Mattagami First Nation Chief Chad Boissoneau says community members are looking forward to the start of a new gold mine.
“We are very anxious and excited,” he said. “It’s going to get very busy. I can see it now from the last three days."
Earlier this week, IAMGOLD announced that the Côté Gold Project, a joint venture with Sumitomo Metal Mining Co., has received approvals for construction of an open-pit gold mine located 20 km southwest of Gogama.
Last year, IAMGOLD signed an impact benefit agreement (IBA) with Mattagami First Nation and Flying Post First Nation.
IBAs are usually confidential deals between a mining company and a First Nation community, generally involving employment, training and contracting opportunities, and sometimes even ownership through the issuance of shares.
There are about 200 people living on reserve in Mattagami with a total population of 600 community members, many of whom live off reserve.
Boissoneau said there will be employment and training opportunities for community members in areas like plumbing and electrical with a "lot of focus” on apprenticeships and heavy equipment. Training is expected to be provided by various organizations.
“Anybody and everybody who wants to work should be eligible,” he said. “There are opportunities for youth to up to middle-aged and even people close to retirement.”
Boissoneau said the community developed a “nice relationship” with IAMGOLD over the past couple of years. Since it’s not the first IBA Mattagami First Nation has signed, community leaders knew how to negotiate and what benefits to look for, he said.
“The first two IBAs weren't as lucrative and there wasn’t much trust or faith in each other at the table. We passed those days and we know how to negotiate a fair IBA, so a mine can prosper and First Nation communities can prosper based on the impact and the history of the area the First Nation is losing.”
The area which will be used for development has been traditionally used for transportation, hunting, trapping, fishing, ceremonies and picking medicinal plants.
“It is very close to our community and there’s a lot of history there which will be destroyed and we’re happy IAMGOLD has agreed to cover some compensations.”
Under the IBA, the community will be receiving its annual revenue share which will go toward improving its health services, education and housing programs.
“Even going to a dentist has been cut back tremendously over the past (years), so we’d like to take those funds and apply them to those areas where we can help our community members,” Boissoneau said.
“A lot of people are under the misimpression that we get free housing on First Nation and that’s not the case. It hasn’t been that way for two or three decades. We all have to get a mortgage, pay for our houses like anybody else who lives off the community. So this will help us open up subdivisions and identify new lots and have them serviced with water and hydro and utilities.”
- With files from Northern Ontario Business
