ABORIGINAL RELATIONS: Vale Canada, Sagamok Anishnawbek solidify Totten partnership

ONTARIO – Last Friday, Paul Eshkakogan, chief of Sagamok Anishnawbek, and Kelly Strong, Vale’s VP of mining and milling for the North Atlantic Region, solidified their working relationship regarding Vale’s Totten nickel mine with the signing of an impacts and benefits agreement during Treaty Day celebrations at Sagamok Anishnawbek First Nation.

The IBA formalizes the ways in which Vale and Sagamok will work together to advance their shared interest in building and sustaining a mutually beneficial working relationship throughout the life of the mine. The agreement is effective immediately and provides for participation in environmental aspects of the project, the development of a human resource strategy, and established contract processes that will support local Sagamok suppliers during each phase of the mine, from construction through to operation and eventual closure. A financial contribution will support community initiatives outlined in the First Nation’s Ten Year Action Plan for Healing and Community Development.

“The signing of this agreement represents the culmination of many years of fruitful discussion with Vale as well as commitment by our community to a prosperous future” said Eshkakogan.

Vale plans to reopen the Totten mine (closed since 1972) later this year. Please visit Vale.com.