Skip to content

Sustainable development in miners and First Nations

Ontario's mining industry is leading the way with ideas that promote sustainable development in Aboriginal communities.

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.