Model for Mining Agreements

This is the busiest area for mineral exploration and development in Ontario, and arguably in Canada. At the present time, within the territory there are 10 operating mines, and two in development. The area is full of advanced mining projects and mining exploration activities projects in gold, nickel, cobalt, silver along with other critical minerals.

Exploration Agreements Establish a Relationship with Mining Companies

Wabun Tribal Council has followed a model that enables exploration while ensuring benefits flow to Wabun area First Nations and their traditions are respected.

Wabun Tribal Council (WTC) is a non-profit regional council established in 1989, and based in Timmins, On, uniting five distinct Anishinabek First Nations. Brunswick House, Chapleau Ojibwe, Flying Post, Mattagami and Matachewan First Nation.

The Chiefs of the First Nations make up the WTC’s board of directors, advising and giving direction to the operation and initiatives of WTC. The council has played a key role in regional planning, public relations, political advocacy, and policy development.

WTC has been advocating and facilitating dynamic relationships with the mining industry.

Wabun Tribal Council’s traditional territory includes the Timmins and Kirkland Lake mining camps, two of the busiest areas for mineral exploration and development in Ontario and all of Canada.

Existing Mines include Newmont Porcupine and Borden Lake near

Chapleau, Glencore Kidd Mine, Pan American Silver Timmins West and Bell Creek Complex, McEwen Mining’s Black Fox Mine, Alamos Gold’s Young Davidson Mine in Matachewan, Agnico Eagle’s Macassa Mine in Kirkland and IAMGOLD’s Côté Gold mine near Gogama which is in the construction phase and is expected to start operations in 2024.

Led by Jason Batise and backed by five member First Nations, Wabun Tribal Council has developed a model or method for ensuring that benefits from mining projects are shared with the people who have occupied these lands for thousands of years.

“So, whenever a junior comes and they want to explore, we have a sort simple agreement where we sort of agree to begin a conversation,” Batise said. “They’re not very lucrative in terms of the money they provide to the community, but the important part is the conversation.”

Early-Stage agreements are important to Wabun Council because they establish a relationship with the mining companies that carries through to the operation and closure of the mine. “We begin the negotiation on an exploration agreement at the early stage, so that when and if there’s a discovery that’s economically viable in our mind, we’ve already got a legal way to continue the conversation whether it’s the junior company or during the construction and operation of the mine or somebody else buys them out,” explained Batise. Exploration agreements, also referred to as memorandums of understanding (MOUs) are the requirement for support on all companies seeking an exploration permit from the Ministry of Mines.

According to Batise, WTC and member First Nations have signed hundreds of MOUs with companies. They provide a commitment to the

“There are thousands of mineral claims in the Timmins Kirkland mining camp,” Jason Batise said about the amount of exploration going on in the Wabun Territory.” I’ve got a map on my office wall of the existing claims and it’s almost the entire land base”. Cont’d on pg. 74