Indigenous Consultation in Mining : 
Lexpert Special Edition

Sharon Singh comments in Lexpert's special edition on Energy and Mining on the key aspects of developing and sustaining strong relationships with Indigenous communities in mining projects.

She says that:

• for clients operating in British Columbia, Alberta and Saskatchewan, protecting species at risk is a “perennial” issue for project proponents;
• the amount of certainty the agreements create is contingent on the extent to which all the partners in the relationship are happy, as opposed to the “paper it’s written on";
• whatever the financial components of any agreement, constant communication and an eye toward the “real benefits” the First Nation derives from the agreement are necessary;
• she has recently seen more “set-asides” in impact benefit agreements, which require the mining company to contract with First Nation-based service providers for various aspects of the project.