The Metis Nation-Saskatchewan has signed an Impact Benefit Agreement with Denison Mines over the Wheeler River Project in northern Saskatchewan.
The Metis Nation and the mining company also signed an exploration agreement at a signing event in Saskatoon Thursday morning.
The goal of the Impact Benefits Agreement is to provide commitment that the Metis in the Northwest and Denison Mines will work together to ensure the mine has positive benefits for all involved.
These will include environmental commitments, training and employment opportunities, business commitments, as well as some royalty payments for resources extracted from the mine.
The exploration agreement is in regards to any future develops Denison Mines has in the region. These would include the development of a Phoenix deposit using on-site recovery mining, and the development of another underground mine at the Gyphon deposit.
Leadership from MN-S and Denison Mines signed the agreement at an event in Saskatoon.
A total of 16 people signed the documents. Negotiations were said to be undertaken over the past 6years.
“This is another example of the Metis Nation-Saskatchewan taking out place among the leading Indigenous governments in this country in protecting our constitutional rights and building a positive outcome and legac for our Metis citizens,” said MN-S president Glen McCallum.
The Wheeler River Project is scheduled for public hearings from the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission in Saskatoon from December 8-11.
(TOP PHOTO – Metis Local Presidents from northern Saskatchewan listen to Denison Mines CEO David Cates speaking at an Impact Benefits Agreement signing event in Saskatoon. Photo by Joel Willick)