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NioBay Metals Inc.
TSX VENTURE : NBY
November 16, 2017 14:59 ET
NioBay Reports Initial Resource Estimate for Its James Bay Niobium Project
MONTREAL, QUEBEC--(Marketwired - Nov. 16, 2017) - Niobay Metals Inc. ("NioBay" or the "Company") (TSX VENTURE:NBY) is pleased to report an initial Mineral Resource estimate for its 100% owned James Bay Niobium Project located approximately 40 kilometers south of Moosonee, Northern Ontario, prepared in accordance with Canadian National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101"). The Mineral Resource estimate was prepared by Roscoe Postle Associates Inc. ("RPA") following a successful re-logging and re-sampling program of representative historical diamond drill holes conducted by NioBay. The effective date of the estimate is November 8, 2017 and the supporting NI 43-101 technical report will be filed on SEDAR by December 31, 2017.
Highlights of the NI 43-101 Mineral Resource Estimate
Classification
Tonnes
(Mt)
Grade
(%Nb2O5)
Contained Nb2O5
(Mkg)
Indicated
23.1
0.53
123
Inferred
23.0
0.51
118
Notes:
CIM (2014) Definitions Standards were followed for Mineral Resources.
Mineral Resources are reported at a cut-off grade of 0.3% Nb2O5 based on an underground mining operating cost of C$70/tonne and a metallurgical recovery of 70%.
Mineral Resources are estimated using a long-term niobium price of US$40 per kg and a US$/C$ exchange rate of 1:1.2.
A tonnage factor of 12.2 ft3/ton (2.93 g/cm3) was used.
A minimum mining width of approximately 25 ft (7.6m) was used to build the resource wireframes.
Resources situated in a 150 ft (45.7m) thick crown pillar have been excluded
The RPA Qualified Persons for the estimate are Dorota El Rassi, P.Eng. and Paul Chamois, P.Geo.
RPA has excluded approximately 6.4 million tonnes averaging 0.52% Nb2O5 situated in the crown pillar.
The Mineral Resources estimate is supported by the results from the recent re-logging and re-sampling of 12 representative historical diamond drill holes, by preliminary metallurgical testing performed by SGS Lakefield on a composite sample and by all of the historical data Niobay recovered from the previous operator: drill logs, assay certificates, surveyed collar coordinates, interpreted geological surface and level plans, interpreted vertical sections, location of the exploration shaft and 1st level, and metallurgical tests.
The data used to estimate the Mineral Resource include 79 diamond drill holes totaling 13,230 m located within the resource model area. The data include 2,517 assays, of which 56 have a value of zero for Nb2O5. The estimate was prepared using a block model constrained with 3-D wireframes of the mineralized zone. The niobium oxide grades were interpolated using ordinary kriging and three passes.
The sensitivity of Indicated and Inferred Mineral Resources to variations in cut-off grade is represented in the table below.
Indicated
Inferred
Cut-off
(%Nb2O5)
Tonnes
(Mt)
Grade
(%Nb2O5)
Contained
Nb2O5
(Mkg)
Cut-off
(%Nb2O5)
Tonnes
(Mt)
Grade
(%Nb2O5)
Contained
Nb2O5
(Mkg)
0.0
24.0
0.52
125
0.0
23.9
0.50
120
0.1
24.0
0.52
125
0.1
23.9
0.50
120
0.2
24.0
0.52
125
0.2
23.8
0.50
120
0.3
23.1
0.53
123
0.3
23.0
0.51
118
0.4
19.1
0.57
109
0.4
19.0
0.54
104
0.5
12.2
0.64
78
0.5
11.3
0.61
69
0.6
6.2
0.72
45
0.6
4.9
0.68
34
Claude Dufresne, president and chief executive officer, comments: " We are pleased to report that the mineral resource estimate prepared by RPA is in-line with the historical resource estimate performed on the deposit in 1967 by the previous owner."
In concluding remarks regarding the project, RPA stated:
"Historical diamond drilling has outlined mineralization with three-dimensional continuity, and size and grades that can potentially be extracted economically."
"... there is excellent exploration potential to increase the Mineral Resource at depth with more diamond drilling. .."
" ... additional exploration and technical studies are warranted."
RPA recommends a next phase program including 4,000 m focussed on upgrading portions of the Inferred Resources to Indicated Resources and extending the Mineral Resources at depth, as well as environmental, engineering and metallurgical studies required to support a Preliminary Economic Assessment.
Jacquelin Gauthier, P.Geo., P.Eng., consultant to the Company, acted as the Qualified Person as defined in National Instrument 43-101. He reviewed and approved the technical and scientific content of this press release. RPA's Qualified Persons for the mineral resource estimate are Dorota El Rassi, P.Eng. and Paul Chamois, P.Geo. They have reviewed and approved the above technical and scientific content of this press release related to the mineral resource estimate.
About NioBay Metals Inc.
NioBay Metals Inc. is a mining exploration company holding a 100% interest in the James Bay Niobium property in Ontario, Canada. In addition NioBay holds an option to acquire an interest of up to 65% in the La Peltrie gold project in northern Quebec, a 46.9% direct participation in certain mineral titles located in the Chibougamau region, Quebec, under a joint venture agreement with SOQUEM, and a 72.5% interest in the Crevier niobium and tantalum project, located in Quebec.
Cautionary Statement
Certain statements contained in this press release constitute forward looking information under the provisions of Canadian securities laws. Such statements include, without limitation, the statements regarding the resource estimate, potential extension of the mineralization, exploration results, and completion of work program, assessments and studies. Such statements are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results and future events to differ materially from those anticipated or projected. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove accurate.
Mineral Resources are not Mineral Reserves and do not have demonstrated economic viability. There is no certainty that all or any part of Mineral Resources will be converted to Mineral Reserves. Inferred Mineral Resources are based on limited drilling which suggests the greatest uncertainty for a resource estimate and that geological continuity is only implied. Additional drilling will be required to verify geological and mineralization continuity and there is no certainty that all of the Inferred Resources will be converted to Measured and Indicated Resources. There is no certainty that Niobay will obtain the necessary permits and have the required funds to conduct required drilling program and studies. An application for an exploration permit on the James Bay Niobium Project was filed with the Ministry of Northern Development and Mines of Ontario ("MNDM") in October 2016 and has been placed on temporary hold. The Company continues to reach out to all concerned stakeholders in the area of the James Bay Niobium Project while the MNDM is pursuing efforts to engage with the Moose Cree First Nation to address any concerns they may have about the proposed drilling campaign.
Many other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from Niobay's expectations are disclosed in the Company's documents filed from time to time with the securities regulators and available at www.sedar.com. The Company does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update these forward-looking statements and information, except as required by law.
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
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Contact Information
Claude Dufresne, P.Eng.
President & CEO
NioBay Metals Inc.
514 866-6500, Ext. 2221
cdufresne@niobaymetals.com
www.niobaymetals.com
NEWS ON FACEBOOK:
Niobay Metals Inc.
November 17 at 4:13pm ·
www.marketwired.com/press-release/-2241066.htm
We are pleased to provide an update on the James Bay Niobium project. We are looking forward being able to drill the deposit!
NioBay Reports Initial Resource Estimate for Its James Bay Niobium Project
MONTREAL, QUEBEC--(Marketwired - Nov. 16, 2017) - Niobay Metals Inc. ("NioBay" or the "Company") (TSX VENTURE:NBY) is pleased to report an initial Mineral Resource estimate for its 100% owned James Bay Niobium Project located approximately 40 kilometers south of Moosonee, Northern Ontario, prepared…
marketwired.com
IMFORMATION PHOTOS
https://niobaymetals.com/wp/en/james-bay/
MEETING NOV 1, 2017-
UNDERSTANDING THE VALUE, COMPARING, WITH EDUCATED RESULTS CAN BE GOOD FOR THE MOOSE CREE FIRST NATIONS PEOPLE, FORMING AN OPINION FROM OTHERS IS UNFAIR, LOOK AT THE FACTS, FACTS COULD ACTUALLY IMPROVE AND MAKE THE SITUATION BETTER, FINE OUT AS INDIVIDUALS FOR YOURSELVES, ASK QUESTIONS? ..
June 5, 2017
Hon. Kathleen Wynne
Premier
Legislative Bldg Rm 281
Queen’s Park
Toronto, ON M7A 1A1
Fax: (416)325-9895
Dear Premier Wynne,
Re: Refrain from Issuing a Drilling Permit & Work with Moose Cree First Nation to Permanently Protect the North French River and South Bluff Creek
We support the right of a community to say NO to mineral exploration and mining projects that threaten the health of people and ecosystems in Ontario, Canada. We support the Treaty, inherent and international rights of Indigenous Peoples to protect their lands and water.
It has come to our attention that Ontario is about to decide on the James Bay Niobium Project (drilling) Exploration Permit Application PR-6-10977 on the South Bluff Creek Watershed, located in the Moose Cree Homeland in the Boreal Forest. In 2003, the community rejected drilling activities here and reiterated its position to Ontario in 2016 and again a few weeks ago. Its go-ahead would violate the community’s laws and protection plans for the North French River and South Bluff Creek.
We, therefore, call on the Ontario government to refrain from issuing the exploration permit PR-6-10977 and work with Moose Cree First Nation to make sure these lands and waters are permanently protected.
The North French River and the South Bluff Creek, a tributary that flows across the Moose Cree First Nation Reserve #68 located in the heart of the Moose Cree Homeland, are environmentally and culturally important to guarantee the survival of the Moose Cree people and are important to us all. The North French is one of the last sources of clean drinking water for this part of the province. Both these areas provide critical habitat for threatened boreal caribou, migratory birds and aquatic species. And both have wetlands which act as a giant carbon sink that will need to be maintained as part of the world’s plans to meet ambitious targets from the historic Paris agreement to combat climate change.
Working with Moose Cree to permanently protect the North French River and South Bluff Creek is also consistent with Ontario’s participation, along with other Provinces and Territories, in the Pathways to Target 1 process for meeting our international obligations under the Convention on Biological Diversity to protect 17% of lands and freshwater by 2020 (Ontario is currently at 10.3%) and with meeting requirements for critical habitat protection under Canada’s Species at Risk Act for boreal caribou.
Finally, it would be a sign of good faith as we all need to travel on the road to reconciliation together.
Sincerely,
Anna Baggio
Director Conservation Planning
CPAWS Wildlands League
Stephen Hazell
Director of Conservation and General Counsel
Nature Canada
Jennifer Wabano
Omushkegowuk Women’s Water Council
Ugo Lapointe
Canadian Program Coordinator
MiningWatch Canada
Bev Sellars
Chair
FNWARM (First Nations Women Advocating Responsible Mining)
Lane Nothman
Managing Director
Boreal Songbird Initiative
Dr. Faisal Moola
Director General
Ontario and Northern Canada
David Suzuki Foundation
Anthony Swift
Canada Project Director
Natural Resources Defense Council
Dr. Anne Bell
Director of Conservation and Education
Ontario Nature
Shane Moffatt
Head of Forest Campaign
Greenpeace Canada
Amber Ellis
Executive Director
Earthroots
Susan Bonfield
Executive Director
Environment for the Americas
Cc: Honourable Catherine McKenna, Minister of Environment and Climate Change Canada
Honourable David Zimmer, Ontario Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation
David deLaunay, Deputy Minister, Ontario Ministry of Northern Development and Mines
Desmond O’Connor, Director of Exploration, Ontario Ministry of Northern Development and Mines
SOSOUTH AMERICA, NIOBIUM:
Niobium: The Critical Strategic Metal That's Only Mined Two Places On Earth
Dustin Moore
Dec. 10, 2010, 5:04 PM 17,549
Investor interest in rare earth elements (REE) has exploded as of late, and for good reason. China controls up to 97% of the world supply of REEs, which are essential for use in modern technology. Prices are soaring as China slashes export quotas and shows a willingness to use these materials as a political tool. Alarmed governments throughout the world are increasingly concerned about securing more reliable sources of critical materials for strategic and security purposes. But there are other rare minerals, outside of REEs, which are also crucial to economic and national security. Niobium, for example, is among the most critical, but has received little publicity.
That is quickly changing.
WikiLeaks recently released a governmental list of 300 key foreign infrastructures and resources that are vital to U.S. interests. One item that came up multiple times was Niobium.
