Aboriginal communities—partners in northern mining ventures

From NRCan

What do a nickel mine in northern Quebec, a gold mine in British Columbia, and a diamond mine in the Northwest Territories have in common?
They are profitable new mines that have been developed with the support of aboriginal communities.
The success of partnerships like these strengthens Canada’s economy and builds stronger communities in remote areas. And their success is sure to open the doors to more partnerships between local communities and mining companies.
Mineral development offers many opportunities to aboriginal communities, including training, high-quality jobs, and economic and business development.
And involving the local community can help the mining company secure a positive investment climate, and respond to concerns about the effects of mining on the environment, the way of life, and the local wildlife.
Partnership agreements have proven successful in securing benefits for both partners. To encourage partnerships, government and industry have worked together to publish an inventory of leading practices for aboriginal groups and the mining industry to use in negotiating agreements.
An example of a working partnership is the Raglan Mine in northern Quebec, which is one of the largest projects ever attempted by the mining sector in Quebec. It is considered an engineering achievement because of how it has overcome the challenges of working in such a unique and delicate environment.
The mine’s success is due in great part to an agreement between the local Inuit communities and Falconbridge Ltd. which has allowed the Inuit to participate more fully in economic and social development.
And it has ensured concerns about adverse effects on the environment and way of life are front and centre in the development.
Aboriginal businesses can obtain long-term contracts to supply goods and services to mines. Local construction companies can create jobs and profit by building roads, facilities for fuel and equipment storage, air strips, housing, and recreational areas.
For example, at Barrick Gold’s Eskay Creek Mine in British Columbia, local aboriginal companies have contracts for maintenance, service, and construction.
Add the work of the local joint-venture trucking and catering firms and suddenly you see a vibrant, thriving community—a business-driven economy.
Mining companies employ much of their workforce locally. Through the training and work that mining companies offer, local people increase their chances of obtaining good-paying, long-term employment.
The experience and skills they gain can help them get other jobs when the mine closes.
Cameco Corp. preferentially hires northern residents, especially aboriginal people, and supports northern Saskatchewan education programs and an apprenticeship program.
As a result, educational levels have increased, more high school students are graduating, and more young people are remaining in northern Saskatchewan.
BHP’s Ekati mine at Lac de Gras in the Northwest Territories has created full-time jobs for more than 600 people—70 percent of which are northerners.
It is improving the quality of life for people in Yellowknife and throughout the western Arctic.
Quality of life
The knowledge provided by local residents—balanced with innovative technology and science—can help minimize the effects of mining on the environment. At the Diavik Diamond Project in the Northwest Territories, for instance, the company worked closely with aboriginal elders to ensure the safety of caribou.
And at its Island Copper Mine in British Columbia, BHP Limited has returned the land to its natural habitat by reshaping disturbed ground, spreading soil and grass seed, and planting thousands of red alder and lodge pole pine trees.
Geese, deer, bear, and mountain lions now reside in the area.
The federal government encourages industry to work with local communities to ensure they benefit from the development of natural resources. It also helps communities take advantage of minerals and metals activities.
Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) supports projects to help northern communities develop new ventures in forests, fisheries, and mineral resources.
NRCan also has produced six maps that show where active mines and aboriginal communities are located. The maps help identify opportunities for collaboration.
These initiatives build upon the federal government’s commitment to creating and sharing opportunity with aboriginal people, and providing the tools they need to build a better future for themselves and their communities.