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PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENTS

The Minerals and Metals Sector of Natural Resources Canada promotes the participation of Aboriginal communities in minerals and metals activities across Canada by sharing information on Aboriginal-industry leading practices.

MUSSELWHITE MINE
 

Project

The Musselwhite gold mine in northwestern Ontario is a fly-in, fly-out operation located along the southern shore of Opapimiskan Lake, approximately 480 air kilometres north of Thunder Bay. An all-weather road connects the mine to the community of Pickle Lake, more than 250 kilometres to the south. Originally a Placer Dome/TVX Gold Inc. joint venture, Musselwhite is now operated by majority owner Goldcorp Inc. and its joint-venture partner Kinross Gold. Although slated to close in 2013, new discoveries may extend the mine life beyond 2020.

Photo: Goldcorp Inc.

Signed Agreements

Musselwhite was one of the first mines in Ontario to enter into a comprehensive Impact and Benefit Agreement (IBA) with local First Nations communities. In September 2001, Musselwhite and the First Nations communities of North Caribou Lake, Cat Lake, Kingfisher Lake, and Wunnumin Lake, alongside Shibogama First Nations Council and Windigo First Nations Council, renewed the IBA originally signed in 1996. The deal provided compensation for affected groups, including trappers, and revenue sharing with signatory communities based on monthly production. The communities themselves make decisions on how the funds are managed. The agreement also provides for an Environmental Working Committee and a Musselwhite Working Committee to monitor socio-economic matters. Aboriginal representatives sit on each of the committees, and Chiefs and mine management hold regular meetings to monitor implementation of the IBA and to resolve disputes when required. Under the IBA, signatory communities were paid more than $2 million in 2005, with payments divided between revenue sharing, implementation funding, and environmental funding.

Employment and Training

Musselwhite employs approximately 369 workers, of which about 25% are Aboriginal persons. The mine has a target of 30% employment from the signatory and affiliate communities of Windigo and Shibogama First Nations Councils; at present, 16% of the Aboriginal work force comes from these signatory communities. Employees work on one- or two-week rotations as underground mine labourers, mill operators, diesel mechanics, carpentry maintenance workers, assay laboratory workers, travel coordinators, accounts payable staff, environmental trainees, and clerks. The positions vary from entry-level to senior positions within the operations. The company also supports a trade apprenticeship program that encourages First Nations involvement.

Economic/Business Development

Photo: Shane Matson, Musselwhite The mine purchased approximately $10 million in goods and services from companies owned by First Nations communities in 2006. Among the largest of these contracts was a deal for air travel with Wasaya Airlines and an annual agreement with Windigo Catering, which provides on-site food service. The Shibogama Health Authority provides nursing care at the mine site, while First Nations joint venture Pipestone Contracting has received an estimated $26 million in labour, freight and construction contracts since exploration began. Musselwhite also provided a group of communities from the Shibogama First Nations Council with a $450 000 interest-free loan to partner with the RONA chain in opening a hardware store in Sioux Lookout.

Social/Cultural and Community Support

Musselwhite's Employee Assistance Program (EAP) aims to provide employees living in remote communities with additional social support, including visits to the mine by a social worker approximately four days per month. In late 2006, Musselwhite funded a series of crisis intervention workshops in a local First Nations community afflicted by suicide. The workshops focused on crisis intervention, conflict resolution, stress management, and teamwork. Another recent initiative is a Cultural Diversity Training Program aimed at identifying cultural differences and encouraging employees to work in a positive manner. Employees also manage a Recreational Committee and take advantage of an on-site gymnasium, weight room, saunas, a recreational area, and Internet access. During the summer, employees have the use of fishing boats and sailboats on nearby Opapimiskan Lake. Musselwhite has also pledged $150 000 to the new Sioux Lookout Hospital, which is currently awaiting construction.

Environmental Protection

Photo: Adèle Faubert, Musselwhite The Environmental Working Committee consists of representatives from the mine and the signatory communities and meets up to six times yearly to discuss issues such as wildlife management, environmental protection, and the results of the Environmental Effects Monitoring Program. The Pipestone Environmental Lands and Resources Monitoring Secretariat oversees environmental monitoring at the mine; Aboriginal representatives also participate in mine-related monitoring activities, including bird and fish studies and field assessment reviews, as well as mitigation measures such as, for example, the recovery of a snowmobile that fell through the ice. Local First Nations heritage and cultural sites are also monitored to prevent desecration and disturbance. As a seasonal discharger of effluent, Musselwhite holds opening and closing ceremonies for each discharge season where Aboriginal representatives are brought in to bless the effluent, offer prayers, and give thanks for a successful season. Aboriginal contractors worked on a man-made fish habitat that was created to compensate for a loss of habitat due to construction of a tailings impoundment in 1996.

Moving Forward

Musselwhite will continue to work with Aboriginal communities in helping to bridge gaps in basic education and training in order to improve the work force supply.

For more information on the Musselwhite mine, please visit www.goldcorp.com or contact the company by telephone at 807-532-2160 or by facsimile at 807-532-2021.

2007
For more information on Aboriginal communities and mining,
please visit www.nrcan-rncan.gc.ca/mms-smm or
send an e-mail to info-mms@nrcan-rncan.gc.ca