Seizing On A Golden Opportunity
Seizing On A Golden Opportunity by Amanda Dawn Graff At the recent Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada (PDAC) convention held in Toronto Ontario, Detour Gold Corporation and Moose Cree First Nation (MCFN) commemorated an executed agreement that will endorse a mutually beneficial partnership throughout the course of the Detour Lake gold mining operation. The project, located just west of the Ontario/Québec border is shaping up to be Canada’s largest pure gold play with open pit reserves of 14.9 million ounces and global resources of 25.6 million ounces. Detour Lake was initially operated between 1983-1999, as a small open pit followed by an underground operation, but was later closed and reclaimed when the price of gold tumbled in 1998. Almost a decade later, the site was acquired by Detour Gold Corporation and in just over three years, was transformed into what will be the largest gold mine operations in the country. The project will make a significant contribution to the local economy, with an
estimated $1.2 billion directly invested in the construction phase alone, employing a solid workforce base of 1,000 people and 500 during operations. It is estimated that
The agreement creates sustainable benefits for the community that includes an initial $1 million educational fund, tailored technical training programs and diverse employment opportunities. the mine will have a more than $10 billion impact over the first 12 years of mine life. Prior to development, Detour Gold President and CEO, Gerald Panneton met
with MCFN Chief Norm Hardisty Jr. and Council for initial discussions that resulted in a Memorandum of Understanding. The Memorandum quickly blossomed into a fully executed economy agreement that reflects both Detour Gold’s commitment to respect the rights of Aboriginal partners and stimulate the local economy as well as Moose Cree First Nation’s mandate to foster employment and training opportunities for their nearly 4,000 Band Members. The agreement creates sustainable benefits for the community that includes an initial $1 million educational fund, tailored technical training programs and diverse employment opportunities. It will also provide significant contractual and business opportunities for Moose Cree First Nation. For example, after receiving the green light from the Provincial government, Detour Lake Constructors was awarded the development of a 185 kilometer transmission line that will connect the mine site to Ontario’s electric grid in support of construction and mining operations. The construction firm is led by Peter
TSX-‐V:TWD ADVANCING OUR DETOUR LAKE PROPERTIES TO FEASIBILITY
T R A D E W I N D S V E N T U R E S I N C . ~ 4.65 MILLION OUNCE GLOBAL RESOURCE ~ ~ ADJACENT TO DETOUR GOLD ~ Block A property - 50% JV with Detour Gold Gowest property - 100% ownership Strategically located on the westward trend of Detour Goldʼs 14.9 million ounce planned open-pit operation Updated NI 43-101 resource estimate by Watts, Griffis and McOuat released in February, 2011 30,000 metre exploration drill program underway Contact Information: Terry McGee, Manager Corporate Communications 1166 Alberni Street, Suite 1006, Vancouver, BC, Canada V6E 3Z3 Tel: 604-648 6228 Email: [email protected]
w w w . t r a d e w i n d s v e n t u r e s . c o m
34 The Aboriginal Miner | June 2011
Kiewit Infrastructure Co. and comprised of Moose Cree Constructors Inc., New Post Constructors LP and Wahgoshig First Nation. “The success of the Detour Lake project depends on access to qualified, skilled individuals and high quality products and services that can be tailored to the project’s unique needs. Similarly, success at the community level requires access to comprehensive training, attractive employment opportunities and a strong consumer base for products and services,” said Derek Teevan, VP of Government and Aboriginal Affairs, Detour Gold Corporation. “This agreement paves the way to a rewarding, mutually beneficial arrangement that will span the 21 year life of the project and well beyond.” The mining industry is currently the largest employer of Aboriginal Communities in Canada and can open up a world of career development opportunity, when partnerships are backed by agreements that offer equity interest, training, employment and contracting prospects. These agreements enable community members to develop technically advanced skills and pursue fulfilling careers in many areas of mining including exploration, development, opera-
