Supplied by Sault MP Terry Sheehan…

July 13, 2018 – Sault Ste. Marie, ON – MP Sheehan first met with Alan Coutts more than two years ago in Ottawa and has met many more times with him and other representatives of NORONT. I am pleased that NORONT has decided to continue to work with the Sault’s Team on this very important economic project. I will continue to work with the Mayor, MPP, Economic Development Corporation, City Staff, members of the community, and other private/public stakeholders to make sure we can demonstrate why the Sault is the best location for this facility.

City of Sault Ste. Marie news release…
Sault Ste. Marie, ON (2018 07 13) – The City of Sault Ste. Marie’s submission is one of two selected by Noront Resources Inc. to move on to the next stage of the process to select a site for a Ferrochrome Production Facility.
The Sault FPF Project team is looking forward to continue working with Noront. The City’s submission was based on comprehensive research and analysis by the project team, in consultation with sector experts. It included detailed responses to the information requested by the company, and focused on competitive advantages such as: location, logistics, industrial workforce and the community.
“I want to thank Noront Resources for their professionalism throughout this process, and I appreciate the working relationship we have developed with its management team,” said Mayor Christian Provenzano.
“I was pleased to present our submission in person this past winter. It was a strong submission that resulted from the hard work of our project team members. On that note, I want to thank the members of the project team and I also want to thank our local MP Terry Sheehan and our local MPP Ross Romano for their efforts and support. Today’s announcement means our work on this file is not finished. Moving forward, community and First Nation consultation is an integral aspect of the site selection process. It is important to the leadership of the community, and the community itself, that a broad and substantial effort is made to educate the public about the current technological process involved in a modern Ferrochrome Production Facility. Noront shares this belief and has assured me of its commitment to work with me in this regard.”
During the next stage of this process, Noront will continue discussions with Algoma regarding the location of a potential FPF on the Algoma property.
“A lot of hard work went into producing a high quality, comprehensive submission, and it is great to see it has been well received by Noront,” said Dan Hollingsworth, Project Lead. “Noront has been a tremendous organization to deal with, and I am looking forward to continue working with them. Throughout this process, the company has reiterated its commitment to community engagement along with best-in-class technologies and environmental practices.”
Background
Noront Resources, a Canadian-based mining firm, is planning to build a FPF in Northern Ontario that would produce ferrochrome, a key ingredient in stainless steel. Sault Ste. Marie was shortlisted as one of four potential locations, and has been selected as one of the two communities moving forward to the next stage of this process. Once a community is selected as a feasible site a comprehensive, multi-year environmental assessment process will commence. Only if the project passes stringent environmental regulations will any construction begin. The FPF is expected to employ between 300 and 500 people directly, along with more than 1,000 indirectly through suppliers and other businesses. Construction of the FPF is estimated to cost between $600 and $800 million. Production is expected to begin within five to 10 years.