July 7, 2011 – Republic of Mining

Northern Ontario growth plan summit gets mixed reviews – by Patrick Demers and Lindsay Kelly (Northern Ontario Business – July, 2011)

July 7, 2011

Established in 1980, Northern Ontario Business provides Canadians and international investors with relevant, current and insightful editorial content and business news information about Ontario’s vibrant and resource-rich North. Ian Ross is the editor of Northern Ontario Business ianross@nob.on.ca and this article is from the July, 2011 issue.

Delegates seek action on Northern Growth Plan

Attending the Think North II summit and working with delegates from across Northern Ontario marks the halfway point to a successful Growth Plan for Northern Ontario, said Irish guest speaker John Gallagher.

But for most listening to his presentation, it certainly didn’t feel that way. Nearly 500 people representing communities and townships from across Northern Ontario attended the four-day summit hosted by the Ministry of Northern Development, Mines and Forestry (MNDMF) in Thunder Bay and Sudbury.

The event attracted guest speakers from around the world who shared their stories of economic development success with those in attendance, and offered ideas and advice as to how Northern Ontario can improve theirs. But the more delegates listened, the more some got upset.

A newkind of harvest [Northern Ontario Peat fuel] – by Ian Ross (Northern Ontario Business – February, 2009)

July 7, 2011

Provincial off-coal promise speeds prospects for northwestern Ontario peat fuel development

A test burn of peat pellets this spring at an Atikokan generating station could build a case for a new type of forestry in northwestern Ontario. Peat Resources Ltd. is working with Ontario Power Generation (OPG) and university researchers to determine if peat can be a viable renewable fuel to help the province get off using coal for electricity generation by 2014.

The Toronto’s company’s once-stalled peat harvesting project in Upsala is back on track through a collaboration with the Ontario Centres of Excellence, Lakehead University, Ottawa’s
CANMET Energy Technology Centre and OPG.

They are involved in a large combustion trial at the Atikokan Generating Station combining 500 tons of peat pellets with wood pellets and coal. OPG was granted a Certificate of Approval by Ministry of the Environment this year to do a limited test burn.

NEWS RELEASE: Peat Resources in Ontario

July 7, 2011

July 5, 2011

Trading Symbol: PET-TSX Venture Exchange

Peat Resources Limited has renewed its permits on 19,000 hectares of peatlands in the Upsala area of northwestern Ontario and has received a Letter of Authority from the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources to carry out surveys and resource evaluations of peatlands in the McFaulds Lake (Ring of Fire) region.

As previously reported, the Upsala properties are located adjacent to the TransCanada Highway and CP railway, about 130 km northwest of Thunder Bay, and contain approximately 200 million tonnes of fuel-grade peat (defined at NI 43-101 standard). The peat resources are within economic transportation distance of OPG’s Atikokan Generating Station and the Port of Thunder Bay.

The McFaulds Lake peatlands are of special interest because of their proximity to Ring of Fire mineral exploration activity. Proposals for development of these base metal deposits point to the need for over 50 MW of power at the remote mine sites and up to 300 MW at a ferrochrome processing facility at a location to be determined in northern Ontario. Peat Resources Limited is in discussion with the mining companies, provincial government authorities including the Ring of Fire Secretariat and First Nations of the region.

Master Plan To Destroy Northern Ontario – by Gregory Reynolds (Highgrader Magazine – Summer 2011)

July 7, 2011

This column was originally published in the Late Summer, 2011 issue of Highgrader Magazine which is committed to serve the interests of northerners by bringing the issues, concerns and culture of the north to the world through the writings and art of award-winning journalists as well as talented freelance artists, writers and photographers.

The recent annual meeting of Federation of Northern Ontario Municipalities (FONOM) heard a great deal of comment, and concern, expressed about the Ontario government’s love affair with Greater Sudbury and Thunder Bay. Speakers claimed these two cities appear to be favoured when the Liberal government of Dalton McGuinty doles out assistance to the North.

That the two largest centres are special, even privileged, should not have been a surprise to those in attendance.

Members of Timmins city council should have been least surprised since famous prospector, and equally famous outspoken advocate for Northern Ontario, Don McKinnon presented each of them with two documents in 2004: The Master Plan to Destroy Northern Ontario; and Addendum to The Master Plan to Destroy Northern Ontario.

For peat’s sake: Use this source of energy – Stan Sudol (Toronto Star – February 11, 2005)

July 7, 2011

The Toronto Star, which has the largest broadsheet circulation in Canada, has an enormous impact on Canada’s federal and provincial politics as well as shaping public opinion.

This article is being posted for archival purposes. Stan Sudol is a Toronto-based communications consultant who writes extensively on mining issues. stan.sudol@republicofmining.com

Not since the oil price hikes of the 1970s has Ontario’s energy future been so precarious. Dwindling North American gas supplies, Middle-East turmoil and enormous energy demands from Chinas are all causing shortages and price increases of oil, gas and coal.

To keep a green election promise to reduce pollution, the Ontario Liberals are committed to closing five coal-fired power plants, which supply 25 per cent of the province’s electricity.

The one Ontario fuel source that could help the province weather the energy turmoil of the next few years is all but ignored. That energy source is peat, a relatively economical alternative that produces significantly less pollution than coal. A 1982 provincial report indicated that Ontario’s peat resources have the energy equivalent of approximately 26 billion barrels of oil – this province’s version of the Alberta tar sands.