Yet Niobium is not commonly known in the investment world. It is an element, a rare metal with anticorrosive properties. The demand and price for Niobium has increased dramatically over the past decade. It has a growing amount of applications, from computer screens and camera lenses to automobiles and railroad tracks. It is a strong metal, highly resistant to heat and wear, which is why gas pipelines must contain niobium. But its primary use is a steel hardener. Much of the imported Niobium goes toward the creation of superalloys for use in the aerospace industry and for military applications such as missiles and jets.
Due to its relevance in aerospace and defense, Niobium is considered a “strategic metal” by the U.S. government, meaning there are few or no substitutes for the metal’s essential use. Furthermore, of all strategic metals, Niobium is regarded as one of the most highly critical. But its supplies are considered potentially at risk. This is because only a few sources throughout the world produce the metal. Almost 90% of the world supply comes from Brazil. Nearly all of that comes from only one mine. Most of the rest comes from the Canadian Niobec Mine, owned by IAMGOLD (NYSE: IAG).
Despite the significance of Niobium, the U.S is completely dependent on imports. But Peter Dickie, CEO of Quantum Rare Earth Developments Corp (TSX.V: QRE.V and OTC: QREDF.PK), plans to change all that and snag a share of the industry’s hefty profits. His company recently acquired mineral rights to the Elk Creek Carbonatite, a large, seven kilometer-wide circular structure under the plains of southeast Nebraska. Elk Creek is a complex of carbonate materials hosting significant amounts of niobium and rare earths. The U.S. Geological Survey concluded that it “…has the potential to be one of the largest global sources of niobium and rare-earth elements (REE’s).”
The Elk Creek Carbonatite was actually drill tested in the 1970’s and 1980’s by Molycorp (NYSE: MCP). Although the project was seen as a big moneymaker (even at 1980’s metal prices), financial constraints forced the company to cut the project and focus on a mine called Mountain Pass, which is a world-class mineral deposit that ended up supplying most of the world’s rare earth for a time. Although Elk Creek was largely forgotten, for Dickie, acquiring the rights came down to being at the right place at the right time. Luckily for him, the data is still available from the 110 test holes Molycorp drilled. “The records are in phenomenal shape,” says Dickie. Results show that 40 million tons of high grade Niobium lie at Elk Creek. The data also reveals very significant intercepts of recoverable rare earth elements.
And there is plenty of profit to be made in the Niobium industry. The world’s largest mine in Brazil rakes in a $1 billion profit annually. IAMGOLD’s Niobec mine accounts for a large portion of that company’s bottom line. It also has an attractive operating margin nearing 40%, which pulls in about $19-$21 per kilogram produced. “The Elk Creek Carbonatite is structured quite similarly to Niobec,” notes Dickie. “The main difference is that Elk Creek is larger and is a higher grade.” Dickie plans on leveraging this higher quality Niobium and the proximity to U.S. markets to grab a significant portion of the domestic market.
“Niobium is necessary for the economic and national security of the country,” Dickie points out. Yet there are only a few sources of the material. And that clearly has Uncle Sam worried. The House of Representatives recently passed the Rare Earths and Critical Materials Revitalization Act, with broad support, by a vote of 324 to 92. The bill aims to enhance competition by supporting the domestic production of strategic materials—including niobium. Although it may be awhile before mining begins, Dickie hopes the "far-reaching" bill will help boost the development of Elk Creek.
Washington recognizes the value of Niobium and wants to secure domestic sources. This has Dickie excited. “We currently have the only potential domestic source of Niobium,” he said. On top of this, it is one of largest in the world. “Some of the projects I’ve been involved with in the past initially looked extremely positive, but had lots of ‘if’s,” says Dickie. “This one doesn’t have the ‘if’s.'"
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NIOBIUM , WHERE ELSE?
Niobium: The Critical Strategic Metal That's Only Mined Two Places On Earth
Dustin Moore
Dec. 10, 2010, 5:04 PM 17,202
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Investor interest in rare earth elements (REE) has exploded as of late, and for good reason. China controls up to 97% of the world supply of REEs, which are essential for use in modern technology. Prices are soaring as China slashes export quotas and shows a willingness to use these materials as a political tool. Alarmed governments throughout the world are increasingly concerned about securing more reliable sources of critical materials for strategic and security purposes. But there are other rare minerals, outside of REEs, which are also crucial to economic and national security. Niobium, for example, is among the most critical, but has received little publicity.
That is quickly changing.
WikiLeaks recently released a governmental list of 300 key foreign infrastructures and resources that are vital to U.S. interests. One item that came up multiple times was Niobium.
Yet Niobium is not commonly known in the investment world. It is an element, a rare metal with anticorrosive properties. The demand and price for Niobium has increased dramatically over the past decade. It has a growing amount of applications, from computer screens and camera lenses to automobiles and railroad tracks. It is a strong metal, highly resistant to heat and wear, which is why gas pipelines must contain niobium. But its primary use is a steel hardener. Much of the imported Niobium goes toward the creation of superalloys for use in the aerospace industry and for military applications such as missiles and jets.
Due to its relevance in aerospace and defense, Niobium is considered a “strategic metal” by the U.S. government, meaning there are few or no substitutes for the metal’s essential use. Furthermore, of all strategic metals, Niobium is regarded as one of the most highly critical. But its supplies are considered potentially at risk. This is because only a few sources throughout the world produce the metal. Almost 90% of the world supply comes from Brazil. Nearly all of that comes from only one mine. Most of the rest comes from the Canadian Niobec Mine, owned by IAMGOLD (NYSE: IAG).
Despite the significance of Niobium, the U.S is completely dependent on imports. But Peter Dickie, CEO of Quantum Rare Earth Developments Corp (TSX.V: QRE.V and OTC: QREDF.PK), plans to change all that and snag a share of the industry’s hefty profits. His company recently acquired mineral rights to the Elk Creek Carbonatite, a large, seven kilometer-wide circular structure under the plains of southeast Nebraska. Elk Creek is a complex of carbonate materials hosting significant amounts of niobium and rare earths. The U.S. Geological Survey concluded that it “…has the potential to be one of the largest global sources of niobium and rare-earth elements (REE’s).”
The Elk Creek Carbonatite was actually drill tested in the 1970’s and 1980’s by Molycorp (NYSE: MCP). Although the project was seen as a big moneymaker (even at 1980’s metal prices), financial constraints forced the company to cut the project and focus on a mine called Mountain Pass, which is a world-class mineral deposit that ended up supplying most of the world’s rare earth for a time. Although Elk Creek was largely forgotten, for Dickie, acquiring the rights came down to being at the right place at the right time. Luckily for him, the data is still available from the 110 test holes Molycorp drilled. “The records are in phenomenal shape,” says Dickie. Results show that 40 million tons of high grade Niobium lie at Elk Creek. The data also reveals very significant intercepts of recoverable rare earth elements.
And there is plenty of profit to be made in the Niobium industry. The world’s largest mine in Brazil rakes in a $1 billion profit annually. IAMGOLD’s Niobec mine accounts for a large portion of that company’s bottom line. It also has an attractive operating margin nearing 40%, which pulls in about $19-$21 per kilogram produced. “The Elk Creek Carbonatite is structured quite similarly to Niobec,” notes Dickie. “The main difference is that Elk Creek is larger and is a higher grade.” Dickie plans on leveraging this higher quality Niobium and the proximity to U.S. markets to grab a significant portion of the domestic market.
“Niobium is necessary for the economic and national security of the country,” Dickie points out. Yet there are only a few sources of the material. And that clearly has Uncle Sam worried. The House of Representatives recently passed the Rare Earths and Critical Materials Revitalization Act, with broad support, by a vote of 324 to 92. The bill aims to enhance competition by supporting the domestic production of strategic materials—including niobium. Although it may be awhile before mining begins, Dickie hopes the "far-reaching" bill will help boost the development of Elk Creek.
Washington recognizes the value of Niobium and wants to secure domestic sources. This has Dickie excited. “We currently have the only potential domestic source of Niobium,” he said. On top of this, it is one of largest in the world. “Some of the projects I’ve been involved with in the past initially looked extremely positive, but had lots of ‘if’s,” says Dickie. “This one doesn’t have the ‘if’s.'"
OPENING A NEW NIOBUIM MINE , MOOSE CREE FIRST NATION, PROPERTY:
Opening New Mines
The Process of Mining REEs and other Strategic Elements
Overview
Opening a new mine is an expensive, time-intensive process. Most mines must operate for years to cover initial start-up costs; therefore, they are only opened after careful market analysis. In the case of the rare earth elements (REEs), there has only recently been a significant increase in REE usage, and the mining industry has not yet increased production to meet this demand. In order to meet demand for the next hundred years and beyond, the amount of REEs mined will need to increase significantly.
Though for all practical purposes these elements will never "run out," it will quickly become so expensive to produce them that the supply will be unable to meet consumer demand. There are two methods of countering this looming problem: reducing consumption and increasing supply. The recycling page and alternative technologies page explain solutions which will help reduce consumption, and we shall now look at solutions to increase supply by opening new mining operations.
New Mining Operations
Listed below are Mission 2016's recommendations for opening new mining operations in order of least to most pressing need.
Uranium and Thorium
Uranium is critical to the nuclear energy industry as a fuel for nuclear reactors, which provide 12.3 percent of the world's energy ("Nuclear energy around," 2012). Fortunately, provided that the world's current rate of exploration and mining will grow as it has in the past, there should be a stable supply of uranium and thorium for at least the next 80 years ("Supply of Uranium", 2012). However, this estimate does not take into account an increase in the global use of nuclear power, which would otherwise shorten the timeline for uranium to only about 60 years. We can meet the reduced supply first through recycling of uranium from critical element stockpiles (see the stockpiling page). Another method of reducing uranium consumption is incorporating thorium into nuclear reactors. Thorium-232 cannot be used alone because it is not fissile, but when mixed with uranium-235, it becomes fissionable uranium-233, which is then used to produce energy with significantly less waste than uranium reactors (see fissile elements supply and demand page) (Katusa, 2012). This incorporation is being done in only a small number of reactors around the world. Thorium is in relative abundance in rare earth mines and is three times more abundant in nature than uranium and does not require enrichment before being utilized (Katusa, 2012). Utilizing it to its fullest extent will maximize the lifespan of nuclear energy by allowing a more abundant, more efficient, and safer fuel to be utilized.
Platinum group elements
Provided that mining continues at its current rate, reserves of platinum group elements (PGEs) are sufficiently abundant and concentrated that they are not projected to run out in the near future. For example, the Bushfeld Complex in South Africa which provides over 70% of the world's PGE resources, has been predicted to have enough supply to satisfy global demands for up to a century (Mudd, 2012). Additionally, the annual production of platinum from this mine is only about 1.5% of available platinum for each 1 km of depth (Cawthorn, 2010). However, problems with supply may arise from the political and social conflicts in the mining regions, particularly in South Africa, which has 80% of the world's PGE reserves (see PGE Supply and Demand Page) ("South Africa's Mining Problems"). A recent two month strike in South Africa from September until November 2012 is an example of one of the major problems which causes an uncertain supply at one of the world's largest mines. Although 12,000 workers have been rehired after the illegal striking and violence, the CEO of South African company Anglo American Platinum, Inc. was forced to resign. Another consequence of the strikes is that Anglo American and its subsidiaries have started to look into opening mines in Zimbabwe, which has also faced economic as well as workers' rights problems in the mining industry (Els, 2012). Finally, the second largest supplier of PGEs is Russia. Although Russia's mines supply significantly less platinum than those in South Africa, their production of palladium is greater than those in South Africa. This is important because palladium is able to substitute platinum in most uses (United States Geological Survey, 2012). Therefore, despite the unstable situation of platinum production in South Africa, there will be enough PGEs to satisfy their demand.
Phosphorus
Like PGEs, phosphorus reserves are concentrated in only a few locations worldwide (see Locations of Deposits page). If we consider only the current rates of use, the existing reserves will be sufficient for more than a century, however, current rates of use are projected to grow (Vaccari, 2009). Since phosphorus is a major component of fertilizers, which will be neceassary to increase crop yield to feed the growing population, demand for phosphorus is expected to increase with population growth. The rate of phosphorus being mined and used is expected to increase so much that reserves might only last 50 years (Vaccari, 2009). This is not so much a mining problem as it is a problem with waste and overuse. The only real solution to a phosphorus shortage will come through increased recycling and use of alternative sources, such as animal waste (see Phosphorus Conservation Page) (Vaccari, 2009).