tions and reclamation. In fact, within the next decade, some 80,000 jobs will become available in the minerals industry as a result of a 40% retirement rate, an aging workforce and an increase in mineral production. A growing aboriginal population and proximity to mines is creating significant opportunities for Aboriginal Communities to develop relationships with the mining sector and pursue high wages, transferable skills and on the job training. Detour Gold is currently working to develop a Human Resources Guide that will outline upcoming employment opportunities and corresponding training programs. These programs will enable Community members to develop specialized skills such as welding, pipe fitting, plumbing and exploration. As part of their joint initiative, MCFN will also be hiring a training and employment coordinator to match individuals to available job opportunities in addition to an environmental coordinator that will ensure the preservation of the surrounding environment and wildlife throughout the course of the project. “One of our ongoing objectives is to ensure that developers on our homeland respect our treaty rights, and the Detour
Gold agreement has clearly accomplished this,” said Chief Norm Hardisty Jr., MCFN. “This agreement not only recognizes and respects our treaty rights and land preservation requirements, it also maximizes educational and employment opportunities for our many Band members.” The $1 million education fund will be used to grant scholarships and promote access to post secondary education for youth members of Moose Cree First Nation. Gerald Panneton, President and CEO of Detour Gold said, “One of the sustainable benefits of the Detour Lake project will be real opportunities for aboriginal youth to reach higher levels of education, which is a community goal for the MCFN. Through education and training, it will be possible for young aboriginal people to develop careers, both at the Detour Lake project and throughout the economy of northern Ontario.” Since acquiring the property four years ago, over 500,000 meters of drilling has already completed and Detour Gold is currently initiating economic studies to evaluate a potential expansion of the mining operation once production has started. Gold production is scheduled to begin in the first quarter of 2013.
Marshall Lake Project Copper • Silver • Gold • Zinc
An exciting new high-grade discovery of copper, silver and gold
2011 Drilling Underway With More Results To Come! ! 7389:; "#$%! &%'(#')*! =>! ;;;! >C! ;; +$! &%'(#')*! ;;?! ;;?! ;B=! ;B=! ;CC! ;C;! ;@C! ;?
,-.(/! &%'(#')*! @>A
01! &2*! E! White Tiger Mining Corp. honours Canada’s aboriginal elders for all of their ongoing efforts and contributions to our community. www.whitetigermining.com [email protected] Tel 604.922.2030
On behalf of White Tiger Mining Corp.’s directors, officers and senior staff: Douglas Mason, Ronald Coombes, Sead Hamzagic, Bruce Morley, Ed Yurkowski, Robert Middleton June 2011 | The Aboriginal Miner 35
estimated $1.2 billion directly invested in the construction phase alone, employing a solid workforce base of 1,000 people and 500 during operations. It is estimated that
The agreement creates sustainable benefits for the community that includes an initial $1 million educational fund, tailored technical training programs and diverse employment opportunities. the mine will have a more than $10 billion impact over the first 12 years of mine life. Prior to development, Detour Gold President and CEO, Gerald Panneton met
with MCFN Chief Norm Hardisty Jr. and Council for initial discussions that resulted in a Memorandum of Understanding. The Memorandum quickly blossomed into a fully executed economy agreement that reflects both Detour Gold’s commitment to respect the rights of Aboriginal partners and stimulate the local economy as well as Moose Cree First Nation’s mandate to foster employment and training opportunities for their nearly 4,000 Band Members. The agreement creates sustainable benefits for the community that includes an initial $1 million educational fund, tailored technical training programs and diverse employment opportunities. It will also provide significant contractual and business opportunities for Moose Cree First Nation. For example, after receiving the green light from the Provincial government, Detour Lake Constructors was awarded the development of a 185 kilometer transmission line that will connect the mine site to Ontario’s electric grid in support of construction and mining operations. The construction firm is led by Peter
TSX-‐V:TWD ADVANCING OUR DETOUR LAKE PROPERTIES TO FEASIBILITY
