watch our economic opportunities being shipped out of the region or to another jurisdiction,” said Chief Sonny Gagnon of Aroland First Nation. “This report provides Cliffs and the Governments of Canada and Ontario with a game plan for moving forward.”

Standing with Raymond Ferris, Ring of Fire Coordinator for Matawa First Nations, Mayor Beaulieu concluded, "We will continue to work with the First Nations as we make our case to Cliffs and to the Governments of Canada and Ontario."

-30-

For additional information or to schedule an interview contact:

Vicki Blanchard, Economic Development Officer Cell: 807-853-1000 Email: vicki.blanchard@greenstone.ca

Greenstone (Canada 2006 Census population 4,906) stretches 200km along TransCanada Highway 11 from Lake Nipigon to Longlac. It is one of the largest incorporated municipalities in Canada. Formed in 2001, it combined the Townships of Beardmore and Nakina, the Towns of Geraldton and Longlac with large unincorporated portions of Crown Land covering an area in excess of 3,000 sq.km.

The Ring of Fire is the area in the James Bay Lowlands in Northern Ontario, currently the site of major mining exploration projects (over 30,000 Claims have been staked). It has the potential to be the most significant mineral development in Ontario in over a century. It is centered on McFaulds Lake, 286 km from Greenstone on First Nation traditional lands.

Spring 2011 Ward Newsletter

Dear Citizens,

Gateway to the Ring of Fire – Building Capacity:

On June 7^th between noon and 1:30 p.m., you’re invited to meet with our Economic Development Officer, Vicki Blanchard when she is in Nakina. Vicki was recently hired this past December and has been working feverishly with numerous companies, businesses and funding partners. The resurgence in mining activities and the exciting prospects associated with developments in the Ring of Fire are forefront in her day-to-day work. The majority of the day will be spent introducing Vicki to our community and increasing her familiarity with Nakina and surrounding area. At our Council meeting of May 24^th, two important motions were introduced by Vicki that responded to encouragement from both FEDNOR and the Ministry of Northern Development and Mines and Forestry, which Council supported. The two motions will allow the Municipality to apply for two funding applications of $125,000 and $176,500. If successful, the funding will support Municipal coordination of the mining industry, federal and provincial governments, trade unions, Aboriginal peoples and environmental groups. The co-ordination efforts will focus on community development associated with power and transportation infrastructure, land acquisition, housing construction and the partnerships needed to fund the required investment. Nakina has the potential to be significantly impacted by the Ring of Fire developments. Our E.D.O. is tasked with ensuring we are investment ready and responsive to the opportunities and inquiries that are made of her.

Building Capacity

Economic Development Officer, Vicki Blanchard

June 7^th, 2011

Noon – 1:30 p.m

Nakina French Club

A light lunch will be served

Also this week, Council awarded the successful $ 4.3 M contract to C. Villeneuve Construction Co. Ltd. The contract is for the rehabilitation of the Nakina E Ruddick Airport runway and taxiway with replacement of edge lighting and the installation of a new auxillary power generator. The contract will be completed this summer. This project which is 100% funded by an ACAP federal grant and will ensure that the airport is upgraded and will better serve the region for many years.

Council has had numerous budget meetings this past month in preparation for passing the approved budget. I am optimistic that three main roads in Nakina will be repaved this summer with revenue coming from the Gas Tax Rebate. The roads include Cordingley Lake Rd (Center Street to the airport), Center Street (Main to Kingsland), and Main Street (Center to Railway).  Roadwork and granular fill to improve Twin Lakes Road has been identified.

The internet blog, “Greenstone Matters” can be viewed at http://jay--daiter.blogspot.com/ The ward newsletter and other personal posts will also reside at this site. You can easily comment on the posts and your participation is encouraged. We’re also on Facebook under “Greenstone Matters.”

Regards,

Jay Daiter (Nakina Ward Councillor)

Municipality of Greenstone

4th Annual "Greenstone Loop" Poker Rally

The Nakina Sno Club is holding the 4th Annual Greenstone Loop Poker Rally on Saturday, February 5, 2011.

The Greenstone Loop will allow snowmobilers the extreme pleasure of riding on 200km of the finest groomed trails anywhere. Don't miss this snowmobile run. Our fantastic snow conditions and immaculately groomed trail system are calling out for you.

Nestled in Northern Ontarioand accessible from the OFSC A trail, this 200km loop winds its way through the boreal forest connecting the communities of Geraldton, Longlac and Nakina.

Hospitality

Come experience this scenic loop, the excellent snow conditions and warm hospitality that Greenstone has to offer. Accommodations are available at Pennock's, R & D Apartments and Schallock's. The arena canteens in Longlac, Geraldton, and Nakina will be open. A casual, light, hot meal will be available in Nakina.

Poker Run

All hands will be made available when sledders arrive at the Nakina Sports/Arena Complex. The pass will be collected in Nakina at this check-in prior to receiving their poker hands. Each registrant will receive their 3 hands (included in the registration). Additional hands may be purchased in Nakina for $10.00 each.

For more information visit www.snowmobiling.greenstone.ca