First Mining says Cat Lake and Lac Seul have signed Springpole agreement

First Mining Gold said on Aug. 27 that it entered into the Springpole Project Consultation and Benefits Agreement with Cat Lake First Nation and Lac Seul First Nation for its gold project in northwestern Ontario. The release says the agreement covers construction, operations and closure, and lists environmental management and monitoring, training and employment measures, business opportunities, equity and participation in the project’s economic upside, and sharing of financial benefits. It gives no dollar amounts, percentages or terms.

In statements carried in the release, Cat Lake Chief Russell Wesley said the agreement was developed over more than four years, and tied it to an Anishinaabe-led impact assessment completed in partnership with Lac Seul. Lac Seul Chief Clifford Bull said conditions from that assessment were built into the agreement. The release does not list them.

Separately, the Government of Canada determined on June 30, in a release from the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada, that the project is not likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects. Its Decision Statement requires the proponent to establish one or more Indigenous Environmental Committees before construction. The release adds that the proponent still has to get whatever authorizations and permits it needs.