A version of this column was recently published in the premier issue of Onotassiniik, Wawatay’s Mining Quarterly http://onotassiniik.com/
Stan Sudol is a Toronto-based mining analyst, communications consultant and owner/editor of the RepublicOfMining.com website. www.republicofmining.com stan.sudol@republicofmining.com
While this year’s PDAC mining convention was filled with gloom and doom for both junior explorers and large miners, let’s remember that we are still in the middle of one of the largest expansions of mining activity in the history of mankind. Even in past commodity super cycles – the most recent occurred from the mid 1940s to the late 1970s – there were significant “corrections” but the overall trend was always upwards.
Well-respected Scotia Commodity expert Patricia Mohr recently stated that she feels that there will be a slowdown in exploration and mining activity in the next few years but the “bull run” will return in the second half of the decade.
As hundreds of millions of people in China, India and other developing nations urbanize and industrialize they will need the minerals that we dig out of the ground in northern Ontario and Canada. Mining has always been a boom and bust business and it is no different this time.
However, this slowdown will also give the First Nations surrounding the Ring of Fire a chance to access their training and infrastructure needs, allow ample time to complete and resolve environmental studies – hopefully Cliffs and the federal government will come to their senses and switch to the broader Joint Review Panel Environmental Assessment that most First Nations in the Ring of Fire prefer – as well as resolve outstanding resource revenue sharing issues with governments. Read the rest of this entry »
Established in 1980, Northern Ontario Business provides Canadians and international investors with relevant, current and insightful editorial content and business news information about Ontario’s vibrant and resource-rich North.
The municipality, its economic development commission and Fort William First Nation released their mining readiness strategy to serve as their game plan to prepare the communities for the monumental economic spinoffs expected to come their way.
A 398-page document, entitled Advantage Northwest, takes a wide angle view in forecasting the opportunities and challenges coming from mining development in northwestern Ontario and the Far North Ring of Fire exploration camp.
Prepared by SNC-Lavalin and Edward Hoshizaki Development Consulting, a final draft was circulated at two public meetings in April before a final document was released at month’s end with a list of recommendations and priorities to tackle.
Among the issues addressed are the transportation and electricity shortcomings in the region, business development to service the industry, labour issues, partnerships with First Nations, future land supply for incoming companies and people, and research and development opportunities. Read the rest of this entry »
Globe and Mailis Canada’s national newspaper with the second largest broadsheet circulation in the country. It has enormous influence on Canada’s political and business elite.
Contrary to what regular readers of newspapers might believe, aboriginal communities in Canada are not knee-jerk opponents of development. On the contrary, a careful reading of their recent responses to development proposals gives reason for optimism.
Perhaps the highest-profile example of a major natural resource project facing roadblocks in large part because of aboriginal opposition is the Northern Gateway pipeline to link Alberta’s oil sands to Asian markets through the West Coast. While other players (such as the B.C. government) matter too, without aboriginal support, Northern Gateway (or its equivalent) almost certainly will not succeed. With that support, it has a fighting chance. Can that support be achieved?
Those with long memories recall the 1970s proposal to build a Mackenzie Valley pipeline to carry Northwest Territories gas to southern markets. This proposal coincided with a rising aboriginal self-awareness and organizational muscle under outstanding leaders such as George Erasmus.
As the pipeline project gathered steam, these newly organized aboriginal communities begin to complain about their exclusion from decision making despite the fact that the pipeline’s greatest impact would fall on them and their land. Read the rest of this entry »
The National Post is Canada’s second largest national paper.
Aboriginal Canada wants in. For generations, natural-resource wealth and opportunity almost entirely bypassed Aboriginal communities. But now, empowered by court decisions, land-claims settlements, and rising Indigenous political power, Aboriginal people are determined to get a fair share from the development of natural resources on their territories.
For governments, developers and the country at large, significant adjustments are required if new partnerships and collaboration are going to become the hallmark of resource activity in Canada. The good news on this front is two-fold. First, First Nations, Métis and Inuit communities are ready to participate in collaborative activities. Second, Canada already has a significant number of examples of practical and effective partnerships with Aboriginal communities.
Aboriginal communities that are approached by resource companies typically are called upon to perform an exercise in socio-economic calculus. Negotiations focus on skills and job training for local residents, local hire provisions, opportunities for Aboriginally-controlled businesses, a defined role in environmental oversight and remediation, direct financial returns from resource sales, contributions to community projects and programs, and, increasingly, the possibility for equity ownership. The returns can be considerable, and can provide just compensation for developing resources on Aboriginal lands.
Aboriginal governments also have to determine if the proposed developers are trustworthy, and if regional and national governments will support the collaborations. Read the rest of this entry »
VANCOUVER, BC, May. 14, 2013/ Troy Media/ – If it bleeds, it leads. This old media maxim, that it is always the bad news that makes the headlines, is certainly re-enforced with respect to First Nations and the economy in British Columbia.
First Nation Threatens to Shut Down Mine headlines a story about the Wet’suwet’en First Nation (FN) and the Huckleberry copper/molybdenum mine in northern B.C. Any environmental concerns expressed by FN with respect to any project is framed to give the impression that all FN’s are vehemently opposed to any and all economic development.
Douglas Bland, in a report put out by the MacDonald-Laurier Institute, a think tank, goes even further than seeing FN’s as a hindrance to economic activity. Bland, a retired professor from Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario talks about “catastrophic confrontation” and violence between the “settler” community and Aboriginals. He quotes the usual numbers about low education and high unemployment among First Nations and sees the Idle No More events of last year as the thin edge of the wedge to a horrific future for Canada.
Fortunately, Bland’s is not the only outlook on prospects for Canada’s First Nations and the rest of the country offered by the MacDonald-Laurier think tank. They also released a study by Ken Coates and Brian Lee Crowley (READ: Growing Aboriginal power a good news story) which reached very different conclusions. Read the rest of this entry »
On the eastern shore of James Bay, a very different story
Freezing, mouldy homes. Sewage contamination. Sick kids. Unemployment. A blockade on the road to the mine. A hunger strike by the chief.
That, it seems, is the news from the Cree of James Bay — at least, as it’s defined by the desperate community of Attawapiskat, in northern Ontario. Before that, there was the news from nearby Kashechewan. Flooding. Despair. Suicide.
And both James Bay towns endured fresh emergencies this spring as the annual meltwaters exposed, again, their rickety infrastructure.
But bad news makes headlines and good news usually does not. So we’ve heard all about the mess on the Ontario shore of James Bay — and next to nothing about the success on the eastern shore, in Quebec. Read the rest of this entry »
The City of Thunder Bay, together with Fort William First Nation (FWFN) and the Thunder Bay Community Economic Development Commission (CEDC) has initiated a Mining Readiness Strategy to address and strategically plan for growth in Thunder Bay and the Northwestern Ontario Region. The Strategy is a major step forward to help guide all of Northwestern Ontario in capitalizing on the many opportunities that mining development is expected to bring to the Region.
The Northwestern Ontario region is forecasting significant growth in mineral exploration and mining development. This growth is expected to result in substantial economic and social development for Thunder Bay, its surrounding municipalities and First Nation communities. The discovery and development of major gold deposits, nickel and chromite in Northwestern Ontario’s “Ring of Fire” and other mineral resources are expected to create a variety of business opportunities that positively influence the Region’s economic outlook. This growth will place unique pressures on infrastructure and government services as well as the current, and future, mining labour market. Read the rest of this entry »
Resistance to repackaged neoliberalism grows in Quebec’s North
One year after the student strikes and Maple Spring that erupted in Quebec in 2012, the ongoing wave of social protests is having to recalibrate itself to meet a new set of challenges.
Former Liberal premier Jean Charest incited popular outrage with a proposed university tuition hike and broader austerity measures, but with last September’s election of Parti Québécois (PQ) leader Pauline Marois, many are finding that the neoliberal policies of the Charest government are only taking on slightly subtler forms.
In late February, Marois held a two-day summit on post-secondary education and announced that her government would continue to increase tuition costs, much to the chagrin of the student movement.
