The Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO) and KGHM International Ltd. have formally signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to guide their working relationship with regards to the development of the Victoria Project in Sudbury.
“This agreement is very important to the Métis people, because it guarantees that Métis rights will be protected and the Métis way of life in the Sudbury area is being respected," MNO chair France Picotte said in a news release. “We are pleased to continue working with KGHM. Agreements like this one are another benefit that we see coming from the MNO-Ontario Framework Agreement, which was first signed in 2008 and renewed this past year.”
Ian Horne, community and permitting manager of KGHMI, added, “We have been consulting with the Métis Nation on the planning and development of the Victoria Project since 2010. One of their key goals was to undertake a Traditional Knowledge and Land Use (TKLU) study of the project area before any significant development occurred. This study is currently underway and we look forward to integrating the knowledge gained into our project plan going forward.”
The MOU sets out the way in which the local Métis community, as represented by the MNO's Mattawa/ Lake Nipissing Consultation Committee, will be consulted regarding the development of the project and details how the parties will work together to address any potential impacts the project may have on Métis rights, interests and way of life. KGHMI said it shows the company’s commitment to continue to collaborate and consult with the surrounding community to build long-lasting positive relationships.
“Our community is very proud of the relationship that we have built with KGHM,” said MNO regional councillor Juliette S. Denis, chair of the Mattawa/Lake Nipissing Consultation Committee. “We see this relationship as an opportunity to foster new collaborations while working together to protect our traditional values and way of life. We look forward to continuing to strengthen our relationship with KGHM as their project progresses."
The Victoria Project, located in the Sudbury Basin near shows an inferred resource of 14.5 million tonnes of ore, with the grade of 2.5 per cent of copper, 2.5 per cent of nickel, and 7.6 g/t of precious metals.
The company is expected to make a full funding decision on Victoria by the end of 2015.
