Northern Manitoba First Nation says deal with mining company Alamos is golden opportunity

A northern Manitoba First Nation hopes to reap the benefits of a golden opportunity aftersigning a deal with a Canadian mining company.

Marcel Colomb First Nation officially signed what's called an impact benefit agreement on Wednesday with Alamos Gold Inc. on the Lynn Lake gold project a gold mining project that consists of five near-surface deposits that are in the traditional territory of Marcel Colomb, according to Alamos Gold's website.

The historic agreement will provide socio-economic benefits for the long term future of Marcel Colomb First Nation, a band of Swampy Cree and Rocky Cree people located in the area of Lynn Lake, ChiefChristopher Colomb stated in a news release.

It means the mining company and the First Nation will share revenues while also collaboratingon economic development, jobs, training and environmental stewardship of the gold mining project.

"It's an opportunity for us. It's something that we've never had, ever,"DonMcCallum, a member of the Marcel Colomb band council, told CBC News on Thursday.

In the past, governments would havegranted mineral claims without Indigenous consent, but theynow have the obligation to consult with the First Nations when mines are on traditional land, said McCallum.

"And we have the opportunity to monitor what they doto make sure that the lands that are going to be impacted, and our First Nation, is not severely mismanaged,"McCallumsaid.

"This is a path to reconciliation, a new form of co-operation between the First Nations and mining industry."

Alamos acquired the gold project in 2016 but only recently received key approvals from the federal and provincial governments.

The signing ceremony was held at Marcel Colomb, which is about 200 kilometres northwest of Thompson and about 800 kilometres northwest of Winnipeg.

About 400 people liveon the reserve, which has been in the process of building units and bringing people back from the nearby community of Lynn Lake.

Just two years ago, the reserve hadonly 14 residences accommodating 110 people,McCallumsaid.

Sincethen, 40 more units have been built and some 300 people have moved back. The revenue-sharing agreement with Alamos will enable the First Nation to continue to build on its housing stock,McCallumsaid.

Alamos also operates two mines in northern Ontario and anotherin Mexico. In its news release about the Lynn Lake project, Alamos saidthe Lynn Lake project will help boost the company's annual production to approximately 800,000 ounces or more than 20 tonnes of gold per year.