Canada introduces Aboriginal mining initiative

NEWS RELEASE - GOVERNMENT OF CANADA, MINING ASSOCIATION OF CANADA

*************************** Tool kit to increase Aboriginal involvement in mining

EDMONTON, March 17 - The Honourable Anne McLellan, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, and Member of Parliament for Edmonton West, and the Honourable R. John Efford, Minister of Natural Resources Canada, announced today the development of a mining tool kit to help increase Aboriginal participation in mining.

The announcement was made at the Aboriginal-Industry Mining Round Table.

The Round Table - involving representatives from the mining industry, Aboriginal communities and organizations and governments - addressed the current status of Aboriginal participation in mining, the challenges faced, and how governments, industry and Aboriginal people might work together to overcome them. "Addressing the challenges facing Aboriginal communities in Canada is a priority of Prime Minister Paul Martin and his government," stated Minister McLellan.

"One of the ways we can make a difference is by working in partnership with Aboriginal organizations and with industries like mining, whose activities offer opportunities and hope on the ground." "Today's mining activity, whether it's taking place in the oil sands, in diamonds or in base metals in northern Quebec or Labrador, offers new and exciting opportunities for Aboriginal people," stated Minister Efford.

"The Government of Canada, working with its partners, wants to ensure that Aboriginal people are able to participate fully in the success of the industry and our nation's good fortune."

Natural Resources Canada, Indian and Northern Affairs Canada, The Mining Association of Canada (MAC) and the Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada (PDAC) are co-funding the tool kit, while the Canadian Aboriginal Minerals Association (CAMA) is developing it.

"This partnership initiative will encourage Aboriginal businesses to explore possibilities within the resource sector, which in turn will build stronger, more self-sufficient communities. Through such projects, the Government of Canada is supporting Aboriginal economic development," said the Honourable Andy Mitchell, Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development. The tool kit will provide useful information and guidance to Aboriginal communities on the mining industry and opportunities for participation during all stages of development, from exploration to closure and reclamation.

It will highlight examples of Aboriginal participation in mining currently taking place across Canada and provide contact information with industry and Aboriginal leaders involved in mining.

It will also outline in detail the regulatory process to ensure that Aboriginal people are well informed of the opportunities to address and influence the economic, social and environmental issues associated with new mine development.

"The development of a tool kit for Aboriginal people, designed for our needs and with our interests in mind, will be very useful to us," emphasized Hans Matthews, President of the CAMA.

"Research CAMA conducted last year demonstrated a genuine need for this kind of product."

For its part, the mining industry believes the tool kit will facilitate new mining development.

"Mining and exploration often takes place on Aboriginal traditional lands," explained Gordon Peeling, President and CEO of the MAC.

"Aboriginal people increasingly work at the mines, supply services and participate in research - an involvement that is beneficial to industry and to their communities. This is a trend we want to encourage."

"Mining explorationists are the first contact local communities have with the mining industry. The better prepared we are to work with communities and vice versa, the more likely exploration will be welcome and mining investment will take place," added Tony Andrews, Executive Director of the PDAC. "The tool kit will help all of us."

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