The province says a road rehabilitation project in Geraldton, about halfway between Hearst and Thunder Bay, is the first segment on the road network into the Ring of Fire and its critical minerals.
Nearly $62 million is being invested in the project connecting Highway 11 to Highway 584.
The government says developing all-season, dependable road access is a critical step to unlocking economic opportunities and benefits in the Ring of Fire. Â
They say it will strengthen local economies in the North, support local First Nations, create jobs and build a secure supply chain for Ontario manufacturing. Â
“This is more than a roadworks project — it’s a signal that Geraldton is a gateway to one of Ontario’s greatest assets in the face of economic threats from the United States, and that our government is serious about supporting the communities that anchor the North,” says Greg Rickford, Minister of Indigenous Affairs and First Nations Economic Reconciliation and Minister Responsible for Ring of Fire Economic and Community Partnerships. “With First Nations and communities as integral leaders in these projects, our government is ensuring partnerships remain a central piece of our commitment to unlocking the Ring of Fire and building infrastructure that delivers prosperity for Northern and First Nations communities, for generations to come.”
The province says the Ring of Fire covers approximately 5,000 square kilometres and contains one of the most promising mineral development opportunities in the world such as nickel, copper, platinum and chromite.
