Noront Resources

With all due respect, mining claims in Ontario have not been patentable for many years. That process has been replaced by the issuance of 21 year leases......for mining and surface rights or mining rights only on Crown land.

Mr. Hickman appears to have staked about 120 claims during this past June and July along a sinuous route presumably one which has a high probability of becoming either a rail line or an all season road from Nakina to the core of the ROF. To hold all those claims in good standing, approximately $700K worth of recognized/acceptable assessment work must be performed within two years. There appears to be no logical reason for staking those claims from a geological/exploration perspective.The cost of staking these claims was not pocket change by long shot.

If Hoov's interpretation vis-a-vis the preservation of "rights of ways" for public roads/rail lines is correct, then why bother? Hoping for compensation down the road? Misunderstanding of statutes in Ontario? Intend to apply under the Aggregate Resources Act for permission to extract sand/gravel (route may follow an esker) at a later date?

Any thoughts??

Respectfully submitted

geoprof