A stronger economy, made from the Ring of Fire

The Ring of Fire is an area in Northern Ontario rich with critical minerals.

It is located more than 500 kilometres northeast of Thunder Bay and currently has an active claim area about 8,000 square kilometres in size. It contains one of the most promising mineral development opportunities in the world, representing enormous economic potential.

Its vast supply of critical minerals includes:

  • chromite
  • copper
  • nickel
  • platinum
  • titanium

We rely on these critical minerals for almost everything we do throughout the day.

Cell phones, computers, medical devices and the energy we use all rely on critical minerals. As technology quickly changes, the global demand for these minerals is increasing.

In this time of economic uncertainty, we need to build a more competitive, resilient and self-reliant economy. Sourcing critical minerals right here in Ontario is a key part of our economic future and long-term prosperity.

Ontario’s critical minerals could:

  • be processed and shipped to factory floors in Ontario, maintaining secure local supply chains
  • build a more competitive, resilient and self-reliant economy
  • create more than 70,000 jobs in industries across Ontario
  • generate over $22 billion dollars for Ontario’s economy over 30 years to help fund schools, hospitals and public services

We’re putting our resources to work to build a bright future for all Ontarians.

Improving the mine permitting process

Right now, the permitting and authorization processes for mining projects is a maze of overlapping approvals from multiple ministries and levels of government.

This means it can take up to 15 years to open a mine in Ontario.

To cut red tape and duplicative processes that have held back major infrastructure and mining projects, we introduced legislation that lets us designate regions where multiple critical mineral deposits are present as regions of strategic importance. This includes the Ring of Fire.

This legislation also includes a new One Project, One Process approval model. The new model will:

  • streamline all government approvals into one process, coordinated by a dedicated team
  • reduce government review times by at least 50%
  • maintain robust environmental standards and Ontario’s duty to consult with Indigenous communities

Working with Indigenous partners

Ontario’s progress relies on strong Indigenous partnerships.

We are working directly with Indigenous partners through bilateral agreements that support each community’s unique needs and priorities.

We are supporting critical infrastructure in the region, including:

  • developing all-season road access and upgrades to existing critical highway infrastructure
  • high-speed internet access through the Matawa Broadband project
  • energy transmission project planning and development to improve electricity reliability to First Nation communities, support mining development and enable new supply resources

Support for Indigenous communities

Ontario is investing in loans, grants and scholarships to support Indigenous participation, partnership and ownership in Ontario’s critical mineral supply chain:

All-season road access

Developing key infrastructure, including all-season, dependable road access, is a critical step to unlocking economic opportunities and benefits in the Ring of Fire.

When complete, an improved all-season road network that connects to our provincial highways will:

  • help improve access to goods and services, including education, health care and housing for Northern and First Nation communities
  • connect Ring of Fire critical minerals with manufacturing hubs in the south

In partnership with Indigenous communities, we’re helping advance all-season road projects, including:

Map of proposed road environmental assessment study areas

Enlarge Map

Map descriptive text and disclaimer

This map shows proposed road study areas and routes in the Ring of Fire region. It also shows First Nation communities, existing roads, winter roads and railway lines.

The following study areas and proposed routes are highlighted:

  • Webequie Supply Road study area and preferred route
  • Northern Road Link study area
  • Marten Falls Community Access Road study area and preferred route
  • Anaconda and Painter Lake Roads proposed upgrades study area

The proposed study areas represent areas identified for environmental assessments only. They do not reflect any actual infrastructure routing.

Any actual final routing of a proposed road within these study areas, including the community identified preferred routing options, is subject to the completion of an environmental assessment, including satisfaction of the Crown’s duty to consult and other regulatory requirements.

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