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Aboriginal and Inuit Mining and Oil/Gas

Open Letter: UBCIC Supports Tsilhqot’in Nation and Call for Rejection of “New Prosperity” Mine (October 19, 2011)

The Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs was founded in November, 1969, by a majority of Indian chiefs in BC, partly in response to the federal government’s 1969 White Paper, which was a blueprint for assimilating Canada’s First Peoples, and partly as an inevitable outcome of a growing conviction of many of our people that our survival in the face of such policies depended upon our ability to work together. The goal of the UBCIC is to support the work of our people, whether at the community, nation or international level, in our common fight for the recognition of our aboriginal rights and respect for our cultures and societies.

October 19, 2011

Prime Minister Stephen Harper
Government of Canada

Premier Christy Clark
Province of British Columbia

Dear Prime Minister Harper and Premier Clark:

Re: UBCIC Support for Tsilhqot’in Nation and Call for Rejection of the “New Prosperity” Mine

We are writing with respect to Union of BC Indian Chiefs (UBCIC) Resolution 2011-35, “UBCIC Support for Tsilhqot’in Nation and Call for Rejection of the “New Prosperity” Mine” which was presented, affirmed and passed by consensus at the UBCIC’s 43rd Annual General Assembly on September 15, 2011.

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Can $300M save Fish Lake and B.C. mining? – by Terence Corcoran (National Post – October 20, 2011)

The National Post is Canada’s second largest national paper.  Terence Corcoran is the editor and columnist for the Financial Post section of the National Post.

First Nations appear to threaten B.C. mining over Taseko’s Prosperity mine

The benefits of mining to Canada are well known. A news story in the Financial Post Tuesday suggests the industry’s contribution to the national economy may be too well known, even taken for granted, to the point where nobody much cares if $11-billion worth of GDP growth is blown away in a protracted battle with First Nations groups and environmentalists over Taseko Mines’ gold and copper project in British Columbia.

At the centre of the project, near Williams Lake, some 400 kilometres north of Vancouver, sits Fish Lake, a small 118-hectare body of water. Call it the $300-million lake. That’s the amount of money Taseko Mines has anted up to preserve Fish Lake in response to a Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency (CEAA) claim that the destruction of the lake was grounds for killing the Prosperity mine. At $300-million, or $3-million per hectare, Fish Lake is likely more valuable than Lake Tahoe.

In a 250-page panel review last July, the CEAA could find few problems with Taseko’s open-pit mine project, a $1-billion investment that would create thousands of jobs over a 24-year operating period.

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Taseko floats second plan for B.C. site – by Peter Koven (National Post – October 19, 2011)

The National Post is Canada’s second largest national paper.  pkoven@nationalpost.com 

TORONTO  – The economic benefits appear to be massive. Now the main question is whether the federal government will approve it this time.

Nearly a year after Ottawa rejected Taseko Mines Ltd.’s Prosperity project in central British Columbia, the company is highlighting a third-party economic study that shows the proposed mine would increase real gross domestic product in Canada by $11-billion over the next two decades, while creating an estimated 71,000 jobs.

The study, prepared by the Centre for Spatial Economics, also suggests government revenue would rise by $9.8-billion over the life of the mine, and the B.C. population would grow by an estimated 5,400.

“It just shows you the kind of economic impact one mine can have. It’s unreal,” Taseko chief executive Russell Hallbauer said. Prosperity, 125 kilometres southwest of Williams Lake, is already one of the most controversial mining projects in Canadian history, well before any shovel has been put into the ground.

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NEWS RELEASE: Taseko’s New Prosperity Mine Would Increase Real GDP by $11 Billion, Add 71,000 Jobs over 20 years, New Study Reveals

October 18, 2011, Vancouver, BC- A new comprehensive economic study of Taseko Mines’ (TSX: TKO; NYSE Amex: TGB) (“Taseko”) proposed $1.5 billion New Prosperity Gold Copper Project located in British Columbia reveals that the project would provide a significant economic stimulus to the economy, and create thousands of new jobs for Canada over its 20 year mine life.

