Aboriginal and Inuit Mining and Oil/Gas – Page 166

Ring Of Fire Project Progressing Despite Setbacks Says Mining Minister – by Sunny Freeman (Huffington Post – February 14, 2014)

February 18, 2014

http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/news/staking-claim/

Ontario’s mining minister says Ring of Fire negotiations are “productive and encouraging,” despite a series of setbacks including the exit of the biggest player, the federal government’s lack of commitment and turmoil in the global mining industry. At a press conference on Friday, Michael Gravelle had a clear message: Talks between government, industry and First Nations are moving ahead.

“No matter what else happens, we are determined to see the Ring of Fire go forward,” he said. But there were scant details on the project’s timeline. Development hinges on the success of talks between First Nations and the province over environmental protection, infrastructure, revenue sharing and social assistance.

The province is keen on pushing ahead as it eyes the royalties and jobs that could flow into Ontario’s Far North, where an estimated $60 billion in mineral deposits lie within the 5,000-square-kilometre track of land.

Transportation to market from the remote location has been one of the key sticking points that has prevented development so far. Gravelle announced Friday that consulting firm Deloitte will help guide a development corporation that will be responsible for infrastructure.

Liberal Ring of Fire Plans Under Fire – by James Murray (Netnewsledger.com – February 15, 2014)

February 18, 2014

http://www.netnewsledger.com/

Getting the Ring of Fire Right is Complicated

THUNDER BAY – The Ring of Fire mining opportunities are massive. However the efforts to “Get it right,” as Minister Michael Gravelle has repeatedly stated are causing those efforts to come under fire. The New Democrats are accusing the Wynne Government of only governing by ‘Press Release’.

“The announcement that outside consultants have been brought in to guide the Ring of Fire Development Corporation is a stark reminder of the Liberal government’s inability to spur development in the mining sector”, charges NDP Northern Development and Mines Critic Michael Mantha.

“The Liberal government continues to govern by press release; all talk no action,” continued Michael Mantha, the MPP for Algoma-Manitoulin. “This latest announcement by Mining Minister Michael Gravelle further proves that this government is determined to create jobs anywhere but in the actual mining sector. We now see consultant companies profit while the mining companies are left on the sidelines and First Nations suffer.”

Brazil land disputes spread as Indians take on wildcat miners – by Lunae Parracho and Caroline Stauffer (Reuters India – February 14, 2014)

February 18, 2014

http://in.reuters.com/

JACAREACANGA, Brazil – Feb 17 (Reuters) – As Brazil struggles to solve land disputes between Indians and farmers on the expanding frontier of its agricultural heartland, more tensions over forest and mineral resources are brewing in the remote Amazon.

The government of President Dilma Rousseff gave eviction notices to hundreds of non-Indian families in the Awá-Guajá reserve in Maranhão state in January and plans to relocate them by April, with the help of the army if necessary, Indian affairs agency Funai says.

The court order to clear the Awá territory follows the forced removal of some 7,000 soy farmers and cattle ranchers from the Marãiwatsédé Xavante reservation last year, a process profiled by Reuters that resulted in violent clashes. [link.reuters.com/dew27t ]

Anthropologists say evictions from Awá territory could be even more complicated. It is thought to be a base for criminal logging operations and is also home to some indigenous families who have never had contact with outsiders, a combination that worries human rights groups lobbying for the evictions.

More at stake than a $1-billion mine – by Peter O’Niel (Vancouver Sun – February 16, 2014)

February 18, 2014

http://www.vancouversun.com/index.html

Decision on B.C.’s New Prosperity project will set national tone for Ottawa-aboriginal relations, First Nations warn

OTTAWA — Lobbying has intensified as the Harper government prepares to make a high-stakes decision on a controversial $1-billion B.C. mining project.

A delegation of West Coast First Nations leaders, accompanied by Assembly of First Nations Chief Shawn Atleo, spent the past week on Parliament Hill, trying to get across their message that approving the New Prosperity mine near Williams Lake would deal a huge setback to Ottawa’s relationship with aboriginal Canadians.

Ottawa must make a decision the end of the month. But the native leaders left for home Friday after meeting only B-list political players, people of similar rank to those who met pro-mine members of the Williams Lake community a week earlier.

That’s far different from the high-level arm-twisting during two recent visits here by B.C. Mines Minister Bill Bennett, an enthusiastic New Prosperity supporter. Bennett met with a total of 13 federal MPs, seven of them cabinet ministers, as he tried to convince Ottawa to endorse New Prosperity despite a federal review panel’s Oct. 31 call for the mine be rejected.

Native band downstream from proposed B.C. mine fears long-term pollution – by Mark Hume (Globe and Mail – February 13, 2014)

February 13, 2014

The Globe and Mail is Canada’s national newspaper with the second largest broadsheet circulation in the country. It has enormous influence on Canada’s political and business elite.

VANCOUVER – A native band downstream from what may become the biggest mine in Canada says it is worried about the long-term threat that pollution could pose to the Nass and Bell-Irving Rivers in northwest B.C.

“The mine’s life span is for 50 years and they are estimating that mine will be required to treat [waste water] for well over 200 years. And who’s going to be responsible for that?” Glen Williams, Hereditary Chief of the Gitanyow First Nation said Wednesday.

The Kerr-Sulphurets-Mitchell (KSM) mine, which Seabridge Gold Inc. is proposing to build high in the mountains 65 kilometres northwest of Smithers, would use tailings ponds and a water treatment plant to handle pollution generated by two billion tons of waste rock.

Brent Murphy, vice-president of environmental affairs for the Toronto-based resource explorations company, said, “Protection of the environment has been a key guiding principle in the design of the project, and we’ve worked very hard to ensure that there’s no impact downstream of the facility.”

Ontario defends lawsuit filed by junior explorer – by Bryan Phelan (Wawatay News – February 11, 2014)

February 12, 2014

http://wawataynews.ca/

The Ontario government in January filed its statement of defence for a $125-million lawsuit brought against it by a junior exploration company with mining claims near Sachigo Lake First Nation. Northern Superior Resources (NSR), based in Sudbury, had for several years explored for gold in Sachigo’s traditional territory with the First Nation’s consent. However, the company stopped exploration in 2012 when its relations with Sachigo soured.

Later, on Oct. 24, 2013, NSR filed a lawsuit against Ontario, claiming that the province “failed to consult with First Nations as required by law” regarding the company’s exploration. NSR asked for compensation of $110 million for damages it said resulted, including: lost opportunities to finance, develop and/or sell the properties; loss of opportunity to profit from “potentially world-class mineral deposits”; and reduced value of NSR’s stock.

NSR also claimed it should be reimbursed $15 million by Ontario for monies spent acquiring and developing the properties.

“Having obtained all the necessary authorizations for mineral exploration under the Mining Act, and taken every reasonable measure to engage any First Nation … to be affected from its work,” the company stated, “NSR had a reasonable expectation that it would able to explore and develop the claims free of interference and with a view to profit.”

First Nation takes proactive approach with mining companies – by Jonathan Migneault (Sudbury Northern Life – February 11, 2014)

February 11, 2014

http://www.northernlife.ca/

Wahnapitae First Nation has taken a proactive approach to promote environmental sustainability in its dealings with mining companies like Vale, Glencore and KGHM. Since the early 1990s, the First Nation, located northeast of Sudbury, has worked to develop relationships with mining industry partners.

Cheryl Recollet, Wahnapitae First Nation’s environmental co-ordinator, said her department has developed in-house capacity over the past 15 years to conduct environmental assessments for mining companies who work near their reserve boundaries.

In 2012, Wahnapitae First Nation’s sustainable development department founded Tahgaiwinini Technical and Environmental Services Group. The company has four technicians and two advisers on staff, who provide mining companies with a variety of environmental management services.

The technicians are trained to use geographical information systems to map the flow of groundwater, plumes of air pollution, and provide information on the First Nation’s territory, species at risk, and traditional hunting territory.

Principle and pragmatism – by Matthew Pearson (Ottawa Citizen – February 9, 2014)

February 10, 2014

http://www.ottawacitizen.com/index.html

Premier Wynne has made First Nations a priority during her first year in power, but the true test of her words awaits

TORONTO — On the day Kathleen Wynne was sworn in as premier — a year ago Tuesday — she chose to add something a little different to the dry ceremonial program that had been used for the two dozen men who had come before her.

In addition to the presence of Ontario’s lieutenant-governor, a minister and the tones of O Canada, the premier-to-be requested that First Nations traditions be included in the ceremony. And so it was for the first time on the floor of the Queen’s Park legislature that seven aboriginal women drummed and sang an honour song in Ojibway.

While most of that day’s news reports focused on other firsts — namely, Wynne as the first female premier in Ontario and first openly gay premier in Canada — the inclusion of drummers was in fact more significant to some.

“It sent a signal that we were going to be important as part of her premiership,” said Sylvia Maracle, executive director of the Ontario Federation of Indian Friendship Centres.

Northern College Aboriginal grads working in mining – by Lindsay Kelly (Northern Ontario Business – February 6, 2014)

February 7, 2014

Established in 1980, Northern Ontario Business provides Canadians and international investors with relevant, current and insightful editorial content and business news information about Ontario’s vibrant and resource-rich North.

Northern College is experiencing another successful milestone in its legacy of miner training: nearly all recent graduates of its hard rock miner common core program are working, two-thirds of which have found employment in the Kirkland Lake area.

The success is thanks to a partnership between the college and AuRico Gold, which operates the Young-Davidson Mine 60 kilometres west of Kirkland Lake. Though the college has offered similar programs through partnerships with other mining companies in the past, this program is unique in that it was funded by the Mushkegowuk and Wabun Tribal councils and geared specifically towards Aboriginal students.

“With all the opportunities in mining and all the IBAs (impact benefit agreements), there are new opportunities there for the Aboriginal communities that weren’t there in the past,” said Bob Mack, Northern College’s vice-president of community, business development and employment services.

Ontario-NAN agreement needed for [Ring of Fire] project ‘reboot’ – by Bill Gallagher (Onotassiniik Magazine – February 2014)

February 7, 2014

Onotassiniik Magazine is Wawatay’s Mining Quarterly: http://www.onotassiniik.com/

Lakehead University appears to have filled a gap in bringing together key perspectives in its attempt to ‘reboot’ the Ring of Fire. The university’s Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Mining and Exploration in December hosted a conference about the role of government policy in sustainable mining development.

My presentation at the conference was a strategic, follow-the-evidence approach of Cliffs Natural Resources’ Black Thor project in the Ring of Fire and major projects elsewhere that had likewise tumbled into the project ‘death zone,’ and what these parallels now meant for the Ring of Fire. In my view, that Ring of Fire project is now gone for 10 years and before it comes back, shaping the window of opportunity for its return has to be the priority of all pro-development policy makers, business leaders, politicians and strategists.

Contrary to popular opinion, I drew attention to the fact that the ‘elephant in the room’ was none other than Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN), which represents 49 First Nations in northern Ontario. I said it was delusional for Ring of Fire planners to think that if only Cliffs could get Matawa tribal council on board, we would be off to the races.

Indeed, it will take the support of way more than Matawa’s nine First Nations (which are also members of NAN) to reboot the Ring of Fire, as supply lines, hydro sites and transmission, rail and road, concentrate processing, and environmental cumulative impacts are broader, deal-making factors. Simply, all these factors make developing the Ring of Fire a pan-northern resource extraction process.

Saskatchewan Dene group wants more consultation on Areva’s Kiggavik project – by Sarah Rogers (Nunatsiaq Online.com – February 6, 2014)

February 7, 2014

http://www.nunatsiaqonline.ca/

Project proposes flying uranium to northern Saskatchewan

Athabasca Dene in northern Saskatchewan say they have not been properly consulted on Areva’s Kiggavik uranium project near Baker Lake. Although the Kiggavik site is hundreds of kilometres away from their traditional lands, the Athabasca Dene oppose the proposed transportation of milled uranium — known as yellowcake — by plane from the mine to northern Saskatchewan.

Areva proposes to fly some 5,000 tonnes of yellowcake each year to Points North, Saskatchewan, where it would then be transported by truck or train.

In December 2013, the Athabasca Denesuline Né Né Land Corp., which represents First Nations in Black Lake, Fond du Lac and Hatchet Lake, passed a resolution opposing the transport of uranium over their territory.

In a letter addressed to the Nunavut Impact Review Board that same month, the corporation said Dene are worried about accidents and the potential damage to their local environment.

Quebec v. Labrador: natives and the hydropower sweepstakes – by Bill Gallagher (First Perspective – February 6, 2014)

February 6, 2014

http://www.firstperspective.ca/

In my book, “Resource Rulers: Fortune and Folly on Canada’s Road to Resources”, I posit that Quebec had already won a 10-year head start over Newfoundland & Labrador in the hydropower race to North American energy markets. Quebec’s strategic power-surge was cemented by the ‘Paix des Braves’ in 2002; universally regarded as a pivotal resource management legal arrangement that fully recognized the Crees as ‘Resource Rulers’ within their vast homeland containing the watersheds.

