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.
