Canada Nickel, Ontario First Nations sign deal to advance Crawford

Canada Nickel Company and the Matachewan and Mattagami First Nations signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) in relation to exploration and development operations at the Crawford nickel-cobalt sulphide project in Ontario. In a press release, the parties involved explained that the MOU establishes a commitment by Canada Nickel to engage in ongoing consultation and establish a mutually beneficial co-operative and productive relationship with the First Nations located in the project area. “From the very beginning, our approach has been to work with First Nations and local stakeholders as partners in order to create shared value through economic opportunities, while also being respectful and responsible stewards of the natural environment,” Mark Selby, the mining company CEO, said in the media brief. “Canada Nickel acknowledges Matachewan and Mattagami First Nations in their commitment to protect and enhance the land and resource-based economy within their traditional territory. We welcome their constructive approach and their support of our efforts to move forward on the development, permitting and construction of the project.” The Crawford project is located in the heart of the Timmins-Cochrane mining camp. At this site, Canada Nickel plans to develop a zero-carbon operation that produces nickel, cobalt, and iron using the technology of its wholly-owned subsidiary NetZero Metals. This story first appeared on www.MINING.com.