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Ontario Mining

Mattagami chief says First Nations will get left behind if they don’t support mining – by Len Gillis (Timmins Times – October 27, 2011)

http://www.timminstimes.com/

“Sometimes we have to think like a white man” said Walter Naveau at mining summit

More than two hundred First Nations delegates joined mining executives, community leaders and provincial representatives in Timmins this week to discuss the future of mining development in Northern Ontario and how more and more First Nations need to be involved in that development.

Despite all the concern about ensuring that First Nations get a fair share of economic development, the meeting in Timmins was told that more Aboriginal communities and businesses need to step up and take advantage of the boom in Northern Ontario.

And although some speakers expressed concern about the increasing level of development, others said if the First Nations don’t take advantage of the economic opportunities, they will be left behind.

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Resource agreements balance [Aboriginal] heritage with economic development – by Ryan Lux (Timmins Daily Press – October 27, 2011)

The Daily Press is the city of Timmins broadsheet newspaper.

Mining activity is providing a ray of sunshine in a region where little economic activity has occurred in the past 30 years, said a manager with De Beers Canada.

Shannin Metatwabin was one of the speakers at this week’s Mining Ready Summit in Timmins which brought First Nations together with representatives from Ontario’s mining sector. Metatwabin manages Aboriginal affairs and sustainability for De Beers’ Victor Lake Mine, 90 kilometres west of Attawapiskat.

Originally from Fort Albany, Metatwabin said he feels as though he has a stake in the development and wants the region’s people to see benefits.

Explorations near Attawapiskat began in 1985 and the Victor Lake Mine didn’t go into production until 2008. Metatwabin said during the intervening years De Beers worked hard at educating communities on mining and developing residents’ employment capacity.

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[Aboriginal] Voice must be heard [about resources] – by Ryan Lux (Timmins Daily Press – October 27, 2011)

The Daily Press is the city of Timmins broadsheet newspaper.

First Nations willing to work with resource firms

Resource companies and the province seeking to develop land in Treaty 9 territory must do more than consult First Nations. Mushkegowuk Grand Council Chief Stan Louttit maintains firms must obtain consent before work can proceed.

Louttit made his case at the Mining Ready Summit Wednesday morning based on recently discovered diaries of one of the original treaty commissioners.

Found in the Queen’s University library in 1995, the diaries have been subject to legal analysis for the past three years and the Mushkegowuk council argue they reveal something their Elders have said all along. Their ancestors never surrendered authority over their lands.

Louttit told the First Nations and mining sector representatives gathered at the summit the story of how the treaty was originally signed in 1905.

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First Nations must be able to have a say [Ring of Fire] – by Brian MacLeod (Sudbury Star – October 27, 2011)

The Sudbury Star is the City of Greater Sudbury’s daily newspaper. Brian MacLeod is the paper’s managing editor. brian.macleod@sunmedia.ca

A s Ontario cabinet ministers were sworn in Oct. 21, Matawa First Nations were demanding that the environmental assessment (EA) process on the Ring of Fire development must be changed — and they want an answer by Tuesday.

The Ring of Fire is a 5,120-square-kilometre chromite, nickel, copper platinum and palladium deposit in the James Bay lowlands. It’s possibly the richest undeveloped deposit in the world, maybe even akin to the riches in Sudbury.

Aside from the mining royalties collected by governments, the enormous infrastructure required– including a $2-billion, 350-km railway — will provide a hefty economic boost for Ontario.

Cleveland-based Cliffs Natural Resources wants to start processing chromite, which is used to make stainless steel, at its Black Thor deposit in 2015, and Toronto’s Noront Resources, which has spent $100 million on exploration in the area, wants to start nickel mining along the same timeline.

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NEWS RELEASE: MassMin 2012 – Advancing the State-of-the-Art in Mass Mining

The 6th International Conference & Exhibition on Mass Mining
Held for the first time in [Sudbury] Canada June 11 to 14, 2012

MONTREAL, Oct. 26, 2011 /CNW Telbec/ – The 6th International Conference & Exhibition on Mass Mining, Advancing the State-of-the-Art in Mass Mining: MassMin 2012, will be held for the first time in Canada, from June 11 to 14, 2012. This premier technical mining conference will take place in Sudbury, Ontario.

After the US, South Africa, Australia, Chile and Sweden; it’s time for Canada to host this important conference for the first time. “Sudbury is one of the three key mining supply areas in the world and we are very proud to host this conference,” says Dr. Greg Baiden, International Committee Conference Chair, CEO – Penguin Automated Systems and Professor – School of Engineering Laurentian University.

MassMin 2012 local and international committees are composed of highly influential individuals directly involved in the transition from open-pit to underground mining. Sessions will be presented by companies such as Vale, Codelco, Rio Tinto, Subsea Massive Sulphides, Lunar Mining and Robotic Mine of the future.