Conversely, Newfoundland, at the same time, was finally rebounding on its troubled Voisey’s Bay mining project; yet it was soon to find itself back in court fighting the Labrador Metis Nation and losing to them at the appellate level. In fact, the province had earlier lost at the appellate level to the Innu Nation on the Voisey’s Bay project; which loss had instigated a project shut down and stock drop (similar to what is playing out today in the Ring of Fire with Cliffs Natural Resources – in what is fast becoming an almost unbelievable case of history repeats!)

To no-one’s surprise, the announcement of the Muskrat Falls hydropower project in 2011 landed in an unsettled and charged Labrador native empowerment landscape. Both the Labrador Metis Nation (now called NunatuKavut) and the Nunatsiavut Government, launched repeated and sustained press releases and legal maneuvers to persuade the province and its crown utility (Nalcor) to address the pending impacts on their traditional lands.

NEWS RELEASE: Start-up of new First Nations mining company announced

February 5, 2014

This article was provided by the Ontario Mining Association (OMA), an organization that was established in 1920 to represent the mining industry of the province.

SNC-Lavalin and Cementation Canada in conjunction with the Morris Group and four First Nations have announced the signing of a memorandum of understanding to create the First Nations Mining Corporation (FNMC). The First Nations participating in FNMC included Flying Post, Lac Seul, Mattagami and Wahgoshig.

The goal of FNMC according to the press release is to form partnerships with Aboriginal communities to promote and develop engineering, construction and environmental services for mining companies in Ontario. It aims to strengthen mining and First Nations links and facilitate the training of Aboriginals and the growth of Aboriginal capabilities in the mine supply and service sector.

“We are very pleased with this new partnership, which is a solid model for sustainable development in First Nations communities,” said Stephen Lindley, Vice President Aboriginal and Northern Affairs for SNC-Lavalin. “Our partners have worked diligently with Aboriginal leadership, companies and organizations across Canada to create business opportunities, which contribute to sustainable social and economic development throughout Ontario’s Aboriginal communities.”

[Northern Ontario] Aviation pioneer – Thunder Bay Chronicle-Journal Editorial (February 4, 2014)

February 5, 2014

Thunder Bay Chronicle-Journal is the daily newspaper of Northwestern Ontario.

NORTHERN Ontario’s aviation pioneers are a special breed. From lone bush pilots to small fleet owners they hop-scotched into a growing number of remote communities as airstrips were hewn out of the boreal forest. Gradually, scheduled air services were established. Names like Wieben, DeLuce and Kelner are among a long list of adventurous fliers who took on the challenge of opening up such a vast region as this.

The list is short a key member this week with the sudden death of Harvey Friesen. Together with his brother, Cliff, they grew Bearskin Airlines from a two-floatplane operation to a large, scheduled airline with 50 years of service — a remarkable achievement in an industry where longevity is rare.

The company was created in 1963 by a bush pilot named John Hegland from a base in Big Trout Lake, flying charter service to Sioux Lookout. (Hegland named the operation after Bearskin Lake where he owned a store.) A second hop to Thunder Bay was a logical step.

New owners turned Bearskin into an air taxi service with Harvey Friesen one of its pilots. In 1972, at age 24, he bought half the company and purchased most of the rest of it five years later. Brother Cliff bought in shortly after and a family business was born and grew with the addition of a base in Thunder Bay to augment the one in Sioux Lookout.

COMMENT: Taku River Tlingit toss monkey wrench into Tulsequah Chief project – by Marilyn Scales (Canadian Mining Journal – February 3, 2014)

May 4, 2015February 4, 2014

Marilyn Scales is a field editor for the Canadian Mining Journal, Canada’s first mining publication. She is one of Canada’s most senior mining commentators.

A lawsuit filed on Dec. 17 by the Taku River Tlingit First Nation could derail plans by Chieftain Metals to develop its Tulsequah Chief base and precious metals project 100 km south of Atlin. The legal challenge seeks to void the environmental permit issued for the mine, naming the BC Minister of Environment, Environmental Assessment Office and Chieftain as co-respondents.

The Tulsequah project includes two former producers, the Tulsequah Chief and Big Bull mines. Readers can imagine that they have been producing acid drainage, and that problem can be solved by measures taken during the development of a new mine. Hence the sooner Chieftain can proceed, the closer a solution will be.

Why the Taku River Tlingit would want to delay the project seems counterproductive to environmental stewardship. But the lawsuit splits hairs over the term “substantially started”.

The original environmental certificate was issued in 2002 to then-owner Redfern Resources and was valid for five years. It carried a clause that the project must be substantially started within five years of its issuance. Redfern received a five-year extension in 2007.