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 Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed by the Mining Association of Canada (MAC) and the Assembly of First Nations strengthens the existing links between these two groups. Through this MOU, the mining industry will boost its engagement with First Nations economies creating employment and business opportunities. The MOU was signed by National Chief Phil Fontaine and Jim Gowans, President of Ontario Mining Association member De Beers Canada and Chair of the MAC. This historic initiative got underway when MAC and the Assembly of First Nations signed a letter of intent in November 2007.
“In resource development, First Nations and the mining community are natural partners,” said National Chief Fontaine. “Developing a new partnership between the AFN and MAC will complement and enhance the growing relationships between First Nations and Canada´s major mining companies. The resource sector will come back stronger than ever in the very near future. With a growing land base and growing populations, First Nations are poised to be key players in the years and decades to come,” he added. “We want to work together towards greater certainty and sustainable mining developments that will contribute significantly to the economic, social and environmental well-being of First Nations.”
“Canada´s mining industry is the largest private sector employer of Aboriginal people,” said Mr. Gowans.