OMA member builds First Nation knowledge into environmental process

September 16, 2011

OMA member Osisko Mining is reaching out to incorporate Traditional Knowledge into the Environmental Assessment of its Hammond Reef gold property in Northwestern Ontario -- The company recently held an Elders Forum on site and more than 65 Elders from nine neighbouring First Nations, company staff and government officials participated.

Chiefs and councils of these First Nations made hearing from the Elders about this project a main concern. Elders, while not always the most senior residents of First Nations communities, are generally respected for their wisdom, patience and understanding. They value traditional teachings and passing them along to younger generations.

“The Elders Forum provided us with a unique opportunity to approach the Environmental Assessment process from a Traditional Knowledge perspective,” said Peter Hinz, Mineral Development Consultant with the Ministry of Northern Development Mines and Forestry. “This was an excellent opportunity to facilitate an open exchange of information and perspectives between First Nations, industry and government.”

A common refrain from the Elders at the Forum was “we must be very careful, we need to always think of the future generations.” During the day, a meal of pickerel, wild rice and bannock was shared by participants. A recurring theme from all participants was that the Forum was a respectful exchange of information.

The First Nations participating in the Elders Forum included Seine River First Nation, Couchiching First Nation, Naicatchewenin First Nation, Mitaanjigamiing First Nation, Lac des Mille Lacs First Nation, Rainy River First Nation, Nigigoonsiminikaaning First Nation, Lac La Croix First Nation and Wabigoon First Nation.

“Through our early consultations with Aboriginal groups, Osisko has learned the importance of Elders’ opinions in the community and we know that Elders can teach us a lot,” said Mark Bowler, Senior Advisor Sustainable Development for Osisko. “We look forward to incorporating their knowledge into the design of the Hammond Reef Gold project.”

Osisko Mining is developing the Canadian Malartic gold deposit in Quebec, which is located about 25 kilometres west of Val d’Or. The first gold pour from this property was in April 2011. In Ontario, Osisko holds the Hammond Reef advanced gold project in Northwestern Ontario located about 30 kilometres north of Atikokan. The Hammond Reef property has an inferred resource of more than 6.7 million ounces of gold. Osisko’s head office is in Montreal and it also has offices in Toronto and Atikokan.

Hammond Reef has the potential to be an open-pit gold mine. A preliminary assessment indicates a 14 year mine life with the processing of 50,000 tonnes of ore per day to produce about 460,000 ounces of gold annually. Current plans envision a completion of the Environmental Assessment by the end of 2012, followed by permitting and construction with a production start-up target of early 2016.

Mining is the largest private sector employer of Aboriginals in Canada. Aboriginals represent 7.5% of the mining workforce. Between 1996 and 2006, there was a 43% increase in the number of Aboriginals employed in the mineral sector rising from 2,600 to more than 4,500. In the five years since 2006, this number has increased significantly as more mining exploration and development takes place in areas close to Aboriginal communities. Also, according to Natural Resources Canada’s “Mining Sector Performance Report,” females accounted for 14% of Aboriginal employees, up from 11.5% in 2001.

While the Elders Forum held by Osisko with nine First Nations is a step in the right direction to successfully complete the Environmental Assessment process in an innovative fashion, it is perhaps a bigger step in relationship building between mining companies and Aboriginals.

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