Cementation Canada and Big Grassy First Nation LP have been recognized with the 2025 Indigenous Partnership Award from the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum (CIM).
The partners were recognized during the CIM's annual awards gala, held in Montreal during its annual CIM Connect conference May 4-7.
This award is given “for significant, ongoing contribution to the advancement of Indigenous reconciliation in the mining sector.”
Cementation and Big Grassy began their partnership in July 2020 to support early-stage underground mine development at New Gold’s Rainy River mine in northwestern Ontario, the company noted.
The agreement was designed to prepare community members for training and job opportunities. Participants were trained through the company's New Miner Training Program, which the company said “combines theoretical instruction, hands-on learning, and paid job placement.”
“Our community has witnessed transformative changes in the lives of our members — changes that ripple out to benefit their families and the broader community,” said James Comegan, chief executive officer of Big Grassy First Nation LP, in a May 13 news release.
“Cementation’s willingness to explore non-traditional approaches to support our people has been truly impressive. They’ve created opportunities for our members to earn meaningful wages without having to leave home and invested in culturally centric mental health services to help with our community’s healing.”
The partnership has resulted in various economic benefits as well as social programming and cultural revitalization.
At peak periods, 25 per cent of Big Grassy’s population was employed on the project. That's up from the original target of 10 per cent.
“At Cementation, we are deeply committed to upholding the rights of Indigenous Peoples and fostering meaningful inclusion in all aspects of our mining projects,” Eric Kohtakangas, Cementation's senior executive vice-president, said in the release.
“Our relationships with Indigenous communities are built on trust, respect and mutual benefit, and it has been an honour to live these values with our friends at Big Grassy First Nation and learn from them.”
The company said this initiative signals its commitment to the 92nd Call to Action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, which advocates for Indigenous consultation on economic development projects and equal access to training and job opportunities.
