Ford government celebrates construction work on northern Ontario mining roads

Construction has officially begun on roads leading to the Ring of Fire, a remote and mineral-rich area in northern Ontario. The Ontario government and Aroland First Nation announced the commencement of work to upgrade the Anaconda and Painter Lake roads, key components of a larger network designed to facilitate mining operations.

Premier Doug Ford stated that building these roads will unlock $22 billion in economic potential and create 70,000 jobs. He highlighted the partnership with Aroland First Nation, emphasizing improved access to services for community members and thanking Chief Sonny Gagnon for his collaboration. Ford's government has prioritized developing an all-season road to the Ring of Fire since 2018, viewing it as crucial for economic self-sufficiency and for providing resources that could be of interest to the United States.

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By building the roads to the Ring of Fire, we are unlocking $22 billion in economic potential and 70,000 good-paying jobs, while working with partners like Aroland First Nation to improve access to services for community members.

The Ring of Fire is highly sought after by major mining companies due to its abundance of critical minerals, essential for modern technologies like phones and batteries. The provincial government has accelerated work on the project since winning the 2025 election, including expedited environmental assessments. The Ministry of Transportation, represented by Minister Prabmeet Sarkaria, affirmed the government's commitment to historic investments in the provincial highway network to access the Ring of Fire while supporting economic opportunities for northern Ontario First Nations.

The government reported that this construction work with Aroland First Nation is five years ahead of schedule. This development is part of a broader strategy to boost Ontario's economy and resource sector, leveraging the region's mineral wealth and fostering partnerships with Indigenous communities.

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Our government is making historic investments in our provincial highway network to unlock access to the Ring of Fire while supporting economic opportunities for First Nations in northern Ontario.