KGHM, Metis Nation strike Victoria Mine agreement – by Staff (Sudbury Star – September 4, 2015)

The Sudbury Star is the City of Greater Sudbury’s daily newspaper.

The Metis Nation of Ontario and KGHM International Ltd. announced Thursday a deal covering development of the Victoria Mine project in Sudbury.

The memorandum of understanding will guide their working relationship as the mine is being prepared for a 2017 opening.

“This agreement is very important to the Metis people because it guarantees that Metis rights will be protected and the Metis way of life in the Sudbury area is being respected,” Metis Nation of Ontario chair France Picotte said in a release.

“We are pleased to continue working with KGHM. Agreements like this one are another benefit that we see coming from the MNO-Ontario Framework Agreement, which was first signed in 2008 and renewed this past year.”

In 2012, KGHM announced plans to spend $750-million to redevelop Victoria Mine near Worthington. One of Sudbury’s oldest and most prolific mines, Victoria would employ more than 200 full-time workers by the time it goes back into full production in 2017. It would produce copper and nickel.

Ian Horne, community and permitting manager of KGHMI, said the company has been consulting with the Metis Nation on the planning and development of the Victoria Project since 2010.

“One of their key goals was to undertake a Traditional Knowledge and Land Use (TKLU) study of the project area before any significant development occurred.” Horne said. “This study is currently underway and we look forward to integrating the knowledge gained into our project plan going forward.”

The agreement sets out the way in which the local Metis community, as represented by the MNO’s Mattawa/Lake Nipissing Consultation Committee, will be consulted regarding the development of the mine and details how the parties will work together to address any potential impacts the project may have on Metis rights, interests and way of life.

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