T R A D E W I N D S V E N T U R E S I N C . ~ 4.65 MILLION OUNCE GLOBAL RESOURCE ~ ~ ADJACENT TO DETOUR GOLD ~ Block A property - 50% JV with Detour Gold Gowest property - 100% ownership Strategically located on the westward trend of Detour Goldʼs 14.9 million ounce planned open-pit operation Updated NI 43-101 resource estimate by Watts, Griffis and McOuat released in February, 2011 30,000 metre exploration drill program underway Contact Information: Terry McGee, Manager Corporate Communications 1166 Alberni Street, Suite 1006, Vancouver, BC, Canada V6E 3Z3 Tel: 604-648 6228 Email: [email protected]
w w w . t r a d e w i n d s v e n t u r e s . c o m
34 The Aboriginal Miner | June 2011
Kiewit Infrastructure Co. and comprised of Moose Cree Constructors Inc., New Post Constructors LP and Wahgoshig First Nation. “The success of the Detour Lake project depends on access to qualified, skilled individuals and high quality products and services that can be tailored to the project’s unique needs. Similarly, success at the community level requires access to comprehensive training, attractive employment opportunities and a strong consumer base for products and services,” said Derek Teevan, VP of Government and Aboriginal Affairs, Detour Gold Corporation. “This agreement paves the way to a rewarding, mutually beneficial arrangement that will span the 21 year life of the project and well beyond.” The mining industry is currently the largest employer of Aboriginal Communities in Canada and can open up a world of career development opportunity, when partnerships are backed by agreements that offer equity interest, training, employment and contracting prospects. These agreements enable community members to develop technically advanced skills and pursue fulfilling careers in many areas of mining including exploration, development, opera-
tions and reclamation. In fact, within the next decade, some 80,000 jobs will become available in the minerals industry as a result of a 40% retirement rate, an aging workforce and an increase in mineral production. A growing aboriginal population and proximity to mines is creating significant opportunities for Aboriginal Communities to develop relationships with the mining sector and pursue high wages, transferable skills and on the job training. Detour Gold is currently working to develop a Human Resources Guide that will outline upcoming employment opportunities and corresponding training programs. These programs will enable Community members to develop specialized skills such as welding, pipe fitting, plumbing and exploration. As part of their joint initiative, MCFN will also be hiring a training and employment coordinator to match individuals to available job opportunities in addition to an environmental coordinator that will ensure the preservation of the surrounding environment and wildlife throughout the course of the project. “One of our ongoing objectives is to ensure that developers on our homeland respect our treaty rights, and the Detour
Gold agreement has clearly accomplished this,” said Chief Norm Hardisty Jr., MCFN. “This agreement not only recognizes and respects our treaty rights and land preservation requirements, it also maximizes educational and employment opportunities for our many Band members.” The $1 million education fund will be used to grant scholarships and promote access to post secondary education for youth members of Moose Cree First Nation. Gerald Panneton, President and CEO of Detour Gold said, “One of the sustainable benefits of the Detour Lake project will be real opportunities for aboriginal youth to reach higher levels of education, which is a community goal for the MCFN. Through education and training, it will be possible for young aboriginal people to develop careers, both at the Detour Lake project and throughout the economy of northern Ontario.” Since acquiring the property four years ago, over 500,000 meters of drilling has already completed and Detour Gold is currently initiating economic studies to evaluate a potential expansion of the mining operation once production has started. Gold production is scheduled to begin in the first quarter of 2013.
Marshall Lake Project Copper • Silver • Gold • Zinc
An exciting new high-grade discovery of copper, silver and gold
2011 Drilling Underway With More Results To Come! ! 7389:; "#$%! &%'(#')*! =>! ;;;! >C! ;; +$! &%'(#')*! ;;?! ;;?! ;B=! ;B=! ;CC! ;C;! ;@C! ;?
,-.(/! &%'(#')*! @>A
01! &2*! E! White Tiger Mining Corp. honours Canada’s aboriginal elders for all of their ongoing efforts and contributions to our community. www.whitetigermining.com [email protected] Tel 604.922.2030
On behalf of White Tiger Mining Corp.’s directors, officers and senior staff: Douglas Mason, Ronald Coombes, Sead Hamzagic, Bruce Morley, Ed Yurkowski, Robert Middleton June 2011 | The Aboriginal Miner 35
