Mining Industry Must Provide Partnership Opportunities for Aboriginal Communities in Future Projects – Mining Life

The new realities must replace the old myths that once governed the way mines were planned and approved said Hans Matthews, the President of the Canadian Aboriginal Minerals Association.

Matthews addressed the Gala Dinner for the North America Mining Expo at the Caruso Club in Sudbury on September 9, 2014 and offered those attending lessons that he has learned over the 23 years he has been involved with CAMA.

Over the last 23 years Matthews has witnessed and participated in a number of significant changes and the old beliefs held by the mining industry needs to be replaced with the new reality.

“The first myth is that aboriginal communities are absent in mining lands issues, but the reality is that we have asserted our interest in all aspects of land use. Including the land that is not owned directly by First Nations, but where they have established past use,” states Matthews.

Aboriginal communities want to benefit

First Nations want to benefit from spinoff opportunities from mining. Mining projects are often the best opportunity for aboriginal communities. Increasingly today that comes in the form of mining companies contracting aboriginal business to provide services

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