Noront Statement on New Partnership Between Government of Ontario, Marten Falls and Webequie First Nations to Move Ahead With Road Access to the Ring of Fire

TORONTO, March 02, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Noront Resources Ltd. (“Noront” or the “Company”) (TSX Venture: NOT) is pleased to acknowledge the agreement announced today between the provincial government, Marten Falls First Nation and Webequie First Nation to advance planning and development of a proposed Northern Road Link that will provide reliable, all-season road access to mine sites in the Ring of Fire and connect First Nation communities to Ontario’s provincial highway network.
The partnership was announced by Premier Doug Ford, Minister of Energy, Northern Development and Mines and Minister of Indigenous Affairs Greg Rickford, Marten Falls Chief Bruce Achneepineskum and Webequie Chief Cornelius Wabasse during a signing ceremony at the Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada (PDAC) convention.“We are encouraged that a partnership agreement has been signed by Marten Falls and Webequie First Nations and the Province of Ontario,” said Noront President and CEO Alan Coutts.  “Completion of an all-season road offers benefits to both industry and local communities. It will provide access to the Ring of Fire and enable mineral development.  It will also bring much-needed all-season access to these communities and improvements to health and social services, high-speed Internet and cellular service for local communities.”Typically, it is the mining company that builds roads to support mine operations, however in the Ring of Fire the local First Nations are the proponents of road development. This is a concept that Noront supports.  A road is needed and will be built on their traditional lands, so it makes sense for the impacted First Nation communities to decide where it goes and how it is built. Noront will modify its Eagle’s Nest mine project description accordingly.A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/a9519a47-4e6c-4582-8c43-fc7b6a4e8831About Noront
Noront Resources Ltd. is focused on the development of its high-grade Eagle’s Nest nickel, copper, platinum and palladium deposit and the world class chromite deposits including Blackbird, Black Thor, and Big Daddy, all of which are located in the James Bay Lowlands of Ontario in an emerging metals camp known as the Ring of Fire.Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.For more information please contact:
Janice Mandel
janice.mandel@stringcom.com
647-300-3853