Rare Metals (Ta, Nb, Co, In, Ga, Zr, Li)
The main problems associated with the elements tantalum, niobium and cobalt are global conflicts and social factors rather than a lack of mines (see the human rights & developing countries page). Indium-free technologies are in the process of pushing indium out of the market (for instance OLED's would replace LCD's, which use indium). Gallium and zirconium are primarily limited by the cost of their production rather than a need for new mines (see the rare metals page). Lithium reserves will be sufficient for the next century, so long as advances in processing meet the rate of demand for finished products such as lithium-ion batteries, removal technology improves, and new deposits are exploited (Gruber, 2011).
Rare earth elements
REEs are truly the only subset of elements with members which are facing critical supply projections for the near future. Alarmingly, projections from the US Department of Energy forecast that reserves of dysprosium and neodymium may run out by 2015 (Lifton 2011).
As economic growth increases, devices which contain significant amounts of REEs (such as TVs, computers, cell phones and cars) will be in higher demand. The current rate of mineral exploration and mine opening may not be enough to keep up with this increased demand. Locations must be reinvestigated, reserves re-estimated, and new mines opened. As large mines like Molycorp's Mountain Pass and Lynas' Mt. Weld come online in the next year, demand for REEs may be met in the short term, especially for the more common elements like cerium. However, demand is still expected to rise at a higher rate than supply over the next decades (Gschneidner, 2011), so new mines will be needed in order to secure a stable supply of these materials. Another complication is the fact that China, which currently controls 97.0% of the heavy rare earth mining in the world (Hedrick, 2010), is in the process of reducing its exports (Lifton, 2011). New mines and refineries need to be established to provide a supply of these elements that is not dependent on just one country and its policies (see Refinement page).
Aside from the cost barriers to opening mines, there are safety (Bias, 2012) and environmental concerns ("Rare earth mining...", 2012) that must be taken into account. To increase yield and make mining less harmful for the environment, efforts must be taken to minimize the environmental footprint (see Green Mining page) and mining and environmental standards for mines must be either instantiated or more strictly enforced so that mines are held responsible for their effect on the surrounding area (see the solution page for environmental harms of mining).
In the long run - 50 years from now and beyond - recycling (see the recycling page) and alternative technologies (see the alternative technologies page) will help to decrease dependence on REEs and take the pressure off of mining operations. This does not change the fact that mining will continue to be the primary source of strategic minerals and must be carried out in an efficient, environmentally-sensitive manner.
Implementation
Opening a mine is not a simple task. There are many factors and costs that need to be taken into account (see mining background). Once all the necessary requirements have been met or taken into consideration, new mines can be established.
Opening New REE Mines
The technology to mine and refine REEs from bedrock deposits only became available in the 1960s. Before then, only placer deposits, which are created from density sorting by water currents, were used for mining REEs. (Leifert, 2010) The denser materials tend to accumulate in one place because it takes more energy to move the dense minerals. Monazite is the main mineral containing REEs in placer deposits although xenotime is also found in placer deposits as well. The first bedrock REE mines were established in Mountain Pass in California, Lovozero in Russia, and Steenkampskraal in South Africa. China began establishing REE mines within its borders a few years later. (Orris, 2002)
The locations of major REE mines have not changed drastically over the last 50 years, but have expanded locally as more deposits were discovered in the vicinity of current mine locations (see Locations of Deposits page). There are currently more than 400 projects related to rare earth exploration outside of China ("Rare Earths"). Interest in REE mining has likewise increased: feasibility studies are ongoing at 40+ new sites being evaluated in the US, Canada, Australia, India, Malawi and South Africa (Schuler 2011, Werdon). The U.S. Geological Survey has data showing that there are significant deposits of rare earth material in China, the U.S., Russia, Australia, Brazil, Canada, South Africa, Greenland, India, Malawi, and Malaysia (Bauer, 2010).
There are 45 possible locations to mine where ore grade is estimated at 2% or higher, a percentage cut off many companies are currently mining at large scale (Bauer, 2010). These locations can be seen in the following map. To see the data for each point on the map, click the green dot.
Map data ©2017
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The large REE mining operations are located primarily in China, although four other mines are also operating in Russia, the U.S., India, and Australia. Additional REE mines are up-and-coming, but the world does not yet rely on these mines for supply. The number of open REE deposits may also be due to the relative newness of the market for REEs. The profit to be gained from a mine can be modelled by a company through its feasibility studies, which determine profit based on ore grade of the rare earth oxide (REO), the amount of REO in a location, various costs of establishing the mine/obtaining permits, and the market price (due to demand) for the elements being mined. Refining costs must also be taken into account, since most refineries for REEs have to be built in conjunction with the mine, due to the huge amount of ore that needs to be processed (see the refinement page), and the high transportation costs these huge amounts of ore would incur. Based on the ore grade estimates and sizes, companies should send in prospectors to reinvestigate these sites and set up new mines when deemed profitable.
Some sites (in Brazil particularly), which contain up to 60% estimated rare earth oxide ore (REO), have estimates from as far back as 1984 (Bauer, 2010). These estimates must be revised and updated (see the locations of deposits page).
Based on current estimates of ore grade (>.1 million tons REO monazite (except in the case of Guarapari, where the REO concentration is very high)), the sites listed below should be the primary candidates for potential new REE mines, as they contain the most profitable sources of REO. While undergoing investigation, the factors of environmental, health, safety, community and monetary impact should be taken into account. The most plentiful but yet untapped sources of REE deposits are located in eastern Brazil and western Australia. Some sites may need to be mined in conjunction with other materials like titanium or nickel, as is currently common practice. For example, rhenium is only mined in conjunction with copper as a byproduct of molybdenum; there are no rhenium only mines (Magyar, 2007). Not all sites have a listing for the amount of ore, and these numbers must be determined before feasibility studies can begin. As demand pushes prices for these minerals up, it would become more economically feasible to look into mines that only contain a low tonnage of REOs, or a small orebody percentage (Bauer, 2010).
*Mt = millions of metric tons, estimated
t = tons
mon = monazite, a major mineral source of REEs
Country
Name of Mine
Measured Reserve Estimates
Brazil
a) Anchieta (Parati, Imbiri, Pipa de Viho, Mäebá)
b) Aracruz
c) Guarapari
d) Prado area
e) Sao Joao de Barra (Barra Sao Joao)
a) 698 t mon grading 60.02% REO (1986); 0.057 Mt @ 0.71% mon (1987)
b) 2964 t mon grading 59.98% REO (1986); 0.282 Mt @ 1.05% mon (1987)
c) 818 t mon @ 60.04% REO (1986); 950 t mon (1987)
d) 4564 t mon grading 19.98% REO
e) 8177 t mon grading 59.99% REO
Canada
a) Thor Lake
b) Hoidas Lake
a) 65 Mt @ 0.3% Ta, 0.4% Nb, 1.7% REE, 3.5% Zr; Proven-- 0.507 Mt @ 0.17% Y oxide, 1.11% Be oxide; 0.51 Mt @ 0.45% REO (1987)
b) Grab samples contain ama 12% REE.
Greenland
Ilimaussaq
6.6 Mt @ 6% ZrO2, 3% REO, 0.2% Y2O3 (1994); 30 Mt @ 0.9% Y2O3 (1990)
India
Ambadungar
105 Mt @ 3% REO; 11.6 Mt @ 30% CaF2
Kenya
Mrima Hill
6 Mt @ about 5% REO (1966); 50.8 Mt @ 0.59% REO
Mozambique
Quelemane
520 Mt @ 4.5% heavy minerals
Namibia
Ondurukurme Complex (Ondumakorume, Kameelberg)
8 Mt @ 3% REO, 0.3% Nb2O5
Russia
Tomtor
large resource with 8-31% REO, 3-8% Nb2O5
Turkey
Kizilcaoren
4.7 Mt @ 2.78% REE (1990)
USA
a) Wet Mountains
b) Bokan-Dotson a) 13.96 Mt @ 1.0% REO (1989)
a)13.96 Mt @ 1.0% REO (1989)
b) 6.2 Mt (indicated resource) @0.09-0.46 % REO + 0.09-0.4% Y2O3
Vietnam
Nam Xe South (Mau Xe North)
Proven + probable reserves-- 940 t REO; Possible reserves-- 3.0 Mt REO; average of 10.6% REO
Source: pubs.usgs.gov/of/2002/of02-189/
Opening new rare metals mines
Elements like indium, gallium, and zirconium will only be mined if the price increases sufficiently for extraction to be economically feasible (these elements are present in such small amounts that it is only feasible to mine them in conjunction with other elements like zinc). Because the supply of tantalum, niobium and cobalt is complicated by factors other than mine production, Mission 2016 advises against opening new mines for these elements, and instead recommends addressing the political and social problems associated with mining of these elements. For lithium, if the rate of mine production continues at the same increasing rate it has been for the past decades, then the reserves are sufficient to meet demand for the next hundred years (Gruber, 2011). Recycling should continue - recycling rates are already at 90% for lithium (Gruber 2011) - and alternative technologies that decrease use should be considered for widespread application.
Opening new phosphorus mines: Locations of new phosphorus deposits are mostly located in high-conflict regions around the globe such as Algeria, Iraq and Syria (see the phosphorus problems page), where it will be difficult to establish new mines. The phosphorus deposits currently being mined will run out in the near future. However, reserves are large enough that companies can profitably mine for phosphorus in new locations like Morocco, which are currently not producing at full potential. In the long term, recycling phosphates, as well as looking for alternate sources, will be necessary strategies (see the phosphorus conservation page).
Opening new platinum group elements mines: PGEs are concentrated in only a few locations worldwide. The deposits in these locations should be sufficient for the next several decades, but could last longer with increased recycling efforts and decreasing use (Cawthorn, 2010).
Opening new uranium and thorium mines: Exploration and mining for uranium and thorium will continue until reserves run out, as companies seek to profit from demand for the element, which is projected to increase as nuclear power becomes a more popular fuel in the coming years.
Demand and Supply Relationship
Though demand for new supplies may be waning, in the coming century, new sources will be needed to meet increasing demand of elements for technologies like computers, hybrid cars and windmills. New mines are needed that meet consumer specifications, meet high safety and environmental standards, and use cost-efficient refining processes (for more information see the refinement page). Yet mining will only last as long as there is a demand for these elements. As long as demand for the elements increases, there will be a market from which new mines can profit (rare earths and yttrium).
Conclusion
In summary, more new mines are needed for REEs than for any other strategic elements. Projections for REE demand growth rates are high enough that the current mine production is not enough. Locations to look into include Brazil and Australia. For other elements, recycling efforts and reducing usage through substitutions or more efficient end-products will serve to stretch supply limits to meet increases in demand. In the long term, this should be carried out for REEs as well, so that new technologies are not dependent on such high cost products.
Cost Analysis
Opening a mine and separation plant can cost from $500 million to $1 billion, depending on the location, element, ore grade, and a variety of other factors (Schuler, 2011). Below is an economic feasibility analysis for opening new mines and refineries based on the price of the element (which is driven by demand for that element). Note that while this model is specific to REE mines, it can be applied to other kinds of mines as well, taking into account other factors such as production costs. Also note that the numbers used reflect costs typical of the industry, but may be uncertain due to assumptions that were necessarily made (listed below). The purpose of this analysis is to illustrate general trends of growth in the industry, not to provide concrete values.