Using a macroeconomic model of the British Columbian economy, The Centre for Spatial Economics (C4SE), who has previously developed Canadian Department of Finance fiscal forecasts, reviewed the New Prosperity Project, starting with the 2013 construction phase and ending with the anticipated 2036 closure of the mine. The conclusions of the report suggest long term contributions to national, provincial and regional economies, including a significant increase in federal and provincial revenues and sustained job growth.

On June 6th, 2011, Taseko Mines responded to an invitation by the Federal government of Canada to submit a revised proposal for the development of its Prosperity Gold and Copper deposit in BC. New Prosperity, the company’s revised plan, includes an additional $300 million in capital investment to limit the mines environmental impact, notably the preservation of Fish Lake.

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Canada Starts Here: The BC Jobs Plan Speech – by British Columbia Premier Christy Clark (Sept/22/11)

This Speech was given to the Vancouver Board of Trade on September 22, 2011

Check against delivery

Thanks, Dave, for the introduction.

I’d like to acknowledge my caucus members in attendance, as they stand up – please give them a warm round of applause. Iain Black is here today as well.

And most importantly I want to acknowledge all the job creators in the room and that’s you.

You know, my grandfather was a member of the trade delegation that went to Japan with this Board of Trade in 1954. I found this wallet of his from the trip when I was cleaning out some boxes in my garage a couple months ago. He worked for a B.C. small business, Nelson Brothers Fisheries. He was the production manager and he went on this trade mission that flew through Anchorage, Alaska and then on to Japan.

The whole point was to reach out to open new markets and create new jobs in British Columbia. I am really proud he did that, and that the Board of Trade had the foresight to lead that mission in the 1950s. Fifty-seven years later, I am standing here before the same organization to talk about the same thing – new markets, new opportunities and good jobs for families.

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McGuinty mulls cabinet choices [MNDMF Minister??) – Thunder Bay Chronicle-Journal Editorial (October 20, 2011)

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

PREMIER Dalton McGuinty will announce the makeup of his new cabinet today. The election took its toll on both former ministers and Liberal strength and this will likely be reflected in a leaner front bench.
Some ministers would appear to remain locks on their portfolios and Michael Gravelle at Northern Development is surely among them. If not, then who?

Seeking a third term with sinking pre-election popularity back in the summer, a number of ministers declined to run again. Most notable among those was Sandra Pupatello, the former economic development and trade minister, who said she needed new challenges after 16 years at Queen’s Park. One of McGuinty’s most impressive ministers, it would not be surprising to see her seek the party leadership when the premier steps down as expected before the next election.

McGuinty also lost other high-profile politicians prior to the vote, including ministers Monique Smith, Gerry Phillips, David Ramsay and Steve Peters, who was speaker.

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[Timmins mining] Summit explores Aboriginal potential- by Ryan Lux (Timmins Daily Press – October 20, 2011)

The Daily Press, the city of Timmins newspaper. Contact the writer at news@thedailypress.ca.

With Northern Ontario’s mining sector poised to takeoff, the region’s First Nations are preparing to get on board.

Staff at the Nishnawbe Aski Development Fund (NADF) are organizing the first summit to introduce mining corporations to First Nation communities whose traditional territories sit on valuable ore.

“There’s been a lot of chatter surrounding mining over the past couple years and I think there’s a sense among First Nations communities of a need to empower themselves to benefit from resource development,” said NADF’s marketing and communications director Ade Sekudo.

“Our communities are looking to leverage their rich resource base to fund sustainable economic growth.” While miners have been clawing ore out of the Canadian Shield in the North for more than a century, Sekudo explained there is now a greater urgency felt by First Nations to reap some of the industry’s benefits.

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OMA President is keynote speaker at mining/Aboriginal summit in Timmins

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

Ontario Mining Association President Chris Hodgson will be the keynote speaker at the Mining Ready Summit: Preparing Aboriginal Communities for Mining-Related Business Opportunities in Timmins. This event is being hosted by Nishnawbe Aski Development Fund on October 25 and 26, 2011 at the Days Inn Conference Centre. 

