HARDROCK PROJECT CONSULTATION PLAN for Long Lake #58 First Nation

Transcription

1 GREENSTONE GOLD MINES GP INC HARDROCK PROJECT CONSULTATION PLAN for Long Lake #58 First Nation LONG LAKE #58 FIRST NATION JANUARY 2016

2 Contents Section Page 1. Introduction Project Background Community Contact Identification Consultation Objectives Ongoing Consultation Access to Project Information & Obtaining Community Input Enhanced Engagement Third-Party Reviews Traditional Land Use and Knowledge Gathering Community Environmental Monitor Documentation and Feed Back Summary Appendix A Project Map iii

3 SECTION 1 Introduction 1.1 Project Background Greenstone Gold Mines GP Inc. (GGM, the Proponent) proposes the construction, operation, decommissioning, and closure of an open pit gold mine and associated ancillary activities, collectively known as the Hardrock Project (the Project). The Project is located in the Municipality of Greenstone, Ontario, in the Ward of Geraldton, at the intersection of Highway 11 and Michael Power Boulevard. The property is a brownfield site that was actively mined from the 1930s to the1970s and in later years was known as the MacLeod-Mosher complex. The Project proposed by GGM includes a main open pit and a satellite pit, ore processing facilities including crushing plants and ore milling and processing plant, waste rock storage areas, tailings management facility, and other associated infrastructure and processes. Long Lake #58 First Nation has constitutionally-protected Treaty rights and asserts Aboriginal rights in connection with the lands on which the proposed gold mine will be built. Long Lake #58 First Nation asserts that its people have lived in their Traditional Territory since time immemorial, practicing their ways and living according to their laws and culture as a self-defined people. In addition to Aboriginal title, Long Lake #58 First Nation s asserted rights in its Reserve and Traditional Territory include the rights to hunt, fish and trap, to harvest plants for food and medicines and to pursue a variety of traditional livelihoods, to protect and honour burial sites and other sacred and culturally important sites, to sustain and strengthen its spiritual and cultural connection to the land, to protect the biophysical environment that supports its survival, to govern itself, and to participate in all governance and operational decisions about how the land and resources will be managed, used, and protected. The Hardrock Project Consultation Plan for Long Lake #58 First Nation (the Consultation Plan ) describes how GGM intends to: Learn about and identify existing or asserted Aboriginal rights or treaty rights that may be adversely impacted by the Project Learn about and identify community concerns and interests ( Concerns and Interests ) in relation to the potential effects of the Project Consider community comments, Concerns and Interests and how they may be addressed in the environmental assessment Communicate its plans, timelines and milestones for the Project Explain the technical aspects and potential effects of the Project Identify and develop strategies to avoid or minimize or otherwise address potential effects of the Project based on community comments, Concerns and Interests Identify and develop strategies to avoid or minimize and otherwise address potential adverse impacts of the Project on a community s existing or asserted Aboriginal rights or treaty rights ( Relevant Impacts ) GGM understands that while the Crown is ultimately responsible for ensuring that the duty to consult with Aboriginal groups is satisfied, certain procedural aspects of consultation may be delegated to GGM. 2-1

4 SECTION 1 INTRODUCTION This Consultation Plan has been developed to meet: GGM s objectives regarding Aboriginal engagement GGM s current understanding of the Aboriginal consultation requirements of federal and provincial regulators as part of the environmental assessment of the proposed Project Responses and commitments GGM made to the Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change ( MOECC ) (March 30, 2015) in response to Long Lake #58 First Nation s submission on the Final Terms of Reference The consultation obligations delegated by the Crown to GGM through the Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change (MOECC) letter of November 7, 2014, and the approved Terms of Reference dated June 24, 2015 Specific consultation approaches will be flexible and depend on communications with Long Lake #58 First Nation and may change over time. In particular, GGM acknowledges the existence of, and will have regard to the content of the Long Lake #58 First Nation s Engagement and Accommodation Protocol dated July Nothing in this Consultation Plan nor the process or documents derived from it shall be construed so as to abrogate or derogate from Long Lake #58 First Nation rights. Nothing in this Consultation Plan shall be construed so as to limit any consultation or accommodation obligations owed to Long Lake #58 First Nation by the Crown. 1.2 Community Contact Identification The following have been identified as the community contacts for communication regarding this Consultation Plan: John O'Nabigon, Councillor, Consultation & Development, Protocol Coordinator Frank O'Nabigon, Councillor Henry Waboose, Councillor, Band Manager Wayne Greer, Third Party Consultant ABN Mike Hensel, Third Party Consultant Hensel 2-2