Twelve sites for potential mines and refineries were examined for economic feasibility of REE production. The potential mines were divided into two bins – small capacity mines and large capacity mines – by the expected output of REOs per year. Mines with expected REO outputs of less than or equal to 7000 tons/year were considered small capacity mines, and mines with expected REO outputs greater than 7000 tons/year were considered large capacity mines. For these calculations, small capacity mines were considered on average to produce 20,000 tons per day of raw ore and to operate 260 days per year with two 8-hour shifts per day, and large capacity mines were considered on average to produce 200,000 tons per day of raw ore and to operate 350 days per year with three 8-hour shifts per day. These assumptions were made out of necessity; no specific data is available for locations, so blanket values typical of the industry were used (Camm, 1991). Initial cost calculations were done separately for the two bins, but both used the following generalized model:
The capital cost of mining was calculated using the equations below, where D is the daily capacity of the mine in tons of ore produced per day. The constant (i.e., first) term in each calculation is a blanket estimate based on published average initial capital investment in the industry (~USD 500 million for what is defined in this analysis as a large capacity mine) (Schuler, 2011). To calculate this term, a constant capital cost of USD 400 million was used for large capacity mines. The calculation assumes that this cost is divided evenly into mining and refining, so the constant capital cost of mining becomes USD 200 million. For small capacity mines, 40% of the capital cost of the large capacity mine is used based on trends seen in the capital cost calculation for refining. The variable portion of the cost calculation is based on the open pit mining models published by the USGS, which take into account several factors that affect capital expenditures (Camm, 1991). From these, the following calculations were made:
The average operating cost per ton ore produced was also calculated using D:
From this, an initial value for annual operating cost was calculated as follows:
The cost of refining was calculated using a correlation of 121 USD per lb of refined REE per minute for the solvent exchange method ("Increasing Metal Recoveries/Top-line Revenue"). A yield of 95% was used for these calculations (see the refinement page). The following equation was used:
Note that this is a slight overestimation; the true capital cost of refining is based on the amount of refined REEs produced, the value for which is lower than daily REO production, as REEs account for only a fraction of the REO mass.
The cost of exploratory studies and other fees (legal, permit acquisition, etc.) was estimated to be 1% of capital costs to reflect the relationship between the scope of the mine and the preparatory costs of opening the mine (De la Vergne, 2003). Other fixed costs were considered to be miscellaneous expenses, and accounted for 0.1% of total fixed cost.
The operating cost of refining was calculated using the factor 15 USD/lb refined REE (Schuler, 2011). From this average operating cost of refining per ton ore was determined as follows, where D is defined as above:
Then the operating cost per year were calculated from these as follows:
For each of the mines, the yearly production, total fixed cost, and yearly operating cost were input into a discounted cash flow analysis, which used a 2.64% annual growth rate for operating cost, 99.38% annual decay rate for production, and 10% growth rate for average revenue (price for a ton of REOs) (Lonso, 2012). The model does not take into account continuing capital expenditures, which are considered in the constant portion of the capital expenditure calculation.
These were used to calculate cumulative operating cost, cumulative total cost, cumulative production, cumulative average total cost, total revenue, cumulative total revenue, cumulative net revenue (profit/loss), and cumulative average net revenue. Initial values for average revenue were calculated assuming the company pays off the entirety of its initial investment the fifth year of production (cumulative net revenue = 0). The following graphs show the cumulative expenditures and cumulative total revenue over time, the difference of which gives cumulative net revenue. Note that this is not equivalent to operating profit; this calculation takes into account the initial capital expenditure.
For these projections, a minimum average entry price of REOs (USD/kg) was established for each of the mines to go into production. The calculation takes into account the average revenue (USD per ton of REO produced) required in the first year in order for the cumulative total revenue to equal the cumulative total cost of production - including the initial capital investment - in the first five years. This value is then divided by a conversion factor (907.185 kg/ton) to calculate the minimum average entry price. The results are given in the following table:
Location
REO Output (t per year)
Entry Price ($/kg)
Dubbo
2850
41.74
Hoidas lake
3000
41.03
Kangankunde
5000
35.65
Steenkampskraal
5000
35.65
Deep Sands
5000
35.65
Nechalacho/Thor Lake
6500
33.78
Manavalakurichi, Chavara, et al.
7000
33.34
Mountain Pass
15000
29.36
Mt. Weld
15500
29.07
Nolans
20000
27.14
Zandkopsdrift
20000
27.14
Kvanefjeld
25000
25.82
The above plot suggests a logarithmic relationship between expected annual REO output and entry price, and shows that the regressions are different for small and large capacity mines. This confirms the validity of treating the two bins separately for this analysis.
While it is difficult to quantify a real-world average revenue of REOs – this depends on the composition of the minerals mined, the market prices of the constituent REOs and REEs, the fraction of REOs refined to REEs, and the mass fraction of REEs –these results show that it is more economical for a large mine and refinery to open than it is for a small mine to open. At the same time, large mines and refinery face significantly larger barriers to entry due to higher costs associated with higher production rates. It is also well established that the developmental period for larger mines is longer than that of smaller mines (Schuler, 2011). It is apparent is that it is not only economically feasible but also highly profitable to open mines in the locations assessed. Still, this process will take a minimum of five to ten years to be set in motion. However, once this occurs, the market for REEs will become more competitive, prices will drop to reflect this. This renders mining an economic, private sector-based solution to the REE supply crisis.
The analysis thus far suggests that the mining solution to the problem of REE supply is entirely a free market solution – that is, no governmental interference is required provided that the market follows the logical course. However, it becomes apparent from a qualitative assessment of the current state of the market that the entities with the capital to establish mines are already the primary stakeholders in this industry, and would simply be expanding their operations. If this were to occur, then competition would not be increased. It is in the interest of the world market, especially nations aspiring to be developed, that competition in the REE market is promoted, as competition generally drives prices down. Therefore, it is in the best interest of governments to provide incentives, particularly monetary ones, to emerging companies aspiring to open mines in these locations, as this will increase the number of players, and subsequently the level of competition, in the REE market.
Timeline
Based on cost analysis, Mission 2016 projects the timeline for opening new mines to be as such:
By 2015: Bigger mines like Molycorp's Mountain Pass and Lynas' Mt Weld start producing at full capacity, increasing the amount of ore available by 56,000-57,000 tons ("Rare earths and yttrium"). Plans for new mines, both large and small, should be drawn up. Small mines in the aforementioned locations would be more feasible to have, with deposits in high concentrations but small amounts. Exploration of REE deposits continues for junior research companies. Research begins for new sources of phosphorus and possible substitutes for uranium. Research in recycling continues for PGE and some rare metals - alternative technologies also continue developing for rare metals, such as organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) instead of Liquid Crystal Displays (LCDs), which use indium.
By 2020: Larger mines will begin stopping production while new mines, both smaller and larger, should be be opening up. Investigation of deposits worldwide should continue, particularly for elements such as phosphorus, uranium and platinum, as these will be in higher demand in future years.
By 2030: Mining and establishing new mines should continue as projected. Exploration will continue as more mines are opened. Recycling and alternative technologies should begin to become a larger part of the strategic minerals market.
By 2050: Recycling should be at a capacity for REEs, rare metals, phosphorus and platinum such that supply is no longer solely dependent on mining. In addition, new technologies should have decreased usage of REEs and other strategic minerals. Exploration will have established a good estimate of reserves left for most strategic elements. Mining will still continue for REEs, though these elements will now be mined at a high enough capacity that competition has reduced prices for end-products containing these elements. This makes development that much more achievable for countries for which high-technology devices are currently out of the price range of most citizens (i.e., developing countries with a small middle class).
By 2070: Thorium will be used as a partial substitute for uranium in power plants, recycling rates will increase for strategic minerals across the board if they haven't already, and alternative technologies will be using fewer of these elements in their devices. Strategic minerals and their products should be available on the free market for any and all who choose to purchase them, at affordable prices for a middle class family.
By 2100: Supply comes mainly from recycling and alternative technologies, versus mining for strategic elements. A lack of strategic minerals is no longer a barrier of entry for an aspiring nation to be developed.
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Bias, J. (2012). Carroll's legacy is safer Anglo mines [Editorial]. Financial Times. Retrieved November 18, 2012, from http://www.ft.com
Camm, T. W. (1991). Simplified cost models for prefeasibility mineral evaluations. US Geological Survey. Retrieved November 19, 2012, from http://pubs.usgs.gov/usbmic
Cawthorn, R. G. (2010). The Platinum Group Element Deposits of the Bushveld Complex in South Africa. Platinum Metals Review, 54 (4), pp. 205-215
De la Vergne, Jack (2003). Hard Rock Miner's Handbook. Tempe/North Bay: McIntosh Engineering. pp. 54–65.
Els, F. (2012, November). South African platinum players turn to Zimbabwe. Mining.com. Retrieved November 20, 2012 from http://www.mining.com/south-african-platinum-players-turn-to-zimbabwe-30262/
Fox, Z. (2012). Our iPhones are depleting the earth's resources. Mashable Tech. Retrieved November 17, 2012, from http://mashable.com/2012
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Gruber, P. W., Medina, P. A., Keoleian, G. A., Kesler, S. E., Everson, M. P., & Wallington, T. J. (2011). Global lithium availability: A constraint for electric vehicles? Journal of Industrial Ecology, 00(00), 1-16. Retrieved November 15, 2012, from http://www.eenews.net
Hedrick, J. B. (2010). Rare Earth Industry Overview and Defense Applications (U.S., US Geological Survey). Retrieved November 19, 2012, from http://www.slideshare.net/RareEarthsRareMetals/rare-earthindoverviewsme2010#btnNext
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GREAT NEWS, MEETING OFTHE MINES!NOV 1, 2017 ( ALL SAINTS)
Special Membership Meeting on November 1st regarding Niobay Metals Inc.
https://www.facebook.com/moosecreefirstnation/photos/a.251955088200981.67048.124059284323896/1594682643928212/?type=3&theater
FROM NIOBIUM TO GOLD:
NIOBAY AND MIDLAND COMMENCE DRILLING CAMPAIGN ON LA PELTRIE
Montreal, October 10, 2017. Niobay Metals Inc. (“NioBay” or the “Company”) (TSX-V: NBY) is pleased to announce the commencement of a diamond drilling campaign on the La Peltrie gold property located in Québec, on which Niobay can earn an interest of up to 65%. The La Peltrie property is currently wholly-owned by Midland Exploration Inc. (“Midland”). See press release of September 6, 2017 for details of the option agreement with Midland. The La Peltrie property consists of 520 claims totalling approximately 288 square kilometres and covers, over more than 25 kilometres, a series of NW-SE-trending subsidiary faults to the south of the regional Lower Detour Fault.
This drilling campaign will include a minimum of six (6) drill holes totalling 1,500 metres. The program is mainly designed to test new structural, geological, and geophysical targets identified following compilation work and OreVision® IP geophysical surveys conducted in 2016 and 2017 by Midland. These new high-priority targets include a major interpreted structure trending NW-SE, cross-cutting at a shallow angle a gold-bearing iron formation where historical drilling yielded grades of 0.24 g/t Au over 19.50 metres (drill hole 11-493-01) and 0.35 g/t Au over 9.30 metres (drill hole 11-493-02). Midland will be the operator of the exploration program.
The La Peltrie property is located approximately 25 kilometres southeast of Zone 58N, a high-grade gold zone in the Lower Detour area held by Detour Gold Corp., about 25 kilometers northwest of the former Selbaie Mine, which historically produced 56.5 million tonnes grading 1.9% Zn, 0.9% Cu, 38.0 g/t Ag and 0.6 g/t Au, and next to the B26 deposit currently held by SOQUEM. (Niobay cautions that the mineralization at Zone 58N, at the former Selbaie Mine and at the B26 deposit may not be indicative of the mineralization that may be identified on the La Peltrie property.)
Maps showing the location of the La Peltrie property may be consulted using the following link: ..............
This press release was prepared by Claude Dufresne, P. Eng., mining engineer and Qualified Person as defined by NI 43-101.
About NioBay Metals Inc.
NioBay Metals Inc. is a mining exploration company holding a 100% interest in the James Bay Niobium property in Ontario, Canada and a 72.5% interest in the Crevier niobium/tantalum resource in Québec, Canada. The Company is also actively reviewing the potential of other mineral properties, including the La Peltrie property, and other properties in Quebec jointly held with SOQUEM.
Cautionary Statement
Certain statements contained in this press release constitute forward looking information under the provisions of Canadian securities laws. Forward looking information contained in this press release includes statements with respect to the potential mineralization and geological merits of the La Peltrie project. These statements are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties including, without limitation: risks and uncertainties relating to the interpretation of geological data; the possibility that future exploration results will not be consistent with the Company's expectations; risks related to the
ability to obtain financing needed to fund the exercise of the option and the exploration and development of the project; market conditions and volatility and global economic conditions; and several risks related to the nature of mineral exploration and development. Such statements reflect the Company's views as at the date of this press release. The Company does not intend and does not assume any obligation to update these forward-looking statements and information, except as required by law.
