Ontario asks Harper to help develop massive Ring of Fire mining project

TORONTO - Premier Dalton McGuinty is asking for Prime Minister Stephen Harper's help in developing the Ring of Fire in northern Ontario.

McGuinty says he spoke to Harper on Tuesday about how they could work together with First Nations communities to develop the massive mining project.

He says they need to build a road and extend an electricity transmission line to the Ring of Fire, about 500 kilometres northeast of Thunder Bay.

McGuinty says the province can't do it alone and thinks he piqued Harper's curiosity about the project, which includes the largest chromite discovery in North America.

It also has the potential for the production of copper, nickel and platinum.

Cliffs Natural Resources plans to invest $3.3 billion to develop a chromite mine, a transportation corridor and a $1.8-billion smelter near Sudbury.

But the Ontario government is facing opposition from environmentalists and some aboriginal and northern communities.

Many First Nations complained they were not consulted about the Cliffs' development, and expressed concern about the impact of the mine on such a pristine area.

McGuinty's meeting with Harper wasn't mentioned in his daily itinerary that's sent to reporters, even though it has included meetings with visiting politicians in recent weeks.

Asked why the meeting was kept secret, McGuinty's staff said the premier has private, informal meetings with politicians from time to time.