Ring of Fire Protest

A First Nations blockade of mining activity at the Ring of Fire in northern Ontario could end as early as nextweek.

That's if a new memorandum of agreement is accepted by the Ontario government and the mining companies.

Marten Falls First Nation Chief Elijah Moonias met with government and industry representatives yesterday and outlined their concerns.

They include speeding up construction of a new airport, more environmental accountability for the mining companies, and the end to the use of frozen lakes as landing strips due to environmental concerns.

A group of First Nations set up blockades on the landing strips at Koper and McFaulds lakes in the Ring of Fire, a potentially massive chromite deposit 500 kilometres northeast of Thunder Bay.

The blockade is effectively preventing planes used by mining companies from landing in the area.

The First Nations say the blockade could end by February 18th if all parties agree to address their concerns within the next six months.