Mining Sustainability - First Nations Land Issues & Potential Impacts on the Mining Industry

In Canada, mining projects have proceeded for over a century with varied consideration of the First Nations treaty rights and land stewardship issues. Increased assertion of treaty rights and traditional land use rights by First Nations can profoundly impact on how the mining industry will explore, develop and close out mineral resources found on these lands. The mining industry will need to consider aboriginal needs, beliefs, and way of life as part of its business planning. The mining industry's temporary use of the land conflicts with the long-term land stewardship viewpoint of the aboriginals. The concept of mining sustainability and its application to First Nation lands will have to be embraced by the mining community to maintain good relations and possibly access to these lands. Working cooperatively will provide benefits for both First Nations and the mining industry. This paper will discuss how the mining industry could potentially be affected by increasingly strong assertion of treaty rights and land stewardship concerns and how changes in mining practices could provide the sustainability needed for both First Nations and the industry; in general this paper references Ontario experience.