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
For more information, contact:
Claude Dufresne, P.Eng. President & CEO NioBay Metals Inc. Tel.: 514 866-6500, Ext. 2221 Email: cdufresne@niobaymetals.com
Website: www.niobaymetals.com
ARE WE GOING: INFORMATION MEETING
Lands & Resources Department Homelands Protection Plan
Please come learn about and participate in the planning process for Moose Cree Homelands. Review existing maps and information on climate change, Land Use Policy, water, natural resources, infrastructure, Indigenous knowledge and land use, archeology, natural environment, and socio-economic conditions. Completion of the Homelands Protection Plan will be guided by membership based on your input. Thursday, October 5th, 2017 6:30 p.m. at the E.P.R. Centre
UPRAISING -JULY 2017
Uprising against Kap Cree chief
By Alan S. Hale, Cornwall Standard-Freeholder
Wednesday, July 8, 2015 6:08:45 EDT PM
Members of the Kapuskasing Cree at a meeting on July 4 vote to approve a motion calling for the resignation of Gaius Napash as their chief and for the band council to be dissolved.
Members of the Kapuskasing Cree at a meeting on July 4 vote to approve a motion calling for the resignation of Gaius Napash as their chief and for the band council to be dissolved.
TIMMINS - A faction of members within the Kapuskasing Cree is demanding their self-appointed chief, Gaius Napash, step down from his position and the band council be dissolved.
They also want the band’s central bank account frozen until an investigation into the group’s finances being conducted by the local Ontario Provincial Police comes to a conclusion.
The police investigation was launched last week.
The protesting band members say Napash’s leadership has been plagued by a lack of transparency, particularly in relation to the management of the group’s bank account which only the chief and his cousin, Archie Sutherland, have control.
They also question the legitimacy of the band council which they say has been stacked with Napash’s family members.
In spite of all this, the last straw appears to have been the behaviour of the chief and deputy chief when challenged by members on these issues.
The questions regarding the unaccounted-for spending from the band’s central fund prompted the OPP last week to launch an investigation into the band’s finances. Police have already interviewed staff at the Caisse Populaire branch in Kapuskasing where the band has its organizational bank account.
The Daily Press conducted its own month-long investigation into the matter, and while there were many questions raised surrounding Napash and his leadership, there was no evidence presented that he has committed any crime.
That said, there is evidence that he may be breaking the transparency rules in his group’s constitution. Financial documents show he has been spending thousands upon thousands of dollars without explanation to his membership, including writing a $5,000 cheque to himself. And the only political body capable of removing his ability to access the band’s central funds, the band council, has been effectively purged of anyone not a part of his inner circle.
Although attempts were made over multiple days through different avenues to get an interview with Napash for this story, he did not respond to requests from the The Daily Press.
Kapuskasing Cree
The Kapuskasing Cree is not officially recognized as First Nation, but it wants to be.
The group, which is an offshoot of the Moose Cree First Nation, was formed in 2010 after its members split with the band over opposition to particular hydroelectric projects by Ontario Power Generation which they said threatened old burial sites and traditional traplines.
Despite having been separated for five years, the Kapuskasing Cree is not recognized as a First Nation by the government, and their efforts to be recognized as such are opposed by the Moose Cree. Although they technically have no claim to a traditional territory, some private companies such as Xeneca Power Development have set up aboriginal consultations for their Mattagami River projects with the Kapuskasing Cree separate from their talks with the Moose Cree.
According to members The Daily Press spoke to, the band has never had a formal election. Napash was made the group’s spokesman during the separation and merely assumed the role of chief in the media and their dealings with private industry afterwards.
“He started out as our spokesperson and he turned around and elected himself chief,” said band member Andrew Sutherland. “Archie (Sutherland) was also never elected deputy chief.”
The Band Council
Over the past month, the Daily Press spoke to four different band councillors, including Andrew Sutherland, who all said they were effectively removed from participating in the band council after they were no longer being notified of when or if council meetings were taking place.
On a legal document filed in 2013 by the Kapuskasing Cree as part of a ongoing lawsuit against the provincial government and the Moose Cree, Andrew Sutherland, Pricilla Chum, Suzanne Napash, and Joyce Sutherland were all named as band councillors. Together they comprised more than half of the seven-person council, but now only hear about meetings after they are held.
Another concerned Kapuskasing Cree band member, Bernice Sutherland, confirmed there has been no election since the filing of that document.
“They should all technically still be on the band council. They’ve been recognized as councillors in the courts,” said Bernice Sutherland. “The other council that they’ve made, they didn’t come to the community and have a vote or anything like that. They just appointed who they wanted to the council.”
Although still officially part of the band council, the last time Suzanne Napash was able to attend one of the council meetings is when her son told her he had noticed it taking place at the Ontario Power Generation’s Smoky Falls dam, where several band members have contract work jobs.
“He said to me, ‘You know there’s a meeting going on. Why are you at home?’ And I said, ‘What meeting?’” recalled Suzanne Napash.
After getting a ride to the dam, she walked into the meeting to find all the participants in the meeting were family members of the chief.
“It was all family sitting there. Gaius’ sister, brothers, Archie (Sutherland’s) brothers and sisters; nobody from the real council was there,” said Suzanne. “I said, ‘So this is what’s going on now?’ Everybody shut up and didn’t want to say anything. I could feel the atmosphere change, telling me I wasn’t supposed to be there.”
Although not told to leave the meeting, Suzanne Napash said it was clear she was not welcome. She also recalled the chief asking her days later why she had wanted to be at that meeting since she never came to them anyway.
According to Suzanne Napash, council meetings have been held at irregular times and places including hotels, the Kapuskasing town hall and in one instance at Gaius Napash’s brother’s home after 11 p.m.
“How do I know that? My son used to go and visit (a woman) who lived upstairs. He asked, ‘What’s going on down there?’ and was told they were having a meeting,” she recalled.
When she learned the council was meeting with Tembec, the company that owns the mill in Kapuskasing, she asked to be told when and where it was happening so she could attend. That didn’t happen.
“That was a big decision that was made without council,” fumed Suzanne Napash.
The Daily Press reached out to the management of the Tembec mill in Kapuskasing to find out what project they met with the Kapuskasing Cree about, but the company did not respond.
The Bank Account
Another reason why Gaius Napash has been asked to step down as chief surrounds the management of the group’s collective funds. There have been questions whether money intended for the community and the band itself is being used for personal purchases and expenses.
A significant portion of that money has made its way into the account from public coffers.
The publicly owned Ontario Power Generation (OPG) has a partnership agreement with the Moose Cree which includes guarantees of contract work for the First Nation’s businesses during the construction of their dams along the Mattagami River. According to OPG spokesman Neil Kelly, who talked to The Daily Press before the police investigation began, the energy company hired Kiewit Alarie to award contracts for the dam projects.
“They awarded various contracts to Moose Cree members and Moose Cree member businesses for a number of years,” confirmed Kelly.
Some of those contracts went their chief’s own company, Napash Construction, which in turn contributed 30% of the value of their contracts into the Kapuskasing Cree’s account. According to one financial statement, Napash Construction, received almost $700,000 for their work on OPG dam projects, $300,000 of which was then transferred to the band – more than the agreement required.
It appears that Gaius Napash and his cousin Archie Sutherland have signing authority over an association bank account under the Kapuskasing Cree name worth hundreds of thousands of dollars. In the past, Gaius Napash has written cheques from this account to himself, ostensibly so he can pay for band expenses, instead of making them out to the people or businesses the money was ultimately going to.
According to financial documents leaked to The Daily Press, on Dec. 12, 2013, a cheque for $5,000 was made out to Gaius Napash and in the memo line it reads “lawyer.” The band’s lawyer is Steve Reynolds. But other financial statement show that Reynold’s fees are paid straight from the band’s account via money transfers, not out of Gaius Napash’s pocket.
Similarly, a $900 cheque from Sept. 14, 2012, was made out to cash, with a memo line reading “lawyer travel.”
Other cheques for $375 for an Elder’s funeral and $400 for “Sonny C.” were made out to Gaius Napash instead of to a funeral home or Sonny C.
Although organizational bank accounts require both Gaius Napash and Archie Sutherland to sign cheques and approve transfers, a hand written note from the deputy chief to Caisse Populaire on Feb. 20, 2013 gave permission for Gaius Napash to approve transfers on his own if he was not available.
According to Caisse Populaire, the only way to rescind that signing authority over the account is by order of the association’s board – which in this case would be the band council filled with the chief and deputy chiefs family members.
Suspicions among the membership about the bank account were first piqued three years ago from allegations that a boat with a motor and camping trailer had been purchased with band money but no one outside of chief’s family got permission to use.
“He also has a trailer that hauls wood, which he said he bought for the Kapuskasing Cree,” said Bernice Sutherland. “We’ve asked to use it, and we can’t because he said he was afraid we might break it.”
Although resistant, the chief did yield to pressure and on May 30, he provided a summary of band’s finances that contained no itemized expenses. The membership was not satisfied, and that is when tempers flared.
“(Gaius) told us we weren’t privileged to see the full financial statements,” recalled Bernice Sutherland. “It got to the point where my father (Andrew Sutherland) was saying something, and Archie said he was taking it personally and would go outside and slap him ... That’s just something you don’t say to an Elder.”
Following this incident, there have been calls on Gaius Napash to apologize for his deputy chief`s behaviour.
Even if all of the spending from the account is on the level, the group’s constitution stipulates that the band’s government must “promote openness, transparency and disclosure in government decision making and operations” as well as “assign fiscal and political accountability of Kapuskasing Cree First Nation Members.”
Calls for resignation and investigation
After the confrontation at the May 30 meeting, the group of Kapuskasing members concerned by Gaius Napash’s leadership advertised that they were going to hold an emergency meeting to discuss the subject on July 4.
Just before the meeting took place, Gaius Napash’s common-law partner Joanna Wynne posted on the Facebook page the group uses as a message board that there was no meeting occurring at all. A meeting was in fact held.
Several members showed up for the formal meeting where a motion was passed asking for Gaius Napash, Archie Sutherland and the members of the current band council to step down and for the bank account to be frozen until the OPP finishes its investigation, which may involve a forensic audit of the account.
Pierre Dorval, the general manager of the Kapuskasing branch of Caisse Populaire, confirmed he has already met with the police and that the credit union will fully cooperate with the investigation. He also said they would see what they can do about the membership’s request that the account be frozen.
“It will all depend on the legal aspect of what they can bring to us (requesting the account be frozen,),” said Dorval.
Gaius Napash has not publicly responded to the calls for his resignation and would not respond to requests for an interview.
OPTIONS ON MINING
What if the goldbugs are wrong and fiat currency isn't going to throw the world into hyperinflation? What if, instead, a steadily growing economy and a new awareness of the importance of having security of supply for critical metals, along with a big exciting discovery that heats up the resource sector, are what pull sinking gold and silver prices and their related mining companies out of the muck? If so, John Kaiser tells The Mining Report that he has set his sights on the dozen companies that would star in this horror-turned-romantic epic adventure.
Crocodile
The Mining Report: At the Cambridge House Canadian Investment Conference in Toronto, you talked about escaping the resource sector swamp. Why do you call the current market a swamp?
John Kaiser: There are four key narratives that dominate the resource sector, in particular the junior resource sector. One is the supercycle narrative where a growing global economy catches the mining industry off guard with the result that higher-than-expected demand results in higher real metal prices. That then unleashes a scramble to find deposits that work at these higher, new prices and put them into production. The juniors played an extraordinary role during that cycle in the last decade; however, global economic growth has slowed. Therefore, we are looking at a period of sideways, possibly weaker, metal prices for a number of years, which puts the supercycle narrative on hold. That is one factor keeping the sector in a swamp.
"Clifton Star Resources Inc. would definitely benefit from gold jumping back through $1,500/oz."
Another important narrative is the goldbug narrative, where a soaring gold price is going to make deposits much more valuable. We did see that play out. Gold reached $1,950/ounce ($1,950/oz) briefly, but has since retreated 40%. Even though that's still 400% off the low from just over a decade ago, it has turned out to be a wash in real prices. Now, growth projections in the U.S. are having negative implications for the prevailing apocalyptic goldbug narrative. That does not bode well for an escape from the quagmire.
