Ontario's mining industry is leading the way with ideas that promote sustainable development in Aboriginal communities.
A document produced by Natural Resources Canada titled "Agreements Between Mining Companies and Aboriginal Communities or Governments" shows that 105 agreements have been signed between mining enterprises and Aboriginals. Twenty-nine of those agreements are in this province. These contracts have been identified and validated by the Intergovernmental Working Group on the Mineral Industry and range from joint-ventures, impact-benefit agreements to exploration and socio-economic agreements.
Several examples of such agreements include the Musselwhite gold mine, in northwestern Ontario that provided a number of First Nations with training, employment and business related opportunities in local communities. Xstrata Nickel and the Wanapitei First Nation reached a mutual benefit agreement concerning the development of the Nickel Rim project in the Sudbury area. De Beers Canada, located near Attawapiskat, has a close relationship with First Nation communities in the vicinity. Approximately 140 people, or 40 per cent of the Victor workforce mine are Aboriginal.
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