Mattagami and Flying Post First Nations sign Exploration Agreement with gold mining firm
Lake Shore Gold working with Wabun First Nations;
Posted By XAVIER KATAQUAPIT, July 18, 2008
Two Wabun Tribal Council First Nation communities and Lake Shore Gold Corporation will soon be benefiting by the development of the company's Timmins West Gold property only 18 kilometres west of Timmins.
Mattagami and Flying Post First Nations signed an Exploration Agreement with Lake Shore Gold Corp. at the Wabun office complex in Timmins on Friday.
Of several agreements signed by Wabun Tribal Council First Nations over the past few years, the developing Timmins West Gold property with Lake Shore Gold Corp. could be the largest mineral producer.
Anthony Makuch, president/ CEO of Lake Shore Gold Corp., commended the chiefs and negotiating team for producing the exploration agreement.
"The agreement being announced today is an important step for maintaining and further developing our solid and mutually beneficial working relationships with both the Mattagami and Flying Post First Nations -- two key stakeholders in the Timmins West project," said Makuch.
"We have the greatest respect for both communities and wish to thank them for the constructive approach they displayed in negotiating the completion of the exploration agreement. We look forward to working with them for many years to come as we move Timmins West from exploration/advanced exploration through development and to production."
In addition to Makuch, the official signing ceremony included Chief Walter Naveau of Mattagami First Nation, Chief Murray Ray of Flying Post First Nation, Shawn Batise, executive director of the Wabun Tribal Council; Chris McKay, lands and resources manager with the Mattagami First Nation as well as Lake Shore Gold Corp. officials Brian Hagan, vice-president, of health, safety and environment and Chris Stewart, vice-president operations.
Naveau pointed out that this agreement and others that have been signed by Wabun communities are significant and timely developments.
"This agreement is another stepping stone in our development as First Nation people," he said. "This is an historic period for my people as we are finally able to work with mining companies in a way that benefits us."
Chief Ray explained that this and other agreements with natural resource developers has reaffirmed a belief by Flying Post First Nation members that historic treaties would some day have meaning.
"In the past, life has been very hard on our members and we have been dispersed from our lands far and wide," he said. "But today with the hope of a brighter future, there is excitement about the prospect of coming back to our land."
Hagan and Stewart were key Lake Shore Gold Corp personnel involved in discussions with the Wabun communities. Hagan outlined the current status of the project in that the company has identified 1.2 million ounces of probable gold reserves.
He added that Lake Shore Gold Corp. is in the process of collecting bulk samples and the company should be starting to sink a mine shaft sometime this August.
Batise and McKay have been the driving force behind the discussions with Lake Shore Gold Corp.
"Every bit of this work in negotiating with companies like Lake Shore Gold and others is very gratifying as it directly relates to making life better for our Wabun First Nation members," said Batise.
"It is important that our Wabun First Nations must benefit directly in regards to the resource development happening on our traditional lands. Mutual agreements like this one we are signing today ensures that the project goes ahead smoothly and everyone benefits."
Wabun Tribal Council and Mattagami First Nation began talking with Lake Shore Gold in September 2006, as part of an overall strategy dedicated to consultation with resource development companies operating on or near Wabun traditional lands. The resulting exploration agreement provides the First Nations with consulting and advisory services, employment and training, business opportunities, ongoing communication and environmental consultation.
Lake Shore Gold Corp. is a mineral exploration company with an existing processing facility near Timmins and a number of mineral properties located in Northern Ontario and Quebec.
The Timmins West Gold advanced exploration project is positioned to become Lake Shore Gold's first producing property.
The site is located 18 kilometres west of Timmins near the intersection of Highways 101 and 144.
Wabun Tribal Council is a regional territorial organization that represents seven First Nation communities in northeastern Ontario and it is directed by its respective chiefs.