Also continuing is the northern Quebec development project known as Plan Nord under the previous provincial government and recently rebranded Le Nord Pour Tous under Marois. According to its official website, Plan Nord is a 25-year project estimated to bring in $80 billion in investments and create 20,000 jobs in mining, forestry, and dam projects. Read the rest of this entry »
CONFIRMATION that Bob Rae will negotiate for First Nations in the Ring of Fire mining belt should please all parties involved. Ensuring First Nations have an influential place at the table is essential to their full and fair inclusion in the biggest potential economic development in recent Ontario history. But it is not just the Matawa First Nations who should welcome the longtime MP and former Liberal leader to the table.
Governments have been flailing away on this file for years, trying to come to some sort of agreement on how to negotiate the ways in which First Nations are to be involved in development. Not what to negotiate, mind you, but how.
Government comes at this with a formal model that differs greatly from how aboriginal people talk to other people. Matawa has known and trusted Rae since he visited individual First Nations as Ontario NDP leader. He has held various responsibilities for First Nations activities at Queen’s Park and in Ottawa and he is clearly one of the few senior Canadian political figures who enjoy the confidence of First Nations.
Industry, too, should welcome Rae to the mining development talks since they have been caught between First Nations and government on most occasions when exploration is undertaken.
“ . . . There are many different public interests that need to be served in this regard and that’s certainly something I want to make sure happens,” Rae said back in March when he was first identified as Matawa’s choice. Read the rest of this entry »
Thunder Bay, May 10, 2013 – The Matawa Chiefs Council announced today that the Honourable Bob Rae, former federal leader of the Liberal Party and former Premier of Ontario, will be Chief Negotiator for Matawa First Nations during regional strategy negotiations with the Province of Ontario.
The Chiefs met with Mr. Rae this week to talk about regional and local issues, and to discuss the next steps in regards to proposed negotiations with the Province. Mr. Rae will tour all of the Matawa First Nations over the next few months and meet with the community members.
Although there has been no official response to the Chiefs’ proposal for a regional strategy negotiation framework, which was presented to the Premier on March 6, 2013, the Chiefs are moving ahead to prepare for the negotiations. The Chiefs reiterate their call for both levels of government to ensure that EA processes in their traditional territories provide for full participation by First Nations in a culturally appropriate manner and in their native languages.
For more information contact:
Chief Sonny Gagnon, Aroland First Nations – Cell: (807) 620-7195 Band Office: (807) 329-5970
Chief Roger Wesely, Constance Lake First Nation– Cell: (705) 373-0419 Band Office: (705) 463-2222
Chief Harry Papah, Eabametoong First Nation– Cell: (807) 630-7096 Band Office: (807) 242-7221 Read the rest of this entry »
Webequie’s Angeline Shewaybick is looking forward to a career in mining after graduating with the highest marks in Oshki-Pimache-O-Win’s Mining Essentials program.
“I tried really hard to study because I really wanted to do well,” said Shewaybick, who was awarded a laptop computer for her high marks during the May 2 graduation ceremony in Webequie. “My goal after this is finishing my education and hopefully getting into the mining industry. That’s where I want to work — it’s so close to home.”
Although Shewaybick was the only woman in the 12-week pre-employment training program, she encouraged other women to consider mining as a career. “It was a great experience for me,” Shewaybick said. “All I can say is take it — it was a great experience and I’ve learned a lot and you don’t have to be a guy to do it.”
Shewaybick enjoyed the hands-on pre-trades training activities in the Cambrian College mobile trades training trailer and the week-long job shadowing placement at the Cliffs Esker Camp in the Ring of Fire. “It was more hands on and I really enjoyed that part,” Shewaybick said.
Alec Wabasse, Amos Jacob, Brandon Shewaybick, Cody Mekanak, Corey Neshinapaise, Dylan Jacob, Edgar Jacob, Lewis Sofea, Leroy Troutlake, Luke Meekis, Robert Jacob, Rudy Mekanak and Simon Shewaybick, all from Webequie, also graduated from the program. Read the rest of this entry »
TORONTO, Ontario, May 6, 2013 — Today, the Honourable Tony Clement, Minister for FedNor, met with representatives of the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum (CIM) during their annual convention to underscore the importance of a collaborative approach to the development of the Ring of Fire, with an emphasis on early dialogue with First Nations.