5 SECTION 2 Consultation Objectives Aboriginal consultation for the Hardrock Project will be guided by GGM s principles and the guiding principles of the Code of Practice for Consultation in Ontario s Environmental Assessment Process (2014), and the approved Terms of Reference for the Project. The goals of GGM s consultation program are to: Continue to build and maintain positive long-term relationships with Aboriginal groups potentially affected by the Project. Develop timely, honest and accurate information to allow for informed, effective and meaningful consultation with communities. Provide opportunities such that Aboriginal community input and concerns are gathered, understood and integrated into Project design and execution as appropriate. Inform Aboriginal communities on how their participation has and will continue to influence the environmental assessment and Project planning. Support the participation of Long Lake #58 First Nation in the environmental assessment process. Document how concerns and issues with respect to potential effects related to Aboriginal communities are addressed in the environmental assessment where possible. Aboriginal consultation activities are integrated with the other aspects of Project development.. 2-1

6 SECTION 3 Ongoing Consultation Long Lake #58 First Nation was formally notified of the environmental assessment commencement following approval of the Terms of Reference. Initial consultation activities included opportunities to provide input to the development of the Terms of Reference, review of baseline environmental information, notifying Long Lake #58 First Nation about the approved Terms of Reference and an invitation to review and comment on project related materials. GGM will continue its on-going consultation program in coordination with Long Lake #58 First Nation to help shape decisions throughout the environmental assessment process including the following amendments specified in the Terms of Reference: The development of the methodology, evaluation and results of baseline studies The development of the evaluation methodology for the assessment of alternatives and the preferred undertaking The conclusion of assessment and evaluation of alternatives including the identification of potential Relevant Impacts and the development of appropriate mitigation and management measures (Appropriate Measures) The assessment and evaluation of the preferred undertaking including the development of Appropriate Measures The conclusion of the assessment and evaluation of the preferred undertaking including identification of potential Relevant Impacts and Appropriate Measures GGM will incorporate language in the draft environmental assessment that reflects GGM s commitment to ongoing consultation throughout the environment assessment process on these key topics. Throughout the Project, GGM will share Project information and seek input from Long Lake #58 First Nation to develop a greater understanding of their potential Concerns and Interests in the Project and any Relevant Impacts. This input will be considered, addressed or incorporated, where shared and applicable, into the environmental assessment and other regulatory documents. Throughout the Project, GGM will consider any Traditional Land Use and Knowledge ( TLUK ) about the Project area that may be shared by Long Lake #58 First Nation. Where consent is provided by Long Lake #58 First Nation, TLUK information about the Project area that is shared with GGM will be considered, incorporated or addressed where applicable, in the environmental assessment and Project. 3.1 Access to Project Information & Obtaining Community Input GGM will continue to make relevant Project information available to Long Lake #58 First Nation in a timely manner as it becomes available, allowing for meaningful discussion about the Project. GGM will continue to consult with Long Lake #58 First Nation on the expected steps of the environmental assessment process and important milestones throughout the environmental assessment. GGM and Long Lake #58 First Nation will work collaboratively with the goal of maintaining the project and EA schedule. 3-1

7 SECTION 3 ONGOING CONSULTATION GGM will advertise the following Notices in local newspapers (general distribution and Aboriginal newsletters where available), through radio announcements and on the Project website: Notice of Commencement Notices of Public Open Houses and Community Meetings, if appropriate Notice of Submission Throughout the Project, GGM will share Project information and seek input from Long Lake #58 First Nation to develop a greater understanding of potential Concerns and Interests. This input will be considered and incorporated, where reasonably possible, into the environmental assessment and other regulatory documents. GGM has and will continue to provide ongoing access to Project information and updates, and gather community input as follows: Community Meetings/Open Houses GGM will continue to host and/or attend community organized Open Houses to share project information and updates. Off-reserve members will also be invited to public meetings that may be held in Thunder Bay Plain Language Summaries GGM will circulate plain language summaries of technical documents (as appropriate) in order to ensure that feedback can be received by non-technical reviewers General Meetings/Presentation GGM will continue to undertake face-to-face meetings/presentations with communities and/or Chief and Council, as appropriate, through the EA process Newsletter GGM will continue to develop Hardrock Herald Newsletters at key milestones, to be circulated electronically and made available on the Project website Project Website GGM will continue to maintain a Project website throughout the duration of the undertaking. Additionally, social media may be considered to provide information regarding the undertaking. GGM will develop a project ftp site or equivalent for EA related material Site Tours/One-on-One Meetings/Presentations/ s/Phone Conversations GGM may consider interacting with Long Lake #58 First Nation through one or more of these methods, as appropriate and as required throughout the EA process. GGM will continue to work with independent technical consultants to address comments Circulation of Draft Documents GGM will circulate the draft provincial environmental assessment to Long Lake #58 First Nation for review and comment. (collectively, Information Sharing Opportunities ) With respect to communication with Long Lake #58 First Nation, GGM will circulate information related to the EA in accordance with the following distribution protocol: Communication to Long Lake #58 First Nation on non-legal matters to include the Chief and nominated Councillors, Advisors and technical/ea consultants Communications to Long Lake #58 First Nation on legal matters will include Long Lake #58 First Nation s legal counsel together with the above GGM s point of contact on the EA for correspondence sent from Long Lake #58 First Nation is GGM s Director, Environment and Community Relations. Legal correspondence from Long Lake #58 shall be sent to GGM s legal counsel. Through the Information Sharing Opportunities, GGM will gather Concerns and Interests and potential Relevant Impacts raised by Long Lake #58 First Nation and develop Appropriate Measures. 3-2