A third key narrative is security of supply, which we saw manifested in the rare earth (RE) boom in the past five years. However, the RE prices have come back to earth as substitution and thrifting has kicked in. The anxiety that China is going to eclipse the U.S. anytime soon has diminished, and the concern that there will be supply squeezes around the world has diminished.
The fourth narrative, which has dominated the junior sector for two of the past three decades, is that of discovery exploration. Unfortunately, there have not been many very good discoveries in the past decade that have inspired confidence in the retail sector. Add to that the structural changes in the financial services sector that make it increasingly difficult for junior public companies to source retail investor capital.
These are the forces that are keeping gold—and junior mining equity—prices bogged down.
TMR: Let's look at each of those narratives a little bit closer to determine what they mean for junior mining companies. If China's growth is slowing and the U.S. recovery remains hesitant, what does that mean for base metals—copper, nickel, iron and zinc?
"Exeter Resource Corp.'s gold-copper Caspiche deposit has been modeled for multiple mining scenarios."
JK: In the last decade, juniors have made a career of picking up deposits found in past exploration cycles and discarded as marginal because the grade wasn't high enough. The juniors did a tremendous job of reevaluating their potential based on new prices and technology. That led to $140 billion ($140B) worth of takeover bids, compared to the $5B per decade in the 1980s and 1990s. These deposits now sit as inventory in the big mining companies.
That means when we get another price boom, the big mining companies will develop these projects to supply the demand surge, not acquire juniors that claw a new batch of discarded deposits out of the closet. Investors interested in juniors with advanced deposits will have to focus their attention on an existing pool of juniors that will shrink as they disappear through buyouts or mergers with very modest premiums off cyclical market lows.
TMR: Would you apply that scenario to all of the base metals?
JK: Copper and iron are the ones that are faced with oversupply in the next couple of years. Nickel is a special situation because it was being oversupplied until Indonesia imposed an export ban on raw laterite ore. The Philippines is contemplating doing something similar. Should this come to pass, then we will have temporary shortages of nickel, and we could see nickel prices going higher. But if Chinese capital builds the capacity to smelt the nickel laterite ore in Indonesia and the Philippines, then we will see weak nickel prices.
"Namibia Rare Earths Inc.'s PEA reported an after-tax IRR of 43%."
The one metal I think will realize higher prices in the next few years is zinc. That is because major mines have started to shut down, and what is coming onstream is considerably less capacity than what is shutting down. Normally, that doesn't really matter because China has been the elephant in the room, the largest zinc producer. China has nearly doubled its production in the past decade. The prevailing view is that if we get a higher zinc price, China will move quickly to put more mines into production. However, I believe, due to a new environmental focus, the country could actually shut down some of its capacity, worsening the supply situation.
Because most large zinc deposits are in remote locations, they will take 7 to 10 years to develop. So I am focusing on smaller-scale zinc deposits, such as the West Desert deposit of InZinc Mining Ltd. (IZN:TSX.V) in Utah, which could jump onstream faster than some of the big, remote projects. InZinc's updated preliminary economic assessment (PEA) showed it could turn the magnetite skarn zinc into a salable byproduct rather than a costly waste material.
This project appears to work at $0.90 a pound ($0.90/lb), and if we do get zinc at $1.20/lb., it should work extremely well. The company has been able to raise money and has more than $1 million ($1M) in the treasury so that it can ride out any interim weakness in the market. Its next step is to do a $4M exploration program designed to find the limits of the deposit, so that when it embarks into prefeasibility study mode, it will know the perfect project scale.
TMR: When could the prefeasibility study come out and doesn't it still need permitting?
JK: Utah is a very friendly state for permitting mines and even more so with regard to approving exploration programs. Permitting InZinc's delineation drilling program is not the holdup; raising the capital at non-punitive prices is. I hope the company can raise the money it needs to spend in 2015, setting the stage for a prefeasibility study in 2016. Simultaneous environmental studies would put the company in a position to go for a feasibility study in 2017.
"Even though we are in a very dismal financing market, Probe Mines Limited was able to raise $26M of flow-through money."
We are still talking about 2020 as the earliest it could be in production, but that is much shorter than the decade needed to bring giant remote zinc deposits such as Howard's Pass onstream. The uncertainty about the longer-term outlook for zinc creates a window of opportunity to develop smaller zinc deposits such as West Desert.
TMR: Let's go back to your themes. The second one was the goldbug theme. The Federal Reserve is betting that the U.S. economy is good enough to handle rising interest rates as part of a push to jumpstart the global economy. What could this mean for the supercycle we talked about and the apocalyptic goldbug narrative and the companies in the metals space?
JK: If the Fed successfully finesses the transition from quantitative easing and low interest rates to an economy based on positive real short-term interest rates, then we will see the consumer start to feel more comfortable with the future and spend money. Businesses would then start spending the trillions of dollars they are now hoarding or spending on share buybacks to prop up stock prices.
If they shift to building stuff again for the long run, which employs people with quality jobs and signals optimism about America's economic future, then the banks become happy and will start lending money to consumers. It creates a virtuous circle where the economy grows organically rather than artificially. This is also good for the rest of the global economy because it will enable emerging markets to hitch their wagon back to the U.S. as a primary export destination and, ultimately, as a flow of capital back to their own economies to fund self-sustaining economic growth.
A smooth transition to real growth is bad news for the goldbug narrative because if we have higher interest rates and, thus, better yields, that makes gold—which yields nothing—not very competitive. A strong dollar also clashes with the idea that everything is falling apart and, therefore, gold is going to go up due to resulting hyperinflation and fiat currency debasement. But if the Fed is wrong and it merely succeeds in popping a stock bubble and the Dow Jones drops more than the 10–15% that would qualify as a healthy correction, unleashing another asset deflation spiral similar to 2008, then we end up in a very negative scenario for the global supercycle narrative and for the goldbug narrative because gold goes down in a liquidity crunch. Either outcome creates an argument for gold dropping through that $1,180/oz resistance level and touching $1,000/oz on the downside.
TMR: Are you predicting $1,000/oz gold?
JK: I see $1,000/oz as a temporary aberration except in the worst case scenario of a global depression. Today 1980's $400/oz gold adjusted for inflation is $1,120/oz, so $1,200/oz is just a 9% real gain. That is sobering when you consider the mining industry extracted 2.3 billion ounces over the last 30 years on the back of gold's big move during the 1970s. As this low hanging fruit got harvested, mining costs rose, even more so than general inflation during the past five years.
"Soltoro Ltd. has both an existing resource demonstrating feasibility at the prevailing metal prices and exploration potential for the future."
All-in cost estimates average $1,350/oz for new gold, partly due to higher mining costs, but also due to lower grades, more difficult metallurgy and social license costs. A gold price in the $1,000–1,200/oz range implies that the world going forward will be content with the existing 5.4 billion ounce aboveground gold stock plus the billion extra ounces existing mines will produce as they deplete over the next decade.
As an optimist about global economic growth, I find that hard to believe. If the end of quantitative easing and the arrival of higher real interest rates gives the American economy organic growth legs, rather than sending it into a tailspin that requires the Fed to put it back on life support, it will pull the global economy back into an uptrend with resource-hungry emerging economies with large population bases as the long-term growth engines.
While your typical North American goldbug owns gold to hedge against catastrophe and a possible capital gain trade, new wealth in emerging nations seeks gold ownership as a form of saving and wealth insurance. This gold is not generally for sale. In my view, global economic growth is a plausible driver for higher real gold prices. The question is how long can gold hang around at price levels where it does not make economic sense to mobilize new gold mine supply?
What would jumpstart an uptrend in gold is China announcing its actual reserve holdings, which were last reported in 2009 as 1,054 tonnes. Since then China has produced about 2,000 tonnes and because the central bank is the official buyer of domestic gold production, China's official gold holdings are likely over 3,000 tonnes, just behind Germany at 3,384 tonnes. China has also been a heavy importer of gold since its breakdown in 2013, possibly over 1,000 tonnes. That would put China in second place, halfway to America's official holdings of 8,134 tonnes. China sees as the long game the eventual end of the U.S. dollar as the world's single reserve currency.
For now China is more than happy to see weak gold prices and is unlikely to harm its gold accumulation agenda by updating its official reserve holdings. But if it did, that would make investors think twice about selling the gold they already own and increase demand for more, which would lead to a higher gold price. A shortage could push gold to $1,500/oz without excessive inflation or fiat currency debasement. It would also underpin a new bull market in the juniors, especially if the American economy is back on track and the dominant gold narrative is no longer one that just promises higher gold prices without enhanced mining profitably.
TMR: It sounds like you can envision a world where what is good for Main Street and Wall Street is also good for the gold miners. Are there some gold miners that maybe are more leveraged to that $1,500/oz gold price and could really benefit?
JK: Big companies like Barrick Gold Corp. (ABX:TSX; ABX:NYSE) that have shut down large capital expenditure (capex) projects and unprofitable mines would benefit immediately. Juniors that have done advanced economic study work and are continuing to do feasibility study work would also be able to take advantage of the upside. The share prices have been punished and these companies can now be bought as options on a higher gold price. The risks, of course, are that the company is unable to maintain ownership of the project because of spending requirements or that they are swallowed up by bigger companies during the mayhem that would accompany gold dropping below $1,100/oz.
One to consider is Midas Gold Corp. (MAX:TSX), which is completing a prefeasibility study on its Golden Meadows project in Idaho. That project was, according to the PEA, viable at $1,300/oz gold, probably not so at $1,000/oz gold. It has the funds in place to complete the prefeasibility study, hopefully by the end of the year. The next step is environmental permitting, which will be the primary obstacle in a state like Idaho.
Another company that has interesting optionality is Exeter Resource Corp. (XRA:NYSE.MKT; XRC:TSX; EXB:FSE), whose gold-copper Caspiche deposit in Chile has been modeled for multiple mining scenarios. The limiting factor is water access. The company is sufficiently funded with the $12M it needs to complete its studies and get its environmental permits for the smaller-scale scenarios. It has $40M in the treasury, which puts it in excellent shape to continue to advance the understanding of the deposit, search for water and be ready to move at different scales of production when gold starts to move on the upside.
The most extreme scenario is Clifton Star Resources Inc. (CFO:TSX.V; C3T:FSE) whose project is marginal at $1,300/oz gold. It is facing a balloon payment and an extremely low valuation right now so it would definitely benefit from gold jumping back through $1,500/oz.
Probe Mines Limited (PRB:TSX.V) is working on a PEA for Borden to give us a sense of the economics, something I will be watching closely. Arguably, the best gold discovery in Canada during the past decade was the Éléonore deposit made by Virginia Mines Inc. (VGQ:TSX) that Goldcorp Inc. (G:TSX; GG:NYSE) bought for $750M. In a feasibility study published earlier this year, Goldcorp revealed that this project at $1,300/oz gold will have an after-tax internal rate of return (IRR) of only 3% and a marginal net present value (NPV) even though it's producing 400,000 oz per year. At that price, it would take 8 years out of a 10-year mine life to achieve payback of a capital cost of nearly $2B. So there is a lot of concern about the viability of new gold mines. One difference is that Éléonore is in central Quebec and has infrastructure challenges, whereas Probe's Borden deposit is in Ontario next to a highway where infrastructure is already available.
Probe has shown 1.6 million ounces (1.6 Moz) of high grade and 2.3 Moz of open-pittable low grade with more exploration potential. Probe needs to acquire some key surrounding ground. The market has been waiting for this deal to get done so that it has 100% ownership of the existing deposit and can start chasing the deposit down plunge. In light of weak gold prices, the PEA will focus on a 3,000 tonne per day (3,000 tpd) underground mining scenario that targets the higher-grade gold. Investors get exposure to potential cash flow from gold that can be mined profitability at prevailing weak prices and an option on the impact of a higher real gold price moving the open-pittable resource into the money.
TMR: Probe just did a $26M funding. How is it planning to use that money?
JK: A sign of the strength of this story is that even though we are in a very dismal financing market, Probe was able to raise $26M of flow-through money. By definition it has to be spent on exploration. But it still has about $20M of hard dollars left for land acquisition and the new money will be used to delineate the deposit and explore the East Limb project, which could open a whole new area.
TMR: Was there another one you wanted to mention?