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Native communities playing catch-up [in mining sector] – by Ryan Lux (Timmins Daily Press – October 26, 2011)

The Daily Press, the city of Timmins newspaper.

Chiefs say they could have benefited from information offered at summit

When Detour Mine initiated talks to re-start operations in Mattagami First Nation territory, Chief Walter Naveau says the band lacked the expertise to properly engage in those early negotiations. Naveau said the community leader would have benefited from the type of information being offered at this week’s Mining Ready Summit.

First Nation leaders from across the Northeast along with mining company representatives have gathered in Timmins for two days to share expertise and collaborate on the future of resource development in traditional territories.

Looking back, Naveau said, “Initially, we were in a place where we weren’t too sure what was happening in terms of duty to consult. Then we started looking to our treaty rights and spoke with lawyers and consultants.”

He said it has been hard to keep up with the pace of development when his community started off with a deficit of mining knowledge.

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Act now or miss out on [mining] opportunities, Hodgson warns [First Nations] – by Ryan Lux (Timmins Daily Press – October 26, 2011)

The Daily Press, the city of Timmins newspaper.

Two-day mining summit kicks off in Timmins

First Nations in Ontario’s Far North need to lobby government to cut down the time it takes for a mine to be approved by half or risk missing out on what could be the last chance to profit from the ore under their traditional territories. That was the message Ontario Mining Association president Chris Hodgson delivered to an audience at the Mining Ready Summit in Timmins Tuesday night.

“There’s this sense that the minerals are in the ground and will be valuable whenever we get around to developing them, but the fact is they might not be worth anything by then,” Hodgson said.

He pointed to research which shows commodity prices have been declining since the late 19th century, except for in times of great demographic change, like mass industrialization of the U.S., and the reconstruction efforts following both world wars.

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Matawa [Ring of Fire] demand ‘unfortunate’ – by Carl Clutchey (Thunder Bay Chronicle-Journal – October 24, 2011)

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

Cliffs Natural Resources says it’s committed to “working hand-in-hand” with nine remote First Nations that could benefit from the company’s proposed chromite mine in the Ring of Fire.

But the company said it’s disappointed over last week’s all-or-nothing demand by Matawa First Nations for a higher level environmental review into the mine proposal. “It’s unfortunate that the focus is over the panel (review) versus comprehensive approaches,” Cliffs said in a statement.

“The comprehensive review process provides a clear and thorough path, as well as the flexibility to address the specific concerns of impacted communities,” the statement said.

Matawa is demanding a government-appointed joint review panel — similar to the one underway for a copper and palladium mine near Marathon — because “it allows for more public participation (including) oral hearings to be held in each community.”

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Let’s hear from the 2011 OMA So You Think You Know Mining winners

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.

As the Ontario Mining Association prepares to officially launch the fourth edition of its high school video competition So You Think You Know Mining, we thought it might be a good idea to hear from some of the 2011 winners.  The SYTYKM winners are an accomplished group of students who have benefitted from participation in this OMA film making initiative.

The winner in the Best Overall category in 2011, which carried a $5,000 prize, was Amanda Ceniti from Georgetown District High School for “Mining: A Musical.”   In an e-mail sent to us at the OMA, she said “I am truly honoured to be a SYTYKM winner.  It is a really great idea for a competition and being a part of it was a lot of fun.”

“I am using my award money for university tuition.  I am specializing in neuroscience at the University of Toronto and taking a minor in music history and culture,” she said.  “I am very excited to start this new chapter in my life.”

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Chiefs aim to stop [Ring of Fire] review – by Harold Carmichael (Sudbury Star – October 21, 2011)

The Sudbury Star is the City of Greater Sudbury’s daily newspaper. hcarmichael@thesudburystar.com

First Nations leaders will take ‘ alternative measures’ — perhaps including an injunction — to stop an environmental review of Cliffs Natural Resources’ Black Thor chromite deposit in northwestern Ontario.

The Matawa Chiefs also called on Premier Dalton McGuinty and Prime Minister Stephen Harper on Friday to stop the review in favour of a joint environment assessment to be done in conjunction with natives.

“We will be forced to resort to alternative measures if Canada and Ontario continue to ignore the First Nations that are being impacted by the Ring of Fire developments,” Chief Roger Wesley of Constance Lake First Nation said in a release Friday. The Matawa Chiefs — who represent 8,000 people in nine Ojibway and Cree communities — held a news conference Friday in Thunder Bay to discuss their concerns.

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[Ontario] Cabinet roles change in North – Thunder Bay Chronicle-Journal Editorial (October 21, 2011)

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

THE NEW Ontario cabinet isn’t new at all; there isn’t a fresh face in it. But two changes are sparking much speculation here in the North.

