The Ring of Fire: The Story So Far – ECO

Most Ontarians have heard of the Ring of Fire, but few have ever been there. This is probably because the Ring of Fire is more than 500 kilometres northeast of Thunder Bay – and there are no railways or all-season roads that go to the region. This remote, crescent-shaped area has significant mineral deposits of chromite, nickel, copper, zinc, gold and other minerals that are estimated to be worth $60 billion. Over 20 companies have mining claims in the region, covering more than 2,000 square kilometres. This massive development potential and economic opportunity has made the Ring of Fire the most pressing planning issue in the Far North.

The Ring of Fire is just a small part of Ontario’s Far North region, which makes up 42 per cent of the province. The Far North is one of the world’s largest intact ecosystems, an area of international ecological significance and a stronghold for biodiversity, including at-risk species like woodland caribou, wolverine and polar bear. Its peatlands are important carbon stores, and its forests are part of the largest block of boreal forest still free from large-scale human disturbance. The Far North also holds the traditional territories of 38 First Nations communities. In 2007, the ECO highlighted the need for a strong, ecologically sound, landscape-level planning system for the Far North.

Read More: http://www.eco.on.ca/blog/2014/09/23/ring-fire-story-far/