Noront buys 'small, but strategic' Ring of Fire claim

Mining company Noront has made what it's calling a small, but strategic, acquisition in the Ring of Fire.

Noront bought out the majority of MacDonald Mines properties in the James Bay Lowlands mineral deposit.

The company says it now controls 75 per cent of the staked claims in the region.

The government is studying a plan for a road to the proposed mine and First Nations in the area.

In a news release today, Noront says it is anticipating an announcement on a road this year.

If the road is built, the company says it could begin production at its proposed nickel mine in 2021.