JK: Soltoro Ltd. (SOL:TSX.V) is primarily a silver company in Mexico with some gold zones. The company reevaluated its resource estimate using a higher cutoff because at $20/oz or lower silver, the metallurgical challenges made the earlier resource estimate marginal. By identifying a smaller core that works at $15/oz silver, it made the project better. Soltoro has multiple projects, El Rayo, La Tortuga and several others, where partners have spent money to advance the deposit. This gives it both an existing resource demonstrating feasibility at the prevailing metal prices and exploration potential for the future.
TMR: The property is right next to the recently acquired Cayden Resources Inc. (CYD:TSX.V; CDKNF:OTCQX) property. What does that recent deal mean for companies on the same mineralization belt?
JK: It is nice to see Agnico Eagle Mines Ltd. (AEM:TSX; AEM:NYSE) pay up to acquire strategic real estate. It tells us that there is an interest in consolidating these districts, including the Cayden property in Mexico. This is a good reason for Soltoro to step up its game and attract a bigger audience, get some capital going and make itself attractive as part of that consolidation process.
TMR: Let's return to the scarcity of supply theme and what that means for companies that mine RE elements and strategic elements.
JK: In the RE sector, we have seen efforts to mobilize light rare earth (LRE) supply through Lynas Corp. (LYC:ASX) and Molycorp Inc. (MCP:NYSE). Both companies are ailing right now. LRE prices are almost back to where they started in 2009, meaning that Western deposits are simply not viable. However, heavy rare earths (HREs) are different story. China is still the dominant supplier, but it might be running out. To conserve resources, China could start withholding supply to the rest of the world. Oddly, however, HRE prices have sunk dramatically during the past year and are only about double the levels that they started out at in 2009. As renewable energy becomes a necessity to combat climate change, prices will have to rise for the HREs to play their roles in the renewable energy sector.
One RE company that I continue to look at favorably is Namibia Rare Earths Inc. (NRE:TSX, NMREF:OTCQX). The company has just completed a PEA for its Lofdal project that envisions an open-pit 1,500 tpd mine that will produce a concentrate consisting mainly of heavy rare earths. The PEA reported an after-tax IRR of 43% and NPV of US$147M at 10%. The PEA does use FOB base case prices that are nearly double current levels, which would be a problem if 98% of the rare earths were not heavy rare earths representing over 99% of the recovered value.
A key aspect of the PEA is the plan to have separation done by parties with that capacity outside of China. One of these is Solvay SA (SOLB:NYSE; SOLB:BRU), whose subsidiary Rhodia has a facility in France with surplus separation capacity. The other would be Molycorp, which has potential to develop heavy rare earth separation capacity at its facility in Estonia. Namibia Rare Earth's goal is to find a partner to fund and develop the Lofdal mine, as well as separate the mixed oxides. Securing such a deal will be the next milestone because the junior would prefer to use its remaining $6M to explore for additional HREO enriched zones and other critical metal deposits within the Lofdal carbonatite complex in Namibia.
TMR: What other specialty metals do you think would do well under a scarcity of supply scenario? Would tungsten be one?
JK: The markets have their heads in the sand about tungsten. China is the dominant producer, but much of the resource comes from small mines targeted by regulators for environmental cleanup. Tungsten's use as a hardening metal alloy makes it a war metal, but it is also important for the oil drilling business, which has boomed with the development of tight oil and gas in shale deposits. If the Umbrella Revolution currently playing out in Hong Kong spins out of control, and China ends up withdrawing into itself the way Russia has started to do as a result of its Ukraine intervention, it is conceivable that exports of tungsten could drop precipitously, which would leave the Western world in a bind. This is an outlier but not an implausible scenario. More serious are the risks that China's production from small tungsten deposits may decline through depletion or shutdown for environmental reasons.
That is why I very much like the Northcliff Resources Ltd. (NCF:TSX) Sisson project in New Brunswick. It has a tungsten-molybdenum deposit that could provide nearly 10% of current global supply. If we see further concern emerge over China, the capital will arrive to enable Sisson to go into production.
TMR: Northcliff put out a feasibility study in 2013. What is the next catalyst?
JK: The main thing we're waiting for there is the environmental permit. A New Zealand partner could put up as much as $25M for a minority percentage. Once Northcliff has this permit, a funding arrangement may emerge to put this into production. It could also be bought by a major, something the management group Hunter Dickinson group has orchestrated before.
TMR: Do you put scandium in the strategic metals category as well?
JK: If there was one metal left to have a big manic boom that envelopes both explorers and developers, it is scandium. It's sometimes classified as an RE, but it's really in a separate class as a light transition metal. What it does well is marry with aluminum to create an aluminum-scandium alloy that has a higher melt point than aluminum, is corrosion resistant, is more conductive, is stronger, and allows a weld joint as strong as the material itself. These qualities make aluminum-scandium alloy an important metal of a future where energy costs are higher and the goal is to push materials to achieve much greater energy savings.
The problem with scandium is it does not concentrate well in Mother Nature. The highest-grade deposit has been in the Ukraine, which the Soviets mined in the Korean War to make fighter jets. For decades, there have been hundreds of patents for innovative uses for scandium, but because there is no meaningful supply, most sit on the shelf. Six years ago enriched laterite deposits with more than 300 parts per million (300 ppm) were discovered in Australia's New South Wales. At today's $2,000/kilogram scandium oxide price, 1,000 tonnes per year output would have a value greater than $1B compared to the $50M value of the 10–15 tonnes eked out as byproduct supply. Of course it might take 10–15 years to develop that level of supply capacity and offtake demand, but money can be made in the pioneers developing this space, which currently consist of several juniors.
That's similar to the niobium story today. Prior to the 1960s, niobium supply existed only as a byproduct from tin and tantalum alluvial mines in Nigeria and Congo. In the 1950s, it only existed as a low-grade byproduct of other deposits. Then the world-class Araxá deposit was discovered in Brazil and a predecessor to IAMGOLD Corp. (IMG:TSX; IAG:NYSE) found Niobec in Quebec. These deposits had grades 10 times better than known bedrock resources and offered a scalability that the alluvial mines did not. Niobium's ability to harden steel and raise its melting point made it an important alloy in the Space Age race and is now a $2–3B/year market. Scandium can do the same for aluminum that niobium did for steel.
The leading scandium company is EMC Metals Corp. (EMC:TSX), which owns the Nyngan deposit in Australia. It should have a PEA out this year and a feasibility study and a mining permit in hand by the end of next year. It will initially be a small-scale project, 20–30 tonne scandium oxide likely, but that will be enough to demonstrate to the industry that scandium can be produced in a scalable primary mine. Once the industry sees that, there will be all sorts of offtake interests in scaling this up to 100, 200 tpa and beyond. The deposit is so large that such a scale up is conceivable. Similar deposits have been found in Australia by other juniors that are less advanced in sorting out the metallurgy of these near-surface laterite deposits.
TMR: EMC is also exploring in Norway. Is that a new frontier for scandium?
JK: The Tørdal pegmatite field is one of the known scandium-enriched places in the world. Mozambique also has similar pegmatite deposits with grades over 1,000 ppm. The problem with pegmatite deposits is that they tend to be irregular and small, so it's difficult to put together a large tonnage of a consistent grade. They also have complex mineralogy, though in the case of Tørdal recent work by EMC suggests that the scandium reports to a mineral that separates easily from the rest of the rock.
In the Australian laterite deposits, the scandium is embedded in the lattice of goethite, an iron-magnesium oxide that is dominant in bauxite (aluminum) and nickel laterites. Figuring out the right combination of acid and temperature to liberate the scandium takes a fair amount of test work, but it is doable and EMC has worked on it since 2010. Although Australia will become the dominant scandium producer, production from Norway and other parts of the world is important because the aluminum alloy industry is concerned about security of supply. If there are supply problems with the Australian deposits, end users, such as aircraft builders, want to know there are alternative supply sources long term. As awareness of scandium spreads, and the implications for the aluminum industry get understood, led by EMC's pioneering example, a Canadian exploration boom targeting intrusive complexes around the world will blossom.
TMR: That takes us to the project generators and their role in the discovery exploration theme. Could the project generators be the Cinderellas of the ball, delivering excitement in a flat commodity price environment?
JK: The prospect generators have adopted a strategy where they use their capital to generate prospects that attract other partners to spend the heavy lifting dollars of testing drill targets. In past decades, that has included other juniors with the promotional skills to move the story along. That worked quite well. A junior would have multiple projects going and when one results in a significant discovery, the prospect generator folds its minority interest into the other company for stock, so that the big mining company is buying a junior with 100% ownership of the deposit. Those junior farm-in partners are now few and far between because of the funding crisis in the sector. So the prospect generators have had to find majors as partners.
One company that has succeeded as such is Avrupa Minerals Ltd. (AVU:TSX.V), which has been a prospect generator in Europe, Portugal and Germany. In Portugal, the Alvalade project attracted Antofagasta Plc (ANTO:LSE) with a new way of interpreting the geology that hosts high-grade volcanogenic massive sulphide (VMS) mineralization in the Iberian Pyrite Belt similar to the world-class Neves Corvo deposit now owned by Lundin Mining. The Alvalade property straddles a segment of the belt that is covered by barren younger rocks up to 100 meters thick that has stymied past exploration efforts. Earlier this year Avrupa intersected VMS mineralization in stratigraphy that, unlike Neves Corvo, is tilted on its side with local faulting. This achievement at Sesmarias was quite a coup, but finding the main zones will still require the deep pockets of Antofagasta.
Avrupa has drill programs going on in Kosovo, where a partner is drilling a target. The challenge with prospect generators is the pace of the exploration is controlled by the partner. The data flow is controlled by the partner. The partner does not usually have a need to raise additional capital on the what-appear-to-be good results, so advancing an exploration play generally lacks the urgency involved when a junior is in charge.
Another company that really isn't a prospect generator in the sense that it deliberately sets out to generate prospects and farm them out to others for drilling is a company in Botswana called Tsodilo Resources Ltd. (TSD:TSX.V). It was originally a diamond explorer whose pursuit of magnetic anomalies as kimberlite targets put it into a region where it didn't hit any kimberlite, but it started hitting very interesting, sulphate-bearing geology that subsequently was interpreted as being very similar to the geology of the Zambian Copperbelt. This has attracted the attention of First Quantum Minerals Ltd. (FM:TSX; FQM:LSE), the big copper producer, which has mounted an astonishingly aggressive grassroots program on this project. It optioned 70% in August last year and will have spent $14M by the end of 2014 to understand the basin geology and be in a position to spend another $6M in 2015 drilling priority targets.
In addition to a series of deep stratigraphic holes, First Quantum is drilling 220 holes on 2km centers through the Kalahari sand into about 6 meters of bedrock, collecting groundwater samples, conducting extensive geophysical surveys—magnetic, electromagnetic—and gravity surveys. As part of its groundwater testing, First Quantum will assay for certain copper isotopes, which groundwater dissolves when it oxidizes chalcopyrite, a key copper sulphide.
First Quantum has access to proprietary information about the relative rate that these isotopes stay in solution. By plotting the ratios between these isotopes, First Quantum hopes to establish the distance the copper it assays in the groundwater samples has traveled from the source. Spending $20M on such a sophisticated grassroots program is beyond the means of a typical junior, and pretty hard for the exploration departments of major mining companies to get approval for. First Quantum seems to be in a special class of such majors in targeting world-class deposits hidden under barren cover.
At Tsodilo's Xaudum project in Botswana it is looking for underground minable copper deposits grading more than 2% copper and containing 5–10 million tons with an in-situ value approaching $100B. A high-impact discovery like this would send a stock like Tsodilo into double digits and turn First Quantum into an icon for what needs to be done nowadays if flat metal prices do not allow wandering down the grade curve for new mine supply.
TMR: All of that because it failed when it was looking for diamonds.
JK: Yes, Tsodilo turned failure into a potentially much bigger success by thinking out of the box about the "disappointing" drill results.
TMR: How about a story a little closer to home?
JK: We are entering a period where getting the public excited about ounces in the ground is going to be a hard sell. It already is a hard sell. In this sort of environment, you need an innovative approach. You need a technology that gives you a shot at finding something that nobody else ever had a chance to find before. The groundwater technology I mentioned that First Quantum is using has been done since the 1950s, but what has changed is that the assay lab detection limits have gone up by several orders of magnitude. Our glasses are finally properly focused to see what has been there all along.