The summit is expected to attract more than 150 key mineral sector people, contractors, mine supply and service company representatives, Aboriginal business owners and First Nations community leaders. The goal of the gathering is to help prepare Aboriginal communities for mining related business opportunities. It is hoped participants will bring new knowledge, lessons learned and best practices to the summit and communicate effectively with participants.

Mr. Hodgson is the keynote speaker at the dinner on October 25. He will share the OMA’s vision for the future of mining in Ontario. Global economic forces such as urbanization and the continued developmental paths of nations such as China and India are providing this province with a window of opportunity to meet a lengthy anticipated period of high demand for commodities Ontario can produce. 

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Firm [Cliffs Natural Resources] defends environmental review process – by Bryan Meadows (Thunder Bay Chronicle-Journal – October 15, 2011)

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

While First Nation leaders and environmentalists continue to have concerns about the approved environmental assessment process for Cliffs Natural Resources Inc.’s Chromite Project, the company maintains that the EA will mean a thorough review of all components of the project.

Some Matawa First Nations chiefs are upset about the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency’s (CEAA) decision to side with industry by choosing a Comprehensive Study Environmental Assessment (EA) process, instead of a Joint Review Panel EA.

“I don’t understand how the CEAA can make this kind of choice,” Chief Sonny Gagnon of the Aroland First Nation, said in a news release.

“The area being affected is among one of the largest groups of intact wetlands in the world. These Ring of Fire developments are going to impact everyone in the region, one way or another, but especially the First Nations near these developments.

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NEWS RELEASE: Nishnawbe Aski Development Fund Helps Aboriginal Communities to Become “Mining Ready”

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Nishnawbe Aski Development Fund is a non-profit Aboriginal corporation providing loans, tools and business support services to Aboriginal entrepreneurs looking to start, expand or acquire a business in remote, rural and urban communities across Northern Ontario.

Mining Ready Summit: Preparing Aboriginal Communities for Mining-Related Business Opportunities www.miningready.com

Thunder Bay, ON, October 14, 2011– Nishnawbe Aski Development Fund (NADF) is proud to announce the first annual 2011 Mining Ready Summit in Timmins Ontario, on October 25 & October 26, 2011. The Summit will bring together Aboriginal businesses, community leaders, industry, government, contractors and mining related service providers, to help Aboriginal communities prepare for mining related business opportunities.

“As the situation stands today, there is clearly a missing link between Aboriginal businesses and industry. NADF wants to encourage new relationships to bridge these gaps. This can only be achieved by coming together to learn about each others respective goals and needs. The Mining Ready summit will ensure that both sides bring new knowledge, evidence, lessons learned and best practice into mining development talks,” says NADF Special Initiatives Advisor, Brian Davey.

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Public hearings lacking for Ring of Fire – CBC News Website (October 12, 2011)

http://www.cbc.ca/news/

Mining Watch Canada says ‘largely paper process’ shuts out public input

A spokesperson with Mining Watch Canada says the environmental assessment underway for the biggest project in the Ring of Fire will shut many people out. He’s alarmed that public hearings are not being held for Cliffs Natural Resources proposed chromite mine north of Thunder Bay.

“[It’s] largely a paper process of submitting written comments, reviewing documents and providing written feedback back and forth,” said Ramsey Hart, Mining Watch’s program co-ordinator.

He said he can’t understand why the government wouldn’t call public hearings into such a massive project — as it has for a new mine near Marathon.

Cliffs’ project includes the construction and operation of a chromite mine, an all-season road south from the mine to the rail line near Nakina and a smelter, which could be located near Sudbury.