8 SECTION 3 ONGOING CONSULTATION The MOECC has identified that Long Lake #58 First Nation] is an Aboriginal community as having a known or asserted treaty right that may be impacted by the project. GGM will consult Long Lake #58 First Nation through Enhanced Engagement activities including the following: access to third party reviews of environmental assessment studies, engagement of a community environmental monitor and capacity for TLUK studies. 3.2 Enhanced Engagement Third-Party Reviews Data collection for the social, economic, health and heritage components of the environmental assessment have taken place and continue to take place during the activities conducted in conjunction with specific Project disciplines, thereby providing GGM and Long Lake #58 First Nation the opportunity to discuss potential effects and related avoidance and mitigation measures to inform the environmental impact assessment. GGM is committed to providing plain language summaries of key studies to Long Lake #58 First Nation. In addition, GGM will provide an opportunity for Long Lake #58 First Nation to access third party reviews of GGM environmental assessment studies, including where agreed to by the Aboriginal community, access to peer review studies conducted on behalf of other impacted Aboriginal communities Traditional Land Use and Knowledge Gathering GGM will provide an opportunity for Long Lake #58 First Nation to gather information about Traditional Land Use and Knowledge (TLUK) about the Project area. Where TLUK information is made available and Long Lake #58 First Nation provides consent, GGM will consider, incorporate or refer to the TLUK in its environmental assessment and Project. Where TLUK is shared following the EA, GGM will remain open to receiving and incorporating applicable TLUK for the Project Community Environmental Monitor GGM will continue to provide an opportunity for Long Lake #58 First Nation to engage a community Environmental Monitor to supplement bio-physical field teams while collecting environmental baseline information. The Environmental Monitor acts as the community s eyes and ears on-site. The Environmental Monitor solicits and recruits community participation in engagement activities in a manner that supports the needs of the community. The Environmental Monitor also communicates environmental findings to community leadership for consideration and the information is used by GGM to develop avoidance and mitigation measures and environmental protection plans and decisions. The Environmental Monitor role will continue as additional environmental information is collected to support project permitting and as baseline studies transition to monitoring programs for the Project. 3.3 Documentation and Feed Back Throughout the consultation process, consultation results will be documented to ensure that key issues Concerns and Interests are recorded and responses are completed in order to determine their level of satisfaction. GGM will discuss with Long Lake #58 First Nation how its issues, Concerns and Interests and identified Relevant Impacts are considered, addressed or incorporated in the environmental assessment of the Project. 3-3

9 SECTION 3 ONGOING CONSULTATION GGM will continue to keep records of formal communications and correspondence and will provide communication logs that support agreed upon measures. This information will be available to contribute to identifying adverse impacts and effects, and to support a dialogue about Appropriate Measures throughout the environmental assessment. 3-4

10 SECTION 4 Summary Implementation of the Consultation Plan for the Hardrock Project will evolve as the Project team continues to engage with Long Lake #58 First Nation through the environmental assessment and beyond. The GGM team will continue to engage in an open and transparent manner reporting back to communities on what is heard and considering, addressing or incorporating the input into the environmental assessment and Project design, where applicable. This ongoing consultation is undertaken with a view to informing the Project and avoiding, minimizing or mitigating Relevant Impacts, as applicable. This Consultation Plan will provide opportunities for Long Lake #58 First Nation and GGM to undertake open and transparent dialogue throughout the environmental assessment. 4-1

11 Appendix A Project Map

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