Nevada Exploration Inc. (NGE:TSX.V) has pioneered the use of groundwater surveys for gold down to the parts per trillion. Ten years ago assay lab detection limits for gold were much higher. But as this changed Nevada Exploration worked with a geochemist to develop gold measurement protocols for groundwater samples. It has since collected 5,000 samples from gravel covered basins in northern Nevada that have highlighted 20 interesting areas and it owns four important prospects with reasonably developed anomalies. However, it has run out of money. Until it delivers its own proof of concept, nobody wants to give it money.
Barrick Gold is now doing groundwater collection in its own plodding way as it attempts to find the 300–400 Moz that disappeared 15M years ago when extension created Nevada's basin and range topography. These ounces are hidden in the down-dropped bedrock under the gravel covered basins. One reason Barrick is keen to acquire Newmont Mining Corp. (NEM:NYSE) is to be in a position to consolidate the checkerboard land Newmont owns so that it will not matter that another Goldrush or Cortez Hills system it might find through groundwater sampling straddles Newmont claims. Of course, one has to wonder why Newmont does not embark on such a program given its land position.
TMR: Is this a race or a long-term story?
JK: It could turn hot overnight if a major groundwater generated discovery were made. Nevada Exploration needs a strong partner to buy a major equity stake and bring greater credibility to the process. This would enable it to finish the sampling program and acquire claims on the hotspots that it could either explore further on its own or farm out to other juniors. Nevada has the potential to become an extraordinary regional area play that brings the resource juniors back into the exploration game. And in doing so it would secure for America an in-the-ground gold legacy exceeding its current Fort Knox holdings, something that might be helpful down the road when China's central bank gold holdings pass those of the United States.
TMR: We've talked before about the fact that during this downturn, a lot of companies were going to either disappear or be reduced to walking dead on the Toronto Stock Exchange and the TSX Venture Exchange. Is one of the bright spots of the market today that it's easier to tell the good companies from the bad?
JK: Yes and no. Just under 600 companies out of 1,700 have more than $500,000 working capital and aren't in the big mining company league. Some 300 have between $0 and $500,000 working capital, and about 700 have negative working capital of about $2B. The negative working capital ones are pretty much dead in the water because no one wants to give them real money to replace money that's already been spent. You may find a few companies among them with interesting stories that are worth salvaging. But most of the indebted companies are going to wither away and disappear.
That leaves about 900 companies with potential to survive. Among those, I gravitate toward the ones that have real management teams—technical personnel who know something about exploration—and projects with a story indicating that the brains of management are actually at work and that they are not just going through the motions of pretending to explore. Some companies are sitting on piles of money where management is collecting big salaries but because they have large shareholders who are treating the company simply as a keg of dry power for extremely bad times, they do not have the go-ahead to do anything along the lines of serious exploration that would risk the capital but also put the company in a position to deliver a substantial reward. One also has to be careful about those companies because they represent opportunity cost.
But, in general, it is now easier to see companies that are doing something and distinguish those from the rest because the inability to finance and the poor financial condition of most of the resource juniors make it very clear that they have nothing and are doing nothing. There is no reason to invest even a penny in such zombie companies.
TMR: Thank you for your time.
John Kaiser John Kaiser, a mining analyst with 25-plus years of experience, produces Kaiser Research Online. After graduating from the University of British Columbia in 1982, he joined Continental Carlisle Douglas as a research assistant. Six years later, he moved to Pacific International Securities as research director, and also became a registered investment adviser. He moved to the U.S. with his family in 1994.
Read what other experts are saying about:
Clifton Star Resources Inc.
Exeter Resource Corp.
Namibia Rare Earths Inc.
Probe Mines Limited
Soltoro Ltd.
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DISCLOSURE:
1) JT Long conducted this interview for Streetwise Reports LLC, publisher of The Gold Report, The Energy Report, The Life Sciences Report and The Mining Report, and provides services to Streetwise Reports as an employee. She owns, or her family owns, shares of the following companies mentioned in this interview: None.
2) John Kaiser: I own, or my family owns, shares of the following companies mentioned in this interview: Nevada Exploration Inc., InZinc Mining Ltd., EMC Metals Corp., Northcliff Resources Ltd., Namibia Rare Earths Inc., Avrupa Minerals Ltd. and Tsodilo Resources Ltd. I personally am, or my family is, paid by the following companies mentioned in this interview: None. My company has a financial relationship with the companies mentioned: None. I was not paid by Streetwise Reports for participating in this interview. Comments and opinions expressed are my own comments and opinions. I determined and had final say over what companies would be included in the interview based on my research, understanding of the sector and interview theme. I had the opportunity to review the interview for accuracy as of the date of the interview and am responsible for the content of the interview.
3) The following companies mentioned in the interview are sponsors of Streetwise Reports: Namibia Rare Earths Inc., Clifton Star Resources Inc., Exeter Resource Corp., Virginia Mines Inc., Soltoro Ltd. and Probe Mines Limited. Goldcorp Inc. is not affiliated with Streetwise Reports. Streetwise Reports does not accept stock in exchange for its services. The companies mentioned in this interview were not involved in any aspect of the interview preparation or post-interview editing so the expert can speak independently about the sector.
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TODAY NEWS SEPT 6, 2017
TSX-V: NBY
NIOBAY ANNOUNCES OPTION TO ACQUIRE UP TO 65% IN THE LA PELTRIE GOLD PROJECT FROM MIDLAND EXPLORATION, SOUTHEAST OF DETOUR GOLD’S ZONE 58N
Montreal, September 6, 2017. Niobay Metals Inc. (“NioBay” or the “Company”) (TSX-V: NBY) is pleased to announce it has entered into an option agreement with Midland Exploration Inc. ("Midland") to acquire up to a 65% interest in its La Peltrie gold property.
This project with strong gold potential is wholly owned by Midland and is located approximately 25 kilometers southeast of Zone 58N, a high-grade gold zone in the Lower Detour area held by Detour Gold Corp. (“Detour Gold”). Best results obtained so far in drilling in Zone 58N in the Lower Detour area include values of 11.82 g/t Au over 32.40 meters, 12.74 g/t Au over 28.0 meters (source: press release by Detour Gold dated June 2, 2014). Phase II drilling results includes 14.22 g/t Au over 13.0 meters and 28.14 g/t Au over 9.0 meters (source: Detour Gold website). (Note that assays are reported as core lengths and that true thicknesses cannot be determined at this time with the information currently available).
The La Peltrie project is also located about 25 kilometers northwest of the former Selbaie mine, which historically produced 56.5 million tonnes grading 1.9% Zn, 0.9% Cu, 38.0 g/t Ag and 0.6 g/t Au and next to the B26 deposit currently held by SOQUEM. Recent drilling by SOQUEM on this deposit returned new Zn-Ag and Cu-Au zones yielding up to 21.2% Zn, 526.6 g/t Ag, 3.8% Pb and 0.7% Cu over 3.4 metres (drill hole 1274-16-228) and 12.2% Cu, 1.3 g/t Au and 14.0 g/t Ag over 2.0 metres (drill hole 1274-16236) (source: SOQUEM website). (Niobay cautions that the mineralization at the Selbaie Mine may not be indicative of the mineralization that may be identified on the La Peltrie property.)
The La Peltrie project consists of 511 claims totaling approximately 285 square kilometers and covers, over 25 kilometers, a series of interpreted NW-SE-trending subsidiary faults to the south of the regional Lower Detour Fault.
Under the terms of the option agreement, NioBay can earn up to 65% of Midland's interest in the project over a period of six (6) years, by fulfilling the following conditions:
First, to earn a 50% interest, Niobay has to:
? Pay in cash or in common shares:
o $30,000 promptly after Niobay receives the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange, and $30,000 on or before August 31, 2018; o $50,000, $70,000 and $70,000 on or before respectively August 31, 2019, 2020 & 2021; and
? Incur exploration expenditures totaling $3,000,000 by August 31, 2021, including a firm commitment of $500,000 to be invested by December 31, 2017.
Following the initial earn-in of its 50% interest, Niobay will be entitled to earn an additional 15% interest in the project by completing a preliminary economic assessment by August 31, 2023.
Midland and NioBay intends to begin shortly a diamond drilling campaign totaling more than 1,500 meters aiming to test the best geophysical targets identified by the OreVision® IP (« OreVision ») surveys completed in 2016 and 2017 (see Midland’s press release dated April 19 2017). Midland will be project operator during the initial option period.
Maps showing the location of the La Peltrie property may be consulted using the following link: ..............
Claude Dufresne, President, and CEO commented that “NioBay is very pleased to have the opportunity to acquire an interest in the La Peltrie gold project. The project is located in a highly prospective geological area with known gold mineralized trend. Excellent drilling results have been reported recently by companies exploring in the area. We are looking forward to partner with Midland’s team in advancing the exploration of the project”. Mr. Dufresne added “The James Bay Niobium project remains our core project and we continue to hold discussions with the local community members, government officials and will maintain ours efforts to engage with the MCFN leadership.”
This press release was prepared by Claude Dufresne, P. Eng., mining engineer and Qualified Person as defined by NI 43-101. The transaction is subject to TSX Venture Exchange acceptance.
About NioBay Metals Inc.
NioBay Metals Inc. is a mining exploration company holding a 100% interest in the James Bay Niobium property in Ontario, Canada and a 72.5% interest in the Crevier niobium/tantalum resource in Québec, Canada. The Company is also actively reviewing the potential of other mineral properties, including the La Peltrie property, and properties in Quebec jointly held with SOQUEM.
Cautionary Statement
Certain statements contained in this press release constitute forward looking information under the provisions of Canadian securities laws. Forward-looking information involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the Company's actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by forward-looking statements. Forward looking information contained in this press release includes statements with respect to the acquisition of an interest in the La Peltrie project and the potential mineralization and geological merits of the La Peltrie project. These statements are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties including, without limitation: risks and uncertainties relating to the interpretation of geological data; the possibility that future exploration results will not be consistent with the Company's expectations or with the results obtained by Detour Gold; risks related to the ability to obtain financing needed to fund the exercise of the option and the exploration and development of the project; market conditions and volatility and global economic conditions; and several risks related to the nature of mineral exploration and development. Such statements reflect the Company's views as at the date of this press release. The Company does not intend and does not assume any obligation, to update these forward-looking statements and information, except as required by law.
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
For more information, contact:
Claude Dufresne, P.Eng. President & CEO NioBay Metals Inc. Tel.: 514 866-6500, Ext. 2221
Email: cdufresne@niobaymetals.com Website: www.niobaymetals.com
LATEST MEETING AT MOOSE CREE FIRST NATION:
Consent required to develop Moose Cree land says chief
By Alan S. Hale, Cornwall Standard-Freeholder
Tuesday, August 23, 2016 7:19:46 EDT PM
Moose Cree Chief Patricia Faries reaffirms the Homeland Declaration over her First Nation's territory along with members of her band council on Tuesday.
Moose Cree Chief Patricia Faries reaffirms the Homeland Declaration over her First Nation's territory along with members of her band council on Tuesday.
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The newly elected chief and council of the Moose Cree First Nation held a press conference in Timmins on Tuesday to declare publicly – in no uncertain terms – that their traditional territory and the resources within it belonged to their people. Not only that, but anyone looking to develop it would need to get prior consent from the Moose Cree people as a whole, not just the band administration.
After a short ceremony performed by an elder, Chief Patricia Faries stood up and officially reaffirmed her First Nation's declaration that a large swath of land along the southern shore of James Bay and for several hundred kilometres inland is their homeland since time immemorial, and so is theirs by right. The original Homeland Declaration was made in 2008.
“We the Moose Cree people are the original people of this land; the Creator has given us this land as our home. We are Indigenous to this land and we have an inherent right to this land ... a right no other government can take from us,” affirmed Chief Faries.
The Moose Cree have a sacred duty to protect that land, continued Faries, as well a treaty with settlers that guarantees that they would always be able to live on and harvest from their land.
“Today, our homeland is being threatened by resource development, including mining, forestry, hydro development and wind energy,” said Faries. “We have long been generous to the newcomers, but the time has come to remind everyone that this is our homeland.
“We are not opposed to all development, but you must get our consent prior to any development occurring in our homeland. We want to implement the spirit of our treaty so we can benefit from the resources in our land and continue as