A historic agreement was signed on Jan. 28 in Toronto by Ontario Premier Doug Ford, Aroland First Nation Chief Sonny Gagnon and Greg Rickford, Ontario’s minister of northern development and minister of Indigenous affairs and First Nations economic reconciliation. The agreement will see the provincial government commit over $90 million to upgrading vital infrastructure in northern Ontario, which will both enable the mining of critical minerals in the Ring of Fire region—with improved roads facilitating the transport of materials to processing plants—and connect multiple First Nations communities to major highways.  

Ontario’s Ring of Fire region, located about 500 kilometres northeast of Thunder Bay, spans roughly 5,000 square kilometres. It holds significant potential to produce critical minerals such as copper, chromite, cobalt, nickel and platinum.  

Aroland First Nation is situated at the gateway to the Ring of Fire, 60 kilometres north of the community of Geraldton along Highways 584/643. The new agreement will support upgrades to the Anaconda and Painter Lake roads, including the possible creation of a road advisory body to help advance these improvements. These roads connect to essential infrastructure links via Highway 643 and will eventually link to the Marten Falls Community Access Road, Northern Road Link and Webequie Supply Road. This will enhance access to the Ring of Fire region while also providing Martin Falls First Nation and Webequie First Nation with improved connectivity to Ontario’s highway network.  

From the funding, a total of $70 million will be allocated to progress route and design planning for the Greenstone electricity transmission line, in collaboration with Aroland First Nation, Animbiigoo Zaagi’igan Anishinaabek, Ginoogaming First Nation, Biinjitiwaabik Zaaging Anishinaabek, Bingwi Neyaashi Anishinaabek and Red Rock Indian Band. 

Approximately $20 million will support community infrastructure projects designed to foster business development and enhance community preparedness to participate in economic activities related to regional mineral development. The agreement also includes up to $2.27 million for a comprehensive community plan aimed at supporting business development and enhancing community wellness. The Ontario government has also shared in a Jan. 28 press release that Aroland First Nation has expressed interest in acting as a proponent for developing a transload facility and serving as a host community for a smelter, with the province offering its support as the Nation looks into future opportunities. 

“We know that Aroland First Nation and the surrounding communities have endured brittle infrastructure for a long time, so with the leadership of the premier and Chief Sonny Gagnon, we have built out an agreement that we can celebrate,” said Rickford at the press conference announcing the agreement. “[The agreement] reflects partnerships, not just with Aroland First Nation, but a number of First Nations communities. This is a historic day in no uncertain terms, as we build consensus and form partnerships with communities.” 

“This renewed partnership is a cornerstone for long-term growth and prosperity in northern Ontario,” said Ford. “The agreement provides critical funding to help drive economic development, build and upgrade roads, improve access to critical minerals and resource development opportunities and connect First Nations communities to essential services in the Greenstone region.” 

Ford added that this partnership marks the first time in Ontario’s history that agreements are in place to build roads along the entire route to the Ring of Fire. 

“I’m very excited,” said Chief Gagnon. “I think we’re going to be looking at a lot of opportunities for my community to build what we need to build.” 

This announcement follows last week’s news that the federal government and 15 First Nations communities have finalized the terms of reference required to begin an environmental assessment of the Ring of Fire. The terms outline a schedule requiring a working group to submit a final report within 30 months. The assessment will cover transmission lines, roads and all regional developments, including future mines.  

This recent agreement builds on letters of confirmation that were signed by Ford in June 2024, which outlined the provincial government’s commitments to invest in new roads to improve highway connectivity for First Nations communities, improved infrastructure and skills training to support mining in the Ring of Fire.  

No timelines were provided for the start of road construction.  

Wyloo Canada, which has a project that is furthest along in development in the Ring of Fire region, is aiming to commence construction of its Eagle’s Nest nickel mine in 2027. The company is currently focused on initiating permitting work and obtaining necessary approvals, with an updated feasibility study expected this year. Production is slated to begin in 2030. In May 2024, the company also shared that it is aiming to construct Canada’s first downstream battery materials processing facility in Sudbury, using nickel sourced primarily from the Eagle’s Nest mine. This facility would potentially open in 2030.