Noront Resources

Another major investment at the E. Ruddick airport for airside development is underway. Building upon the increasing air traffic and fuel requirements associated with the Ring of Fire mining explorations to the north of Nakina, the Council will support a funding application request to the NOHFC. As the application is being developed, I expect that the plan will address an expanded apron, paved access to the eight lots, as well as the development of commercially available lots with support services. In the interim, discussions are continuing with three companies who have expressed interest in operating airside at the E. Ruddick Airport. All three companies wish to conduct their business at the E. Ruddick Airport commencing this fall. Property will be prepared that will be leased to them and which supports their business interests. Petro Value, Graham Energy and NorOnt are all aware of the development opportunities associated with their private business ventures that can be supported by allowing a larger airside lot as the overall project extends into next summer.

On August 9th, Council supported and approved the engagement of E.B.A. Engineering Consultant’s Ltd. to prepare a design plan for the R. Elmer Ruddick Airport expansion. At a cost of just over $18,000, the plan will generate the data the Municipality requires to more accurately identify the requirements when we complete and file the NOHFC application for funding to support this expansion. The scope of the project is expected to address the apron design, lighting, lot preparation and service installations, and service road access to 8 airside lots. The improvements to the Nakina airport are being made strategically and are expected to maintain and attract the interest of businesses and developers especially as the mining activity ramps up in the Ring of Fire.

Representation from Council was made to three Provincial Ministers in mid-August at the annual AMO Conference. Significant to improving the local economy were two meetings with the Minister of Northern Development, Mines & Forestry (Honourable Michael Gravelle) and the Minister of Energy & Infastructure (Honourable Brad Duguid) when they were presented with two briefs addressing electricity to The Ring of Fire. Our request to both Ministers described in the briefs reads:

That the Minister take all actions necessary to ensure the construction within 3 years of a new transmission line from Cameron Falls to Nakina, in an already existing transmission corridor, to provide the electricity necessary to meet the electric arc furnace requirements at the Nakina site, And that the Minister work with the Premier and Cabinet to provide electricity costing for this project competitive with adjacent provinces.

Here is an extract from our briefs that invites optimism:

· 176 Miles – That’s how close the largest chromite deposits in the world are to the community of Nakina in the Municipality of Greenstone

· These chromite deposits in the Ring of Fire have a life expectancy of 50 to 100 years at an extraction rate of 15,000 tons per day or 5 million tons annually.

· Processing of the ore is initially projected to be done in Nakina using electric arc furnaces.

· The development of the project could take another 6 years; however, the bulk of the construction work would probably occur over the next 3 years

· This project will create 2,300 direct jobs over the 3 year period and cost more than $2 billion.

· Estimated provincial tax revenues during the 3 year construction phase would be in excess of $ 414 million while annual provincial tax revenues would be in excess of $112 million for every year of operation.

· The project will provide incredible economic benefits to our region and the province.

· First Nation organizations are adamant that the ore be processed / refined in their area for the benefit of the people in that area – not for the benefit of others elsewhere, either in, or out of the Province.

Two streets in Nakina in need of restoration and resurfacing, will be completed this fall. The section of Ontario Street which was excavated late last summer, is one street which has a very poor road base but will be restored. Main Street will also be repaved following the required work to address the upgrades to the water lines. Local roads which are high on the list of restoration also include the area of the min-sub (Aspen Drive, Manaham Bay, Mackie Drive, Balkham Rd.) and Center Street.

The Nakina Volunteer Fire Department will soon have it’s new Rescue Unit Vehicle as it is being retrofitted with the necessary new equipment. The total cost of the rescue vehicle will be approximately $60,000.

The completion of back-up generating power to the K.C. lift station to avoid potential and past instances where residents have had backup flows into their basements, is now completed. I was pleased that a direct power line was laid running under Balkam Creek last winter, between the water treatment plant and the lift located at the entrance to Northwood Drive, rather than employing a back-up generator that was an earlier consideration.

The official status of our A.C.A.P. announcement related to the E. Ruddick Airport should be made within the next few weeks. The ACAP project details the design for the runway rehabilitation (repaving), runway lighting upgrades and an auxiliary power generator for the R. Elmer Ruddick Nakina. The cost of this project is approximately $4 million and is expected to be fully- funded through the ACAP program. This is a major local project which will enhance Nakina’s role in providing necessary air service to our northern communities and to the mining / exploration sites to the north of us.

Progress continues on the development of a permanent, all season road from Nakina to Marten Falls. As another strategy to promote the regional economy, especially as it relates to realizing the Ring of Fire opportunities for our area, the Council voted to support this venture through a motion providing $10,000 as one funding partner in an NOHFC application to acquire financial assistance for this road construction. Another example of how the importance of Nakina’s location is relative to the development to the north of us.

As the chair of Tourism Committee of Council, I’m pleased that we’re starting to see visible results of our early efforts to increase the visibility of Greenstone through better promotion and marketing. Now supported with our newly-hired tourism intern (Brent Henley), Travis Schallock and Danny Michel guided Jim Hoey (The Dimestore Fisherman) and his film crew recently while in Nakina. As one highlight of the five-day video shoot across Greenstone, Jim described at supper, a stellar fishing experience for smallmouth bass on Cordingly Lake. One week after the very successful 25th Annual Nakina Bass Tournament, and enjoying two recent editorial reviews by Gord Ellis (one in Ontario Outdoor Life and the second in the Chronicle Journal), The DimeStore Fisherman has indicated he’d like to join in on the event next year after being treated to another of Greenstone’s signature tourism events. I listened with interest to the dinner conversation in our “Country Kitchen” as Danny, Travis, Brent, and Jim spoke of ideas to ensure the Bass Derby continues to be an event that is actively supported by anglers, the volunteers of the Nakina Fish and Game Club and this renewed tourism initiative. I enjoyed the opportunity to help profile the Kenogamisis Golf Course in the same video shoot and introduced Jim and the film crew to some of the key players on the Club’s Executive and to capture footage of our superb 18 hole course. Streaming video content for our community portal as well as television broadcasts both in Canada and the U.S. are included in this tourism promotional project.

Congratulations to Magali Roy and the supporters of the CornFest sponsored by Le Club Francais. While the crowd wasn’t huge, the spirit was gigantic. I was joined by many who enjoyed the games of horseshoes, washers, the inflatables for the youth, the social gathering and the refreshments. It is reassuring to see the spirit of our Club is vibrant.

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.

Regards,

Jay Daiter, Nakina Ward Councillor