Special to Ontario Construction News
Ontario has begun construction on the Webequie Supply Road to the Ring of Fire, a remote, marshy region in the James Bay Lowlands that contains one of the world’s largest undeveloped, high-grade nickel, copper, zinc, platinum and palladium deposits. The minerals are used in products ranging from smartphones to electric vehicles.
The 107-kilometre all-season road connecting Webequie First Nation to the mining region 540 kilometres north of Thunder Bay is to open by November 2030, four years ahead of schedule, Ontario Premier Doug Ford said in a statement.
The 5,000 sq. km. Ring of Fire region of northwestern Ontario includes the world’s largest boreal forest free from substantial human disturbance.
Webequie is one of two First Nations working with the province on the road that would connect communities to the proposed mining site and Ontario’s highway network.
Several First Nations in the region oppose development in the Ring of Fire, arguing that its peatlands and wetlands are highly vulnerable to pollutants such as mining waste. Road construction is also seen as a threat to wildlife, including threatened caribou herds.
Australia-based miner Wyloo is planning a nickel and other mines in the McFaulds Lake area, the Ring of Fire’s exploration hub.
Along with Juno Corp. a Canadian junior mining company formed in 2019 to exploit the Ring of Fire’s critical minerals, Wyloo holds the lion’s share of the region’s 40,000 mining stakes.
“This work is about ensuring Webequie is in a stronger position for the future,” Webequie Chief Lorraine Whitehead said in a statement.
“We want decisions affecting our territory to create lasting benefits for our people while protecting the land and waters that have sustained us for generations. We will continue to move forward carefully and deliberately, on our own terms, with a focus on building a better future for our community.”
Webequie First Nation said a completed environmental assessment has approved the Webequie Supply Road only.
“It is not an approval for any mine development. Any future mine project in the region would be subject to its own separate regulatory process and would need to undergo an Indigenous-led assessment, with full consideration of potential impacts, community priorities, inherent and treaty rights, environmental protection, and long-term benefits.”
Once complete and connected to other planned roads, the Webequie Supply Road will improve year-round access to goods and services and connect Webequie to health and social programs while creating lasting First Nation-led economic growth, the province said.
Webequie First Nation is an Ojibway community that relies on winter roads that are impassable longer due to climate change.
“Ontario’s Ring of Fire is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to create 70,000 good-paying jobs, access the critical minerals the world wants to buy, add $22 billion to our provincial economy and help Northern Ontario reach its full economic potential,” said Premier Ford who visited the fly-in First Nation community on Thursday
The province has agreed to provide nearly $40 million to build a community centre with an arena, rebuild an airport terminal and provide equipment to build the road.
Webequie has already cleared part of the road that sits on its reserve situated on an island about 500 kilometres north of Thunder Bay.
Construction of the Webequie Supply Road will involve 31 water crossings, including six bridges and 25 culverts, in addition to aggregate sites and a maintenance facility.
The road is one of several proposed road projects that form part of the Ring of Fire road network. The other projects are the Marten Falls Community Access Road, Anaconda and Painter Lake Road upgrades and the Northern Road Link.
Pending all necessary approvals and consultation:
- The Marten Falls Community Access Road is scheduled to start construction in August 2026 and open by November 2031, four years ahead of schedule.
- Upgrades to the Anaconda and Painter Lake Roads are scheduled to open by November 2030, two years ahead of schedule.
- The Northern Road Link is to start construction in spring 2028 and open by November 2031, five years ahead of schedule.
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