The Ring of Fire

In far northern Ontario, on Treaty 9 territory, a vast deposit of critical minerals has come to be known as the Ring of Fire. It’s named for the Johnny Cash song and the crescent shape of the mineral deposits there, which cover about 5,000 square kilometres.

The nickname was introduced by a mining company CEO in the early 2000s, but the region is known as Bakitanaamowin Aki, which means “the Breathing Lands” and Mammamattawa, or “many rivers coming together,” by the First Nations that call it home.

Mining companies first staked deposits here in 2007, sparking a blitz of claims and rapture over its potential. At first, companies were excited about chromite, which is used to make stainless steel. But global markets changed over time, and more recently the focus has been the critical minerals needed for the clean energy transition, including for things like electric vehicle batteries.

In 2025, natural resource projects such as the Ring of Fire gained stature in provincial and federal politics, as governments sought ways to strengthen Canada’s economy to withstand U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariff battle. The Ontario and federal governments both passed legislation that gave them new powers to fast-track projects and exempt them from certain regulatory requirements. Ford said in June 2025 that he wants to designate the Ring of Fire as a “special economic zone,” which could exempt it from various regulatory hurdles, but the formal designation hasn’t happened yet.

Meanwhile, the wheels are in motion to build an all-season road to the Ring of Fire — a key prerequisite for any mining activities, because the region is currently only accessible by plane and, for a few months each year, ice roads.

What is the Ring of Fire in Ontario and why does it matter?

Doug Ford famously pledged in 2018 that he’d make mining in the Ring of Fire happen, even if he had to hop on a bulldozer himself. The mining opportunity has played into Ford’s most recent election platforms, and the Ring of Fire has become so important to the Ontario government’s economic agenda that it purchased advertisements during the 2025 World Series to build public support for mining in the region.

But what would mining in the Ring of Fire mean to the First Nations that call the region home? A broad environmental and socioeconomic study of development in the area — known as a regional assessment — is underway through the federal Impact Assessment Agency to help answer that question. However, an interim report released by the agency in January 2026 states that some participating First Nations have not been able to fully contribute to the process due to inequitable resourcing and “dire emergency and crisis conditions” in their communities.

For many, environmental concerns are top of mind. The peatlands of northern Ontario sequester a huge amount of carbon, an estimated 35 billion tonnes (that’s equivalent to annual emissions from 39 billion cars). The peatlands also serve as critical habitat for wildlife including caribou, wolverines and many migratory birds. 

Mining development could bring enormous change for the environment and First Nations in this critical area.

What are First Nations saying about Ring of Fire plans?

The elected chiefs and band councils of various First Nations — more than a dozen are near the Ring of Fire — have differing opinions on mining and other development in their homelands. 

Attawapiskat, Fort Albany and Neskantaga First Nations issued a moratorium on development in the area in 2021, saying no projects should go ahead until they receive proper environmental scrutiny and First Nations are truly equal partners. Similarly, Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug and Wapekeka First Nations have called on the Ontario government to permanently protect three million hectares of their homelands in northern Ontario to “balance out” any mining approvals that are granted in the Ring of Fire.

Meanwhile, three First Nations along the route of the proposed road to the Ring of Fire have signed agreements with the provincial government to speed up development. The agreements outline the economic benefits the Indigenous communities can expect as a result of the mining project moving forward. Chief Bruce Achneepineskum from Marten Falls First Nation has called the proposed Ring of Fire road “a path to progress.”

Ring of Fire negotiations became more volatile in 2025 after the Ford government passed Bill 5, which gives the government sweeping new powers to fast-track projects such as mines. First Nations from across Ontario have voiced opposition to the bill, arguing it threatens their constitutional right to be consulted on projects that impact them and their territories. Several First Nations have launched a lawsuit to challenge Bill 5, and the outcome of that case could determine whether the Ford government can use Bill 5’s new powers in the Ring of Fire or not.  

Want to learn more about what’s going on and what’s at stake in this critical and remote region? The Narwhal’s got you covered: