Mineral Exploration is the official publication of the Association of Mineral Exploration British Columbia.
Issue link: http://digital.canadawide.com/i/428696
Aerial view of the loading dock at Orca Sand and Gravel. Photograph : Polaris Minerals Corporation W I N T E R 2 0 1 4 97 – built on a foundation of trust with the Leq'a:mel First Nation over the last three years on the principles of hard work, hon- esty, sustainability, family and a sense of community, according to the company. Currently, in its DeBench Pit operation, 70 per cent of staff are from the Leq'á:mel First Nation, and Mission Ridge is pro- viding the training internally. Mission Ridge president and CEO Ted Craiggs, asked whether he wishes to change anything within the legal duty to consult, replied, "We have a very trust- ing, proactive, supportive relationship with the Leq'á:mel First Nation. Our consultation is limited to our joint ven- ture working agreement, which is geared towards the development of long-term employment solutions and sustainable growth for their community as a whole." The duty to consult Wilson's view is that the duty to consult is complex and ever-changing. "Essentially, the duty to consult was really that of the provincial government, but we realized that they did not have the manpower to be effective, so the company led an exceptional consultation exercise with government officers in attendance." Engagement with the First Nations takes place quarterly with each band for Polaris, and, for Mission Ridge, con- sists of a continual engagement "with the band members and band board of executives to ensure we are on the same page and both parties are fulfilling their respective obligations," says Craiggs. Funding for the joint ventures is one- sided. Wilson confirms that Polaris has not taken any payment from the First Nations. On behalf of Mission Ridge, Craiggs says that, "at this point, the Leq'á:mel have not jointly f unded any joint venture programs and are actively seeking provincial and federal assistance in their commitment in the development of their band members through training and education." The Leq'á:mel have provided the use of their land in Deroche, B.C., as a landfill oper- ation and, in turn, Mission Ridge will build a sports field for the band. Employing First Nations Polaris and Mission Ridge have both demonstrated commitment to employing First Nations. Fifty per cent of Polaris's employees are Aboriginal, and Polaris provides all necessar y training on site. "This is a moral obligation or a target, not a legal quota, but we have kept to it and very successfully," says Wilson. "We have enabled several First Nations employees to pass the Shift Boss examination, and their members are employed at all levels including management/supervisory." Craiggs is more specific about the situ- ation at Mission Ridge: "Positions we have made available through our self-funded, in-house training program are: scale operators, security, general labourers, equipment operators, crushermen, traf- fic control, water monitoring and landfill supervision. We are committed to the hir- ing of First Nations personnel who show a desire and commitment to their future training and employment development." Capitalizing on local knowledge On occasion, local knowledge can be invaluable. It helped Polaris ascertain wildlife movements and, as Wilson explains, "every aspect of the environ- mental baseline studies was carried out with a First Nation member from the bands present so there could be no concern about the diligence of the exer- cise. We also employ some First Nation contractors in the operation when pos- sible on areas such as noxious weed con- trol, bird-nesting studies, pre-clearing of land, etc. We give priority to First Nations contractors, but on a commer- cial basis they must fairly compete." And at Mission Ridge? Ted Craiggs affirms, "Yes, they have been instrumen- tal in assisting us in securing projects for the supply of aggregate locally and provin- cially through our joint venture agreement and the hiring of trained band members." Successes and disagreements Neither Polaris nor Mission Ridge has experienced any disagreement with their respective First Nations. But Wilson is quick to point out that, "although regarded as a mining operation, produc- tion of construction aggregates is benign compared to metal mining – we don't generate tailings, use chemicals or have huge waste dumps, and the land is being progressively reclaimed. This makes us an easier sell to all stakeholders." In terms of successes, continues Wilson, "Our most significant achieve- ment was that the exceptional consulta- tion secured the support of each band when we made our mining and environ- mental permit applications. This positive support enabled agencies like Fisheries and Oceans Canada to move quickly and positively." At Mission Ridge, the main success "is providing full-time, well-paying positions within our pit operations and ongoing projects," says Craiggs. "These opportunities have paid major dividends to both the Leq'á:mel and Mission Ridge Group in the development of trust." He adds in closing, "Mission Ridge Group is very proud of the relation- ship and accomplishments to date in the development of our joint venture agreement with the Leq'á:mel First Nation. Their continued proactive com- mitment in the development, training and education of their band members is unparalleled from what I have wit- nessed for a very long time." •