Joint ventures point the way: aboriginal firm takes charge of camp security.

AuthorRoss, Ian
PositionMINING

The construction of New Gold's Rainy River Mine is proving to be a huge economic boon in business spinoffs for the entire Rainy River district.

But as with all mineral developments, it has a finite mine life -14 years at last count Training and building businesses for today and tomorrow is on the collective minds of three northwestern Ontario First Nation bands.

And one Aboriginally owned business venture is offering safety and security in more ways than one.

Synterra Security Solutions LP is a joint venture partnership launched in 2011 between Canadian Securities Management (CSM) and the First Nation communities of Wunnumin Lake, Kingfisher Lake and Naicatchewenin.

Building capacity is important for when the mineral resources do dry up, insists Tony Marinaro, director of business operations for the Naicatchewenin Development Corporation.

We have to do it now while they're here because once the gold is gone, everybody moves on and we're still here. We have to make sure we're preparing ourselves for the next opportunity that comes.

Along with Rainy River First Nations, Naicatchewenin First Nation is a signatory to an impact and benefits agreement signed with New Gold in 2014, but negotiations for Aboriginal participation in the project began well before then.

The IBA provides financial compensation, training and job opportunities to First Nations for impacts the mining project has on their traditional territory where the project is located, about 65 kilometres northwest of Fort Frances.

"It's in everybody's best interests if First Nations are involved," said Marinaro.

It takes away some of the political risk for the companies and gets them involved.

In its short history, Synterra secured a contract at Goldcorp's Musselwhite Mine, north of Pickle Lake, where they have eight full- and part-timers on the job, while 26 work at New Gold's mine site and its accommodations camp.

New Gold's project went from advanced exploration to construction last summer. July 2017 is the target date for gold production to begin.

About 30 per cent of Synterra's workforce is Aboriginal.

Marinaro finds the best way for First Nations to truly benefit from resource development on their traditional lands is to identify gaps that need to be filled in sectors like mining, then strike partnerships with experts in various fields.

How do you participate in the local economy? You've got to bring something to the table.

Working with First Nations has been a rewarding...

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