Michael Gravelle is no longer Minister of Northern Development, Mines and Forestry. He was moved to Natural Resources to which Forestry has been added. This leaves his successor, Sudbury’s Rick Bartolucci, one less thing to look after in Gravelle’s place. It also suggests Premier Dalton McGuinty believes that mining needs undivided attention as exploration increases across the Far North. Bartolucci is also cabinet chair, adding to his stature.

The forest industry is in trouble and, hopefully, adding Forestry back to Natural Resources means the McGuinty government will develop a comprehensive approach to the boreal forest that enhances new commercial opportunities along with recreation and wildlife.

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Bartolucci, Gravelle, give North presence at Queens Park – by Brian MacLeod (Sudbury Star – October 22, 2011)

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

Premier Dalton McGuinty has said its development will play a
key role in the province’s recovery from the loss of hundreds
of thousands of manufacturing jobs during the recession. And
mining commentator Stan Sudol says the Ring of Fire has the
potential to end poverty among isolated First Nations bands
within a generation, if it’s managed properly. (Sudbury Star
Managing Editor Brian MacLeod – Oct/22/2011)

Thursday’s cabinet appointments by the Liberal government worked out as well as could be expected for Northern Ontario.

Sudbury MPP Rick Bartolucci returns to Northern Development and Mines, where he was minister from 2003-07. And Thunder Bay’s Michael Gravelle moves from MNDM to Natural Resources, which also takes over forestry. He replaces Brampton-Springdale MPP Linda Jeffrey.

Stan Beardy, Grand Chief of the Nishnawbe Aski Nation, and Thunder Bay’s chamber of commerce welcomed Gravelle’s appointment, saying he is familiar with the issues affecting the distressed forestry sector.

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Ontario Mining Association welcomes “new” mines minister

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

The Ontario Mining Association would like to offer its congratulations – and re-congratulations – to the province’s new Minister of Northern Development and Mines Rick Bartolucci.  Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty had his new Cabinet sworn in yesterday.  This is the first Cabinet appointments following the October 6 election.

The new Cabinet is trimmed down to 22 and all members are familiar faces.  Mr. Bartolucci, who represents the riding of Sudbury, was elected for a fifth term of office.  He previously served as Minister of Northern Development and Mines from 2003 to 2007 before handling other portfolios — Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing and Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services.  This time around he has the additional duty of being Chair of Cabinet.

Mr. Bartolucci understands mining and Northern Ontario and the OMA looks forward to working with him again to promote and encourage the responsible development of the province’s mineral resources to benefit all Ontarians.

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[Ring of Fire conflict] We won’t be ignored, chiefs warn – by Sudbury Star Staff (Sudbury Star – October 21, 2011)

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

First Nation communities in the Ring of Fire area are threatening ‘alternative action’ to block a federal environmental assessment of Cliffs Natural Resources’ Black Thor chromite deposit.

In a release Thursday, the Matawa chiefs said they want a joint environmental assessment. The chiefs, who represent nine First Nations communities in northwestern Ontario, want Premier Dalton McGuinty and Prime Minister Stephen Harper to intervene in the environmental assessment process.

The chiefs have called a news conference Friday to detail their concerns. In their release, the chiefs did not say what alternative action might entail.

“We will be forced to resort to alternative measures if Canada and Ontario continue to ignore the First Nations that are being impacted by Ring of Fire developments,” Chief Roger Wesley of Constance Lake First Nation said in a release.

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NEWS RELEASE: NO JOINT REVIEW PANEL ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT, NO RING OF FIRE DEVELOPMENT SAY MATAWA CHIEFS

MEDIA ADVISORY URGENT: Matawa Chiefs to hold Media Conference Friday October 21, 2011

THUNDER BAY, ONTARIO – OCTOBER 21, 2011: Matawa Chiefs withdrew their support for development in the Ring of Fire (ROF) today. The Chiefs and the 8,000 people they represent are calling on Premier McGuinty and Prime Minister Harper to intervene in the Environmental Assessment (EA) process.

“We will be forced to resort to alternative measures if Canada and Ontario continue to ignore the First Nations that are being impacted by Ring of Fire developments,” said Chief Roger Wesley of Constance Lake First Nation.

Matawa Chiefs are outraged that the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency (CEAA) is proceeding with a Comprehensive Study EA. The Chiefs and their people have been calling for a Joint Review Panel EA for five months but the government is still not listening. Both the provincial and the federal governments are failing in their constitutional duty to consult and accommodate First Nations. According to the Chiefs, the government is telling them what they plan to do, but it is not consulting or accommodating them about how they want to be involved.

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