“Our Government’s top priority is jobs, growth and long-term prosperity. The Ring of Fire is a generational opportunity that can materially improve the economic prospects and quality of life for thousands,” said Minister Clement. “The Harper Government is committed to working closely with the First Nation communities located near the Ring of Fire to ensure that they realize fully the economic benefits of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”
The Ring of Fire, located approximately 500 km northeast of Thunder Bay, is potentially the largest mining development Northern Ontario has ever seen. The region has significant deposits of nickel and copper, and represents North America’s single largest deposit of chromite, the main ingredient in stainless steel. With mineral content worth an estimated $30-$50-billion, the Ring of Fire could create 5,000 direct and indirect jobs in Northern Ontario alone.
“Our Government recognizes the importance of natural resource developments, like the Ring of Fire, to our country’s growth and long-term prosperity,” said Minister Clement. “That is why we are implementing a comprehensive resource development agenda based on principles of efficient governance, environmental protection and consultation with First Nations.” Read the rest of this entry »
Established in 1980, Northern Ontario Business provides Canadians and international investors with relevant, current and insightful editorial content and business news information about Ontario’s vibrant and resource-rich North.
The Ring of Fire received passionate lip service from the Ontario government in Premier Kathleen Wynne’s 2013 “prosperous and fair” budget. The Wynne government promised to keep working with industry and First Nations to “explore and develop mineral extraction opportunities…in an environmentally sustainable way.”
No mention was made of a financial commitment toward transportation infrastructure to the future mining camps of the Ring of Fire in the James Bay lowlands.
“The government will continue to assert Ontario’s pride in manufacturing, financial services, tourism, forestry and natural resource development,” said Wynne in her budget speech.
The government plans to extend its Northern Industrial Electricity Rate program, which helps cut power cuts to Ontario’s largest industries. The three-year program, announced in March 2010, will be extended with an additional $360 million over three years.
Among the government’s promises to business include job creation through investments in public transit, roads, bridges, hospitals and schools. Read the rest of this entry »
The Ring of Fire was missing from this year’s provincial budget when it was presented to Queen’s Park, but Ontario’s mining minister says it hasn’t been forgotten.
The minority-led Liberal government revealed its $127-billion budget in Toronto Thursday. It’s the first budget to be tabled under the leadership of premier Kathleen Wynne. Having six main themes, Finance Minister Charles Sousa said the government sought to create a fair and prosperous Ontario.
But Sousa never mentioned the massive chromite deposit in the lower James Bay area, which is expected to bring further prosperity to the province’s North. MPP Michael Gravelle (Lib. Thunder Bay – Superior North) said the Ring of Fire is in the budget.
“We’re providing $5 million in enhanced funding to those First Nation communities closest to the Ring of Fire,” he said. “There’s no question that our commitment to the Ring of Fire is very strong. I’m pleased to see that there will be significant investments going towards related to the Ring of Fire. For many people, the future of the province’s economy will benefit with the North succeeding.”
Gravelle pointed out that the Ring of Fire has been repeatedly mentioned in previous budgets and in the throne speech. He called the budget fair and strong and said he was pleased to see the number of investments being made in the North. Read the rest of this entry »
Ellsworth Dickson is the Editor-in-Chief of Resource World Magazine.
An excellent book recently written by Bill Gallagher entitled Resource Rulers details the rise of native empowerment in Canada and its effect on resource development. Gallagher was in a unique position to write the book as he is a lawyer, strategist, facilita- tor, energy regulator and treaty negotiator with 30 years experience in the area of gov- ernment, native and corporate relations. He attended and sometimes participated in a number of the events he describes.
The author did a meticulous job of assem- bling dozens of pertinent official documents from both the government and native side and provides a history of how Canadian First Nations peoples started with virtu- ally no power over what happened on their traditional lands, much of which was never ceded to Europeans, to the point where today they have won 179 court cases.
The reason so many cases ended up in court was not that First Nations peoples were overly litigious; it was the lack of or inadequate arrangements with the various provincial, territorial and federal govern- ments in dealing with their concerns over hydropower, petroleum, forestry, mineral projects as well as harvesting of maritime food resources.
The winning court cases were often based on treaties signed with England as far back as 1752 that stated the Crown had a fiduciary duty to permit First Nation peoples to hunt, fish and trade various resources on their traditional lands. In addition, First Nations should not suffer adverse effects of industrial development. Read the rest of this entry »