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Republic of Mining.com – Stan Sudol CBC Radio Thunder Bay Ring of Fire Interview (October 11, 2011)

Tuesday, October 11, 2011 CBC Radio – Thunder Bay   Superior Morning radio host Lisa Laco: “Stan Sudol has his own ideas about how to develop the Ring of Fire. Sudol authors the blog Republic of Mining:” http://www.cbc.ca/superiormorning/episodes/2011/10/11/the-ring-of-fire/ This interview was the result of my “Mining Marshall Plan for Northern Ontario”. Click here to read: Mining Marshall …

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NEWS RELEASE: NAN WILL CONTINUE TO STRIVE FOR A POSITIVE WORKING RELATIONSHIP WITH PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT

For the web’s largest database of articles on the Ring of Fire mining camp, please go to: Ontario’s Ring of Fire Mineral Discovery

Friday October 7, 2011

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

THUNDER BAY, ON: Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) Grand Chief Stan Beardy congratulates Premier Dalton McGuinty and will continue to strive for a positive working relationship with the returning official government of Ontario and bring forward the issues affecting the people of Nishnawbe Aski.

“NAN is mandated to work with all political parties and all levels and therefore we will continue to push for meaningful dialogue with the elected officials of Ontario,” said NAN Grand Chief Stan Beardy.

Dalton McGuinty’s Liberals managed to secure a third straight mandate, but fell just shy of a third straight majority. The Liberals had won 53 ridings, one short of the 54 needed for a majority. The Liberals had captured 37.6 per cent of the popular vote, with the Progressive Conservatives close behind at 35.4 per cent. NDP support was at 22.7 per cent.

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Rails to the Ring of Fire – Stan Sudol (Toronto Star – May 30, 2011)

The Toronto Star, has the largest circulation in Canada. The paper has an enormous impact on federal and Ontario politics as well as shaping public opinion.

For the web’s largest database of articles on the Ring of Fire mining camp, please go to: Ontario’s Ring of Fire Mineral Discovery

“The Ring of Fire railroad should be subsidized by
governments as the huge economic impact will benefit
the economy for decades to come, help balance budgets
and alleviate aboriginal poverty in the surrounding
First Nations communities.” (Stan Sudol)

Notwithstanding the recent correction in commodity prices, near-record highs for gold, silver and a host of base metals essential for industry confirm that the commodity “supercycle” is back and with a vengeance.

China, India, Brazil and many other developing economies are continuing their rapid pace of growth. In 2010, China overtook Japan to become the world’s second largest economy and surpassed the United States to become the biggest producer of cars.

In March, Bank of Canada governor Mark Carney remarked: “Commodity markets are in the midst of a supercycle. . . . Rapid urbanization underpins this growth. . . . Even though history teaches that all booms are finite, this one could go on for some time.”

Quebec’s visionary 25-year “Plan Nord” will see billions invested in northern resource development and infrastructure to take advantage of the tsunami in global metal demand and generate much needed revenue for government programs.

In Ontario, the isolated Ring of Fire mining camp in the James Bay lowlands is one of the most exciting and possibly the richest new Canadian mineral discovery in more than a generation. It has been compared with both the Sudbury Basin and the Abitibi Greenstone belt that includes Timmins, Kirkland Lake, Noranda and Val d’Or.

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Quebec lawyers jump on Plan Nord – Drew Hasselback (National Post – October 5, 2011)

The National Post is Canada’s second largest national paper.

“Plan Nord is not portrayed as a massive government handout.
Montreal lawyers insist they believe the North will be
developed purely through market forces. They see the plan as
the government living up to its traditional role, which is to
install infrastructure such as roads, ports, power lines and
airports.”

“Plan Nord is about making sure Quebec has the roads,
electricity supplies, airports and shipping ports in
place to serve future generations.” (Drew Hasselback)

Step inside the office of any law firm in Montreal, and you won’t have to walk too far before you bump into someone who’s been assigned to that firm’s Plan Nord team. That’s because Plan Nord is the biggest source of business for transaction-oriented law firms in Montreal these days.

The plan is well understood within Montreal business circles, and it’s also caught the attention of resource investors from around the world. For lawyers, it pushes a lot of buttons. Plan Nord anticipates $80-billion worth of development in Quebec’s North over the next 25 years.

This involves the development of mining projects, transportation links, power-generation facilities, supporting businesses and other infrastructure investments. Putting the plan into action means business across a broad spectrum of legal specialities.

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