Project agreements finalized for planned open-pit gold mine near Red Lake
Three First Nations have new agreements related to a planned open-pit gold mine, northeast of Red Lake.
The agreements set out the involvement of Cat Lake, Lac Seul, and Slate Falls in First Mining Gold’s Springpole Gold Project.
They cover all aspects of the project, respecting the environment and the community’s culture.
Commitments to employment, business opportunities, and financial benefits are also outlined.
Chief of Cat Lake, Russell Wesley, says they will lead to meaningful opportunities for his community, strengthen their ability to shape our future, and protect their relationships with the land, water, and all who call this place home.
“Developed over more than four years, this agreement is rooted in Anishinaabe teachings and law,” states Russell in a release.
“It reflects our Anishinaabe-led Impact Assessment that was completed in partnership with Lac Seul First Nation. We know from our Members that this project will impact our lives and connection to our home.”
“This milestone reflects years of hard work, cooperation, respect and willingness to share the rich resources within our Traditional Territories, in accordance with our Anishinaabe laws and traditions,” adds Clifford Bull, Chief of Lac Seul First Nation.
” This land will always be home to our people long after the Springpole Project has ended. The conditions we built into the Agreement from our ALIA process will ensure that this Project – from beginning to end – will be guided by our laws so that our lands and waters, and all our relations are protected for generations to come.”
Chief of Slate Falls Lorraine Crane says their agreement secures stronger protections for the environment, meaningful roles in monitoring, and real opportunities for training, work, and benefits for her community.
“We will hold this process to account because the land and our responsibilities to it do not change with a signature,” states Crane.
“We move forward carefully, with our eyes open. We appreciate First Mining’s openness to collaboration, and we look forward to working together.”
Dan Wilton, Chief Executive Officer of First Mining, is pleased with the documents’ signings.
They came about following a community-based Anishinaabe-led Impact Assessment (“ALIA”) process that ensured the First Nations’ interests and concerns were taken into account.
“We appreciate the enormous amount of work and dedication that (the) Nations have put into understanding the Springpole Project and working toward this collaborative definitive agreement for advancement of the mine,” states Wilton.
The company is aiming to start construction of the open-pit mine next year, with production targeted for 2030.
