Webequie First Nation leaders have held “positive” discussions with a mineral exploration company working in the James Bay Lowlands of Northern Ontario.
Representatives of Noront Resources Ltd. met with Webequie leaders to discuss the terms of an agreement regarding the company‘s exploration activities in the Ring of Fire/McFaulds Lake area.
Webequie Chief Cornelius Wabasse said in a news release that Noront‘s discovery last year of a large nickel-copper deposit on the First Nation‘s traditional lands, an area between Webequie First Nation and the DeBeers Victor diamond project, may have a significant effect on the community.
Webequie residents have expressed concern over potential environmental and social impacts on the land and community, but, Wabasse said, they recognize the economic potential represented by a partnership with the mining company as it plans for exploration.
“We hope to establish a positive and mutually beneficial relationship with Noront Resources,” he said.
“We believe they have a sincere desire to respect our traditional lands and our culture, and will work towards mutual understanding and trust with our people.”
Wabasse said discussions will continue over the next few weeks, aimed at drafting a mutually agreeable exploration agreement later this year.
Webequie First Nation is 540 kilometres north of Thunder Bay.
Noront Resources is focused on high-grade nickel-copper-platinum-palladium, chromite and vanadium discoveries in the Ring of Fire, an emerging multi-metals district in the James Bay Lowlands