First Nation, OSK Hammond ReefResource-sharing agreement inked at ceremony
Gold exploration in the district marked another milestone thismorning as the Fort Frances Chiefs Secretariat, Lac Des Mille Lacs
FirstNation, and Osisko Hammond Reef Gold Ltd. signed a resource-sharingagreement at a ceremony at La Place Rendez-Vous here.
“This is an important and significant next step in the continuedrelationship between First Nations,” Tammy Ryll, executive director ofthe Fort Frances Chiefs Secretariat, said in a news release.
“Osisko has proactively engaged in a process of consultation thatrespects our traditional territories and our treaty rights, and we arepleased to support their initiative and its continued development,” sheadded.
The Hammond Reef advanced gold project is located near Atikokan.
It formerly was operated by Brett Resources until a friendly takeoverby Osisko Mining Corp. that was announced in March of this year andcompleted in August.
As part of this agreement between the company and First Nations’communities, several committees will be formed to “facilitateinformation gathering and maintaining open, transparent lines ofcommunications.”
The agreement also sees Osisko providing employment and training to the communities.
Meanwhile, participating communities will create operating trusts whichwill receive training and educational funding from Osisko, and acceptshares of Osisko Mining Corp. as “milestones in exploration anddevelopments are reached.”
The signing of this resource-sharing agreement between the Fort FrancesChiefs Secretariat, Lac Des Mille Lacs First Nation, and Osisko is theresult of a respectful and considered consultation process between thesignatories,” Osisko president and CEO Sean Roosen said in the newsrelease.
“The agreement reflects a spirit of partnership and co-operation thatbegan under the direction of Brett Resources, and underscores Osisko’scommitment to continue developing this strong relationship with the FortFrances Chiefs Secretariat and Lac Des Mille Lacs First Nation.
“It is a first significant step that we believe will result in amutually-beneficial development and operation at Hammond Reef, one thatwill lead to lasting educational, employment, and economic benefits tothe community members,” Roosen added.
Osisko Mining Corp. is a development stage gold mining company based in Montreal.
The First Nation communities signing this agreement include Lac DesMille Lacs First Nation and the seven communities which are members ofthe Fort Frances Chiefs Secretariat: Couchiching, Lac La Croix,Mitaanjigamiing, Naicatchewenin, Nigigoonsiminikaaning, Rainy RiverFirst Nations, and Seine River.
https://fftimes.com/node/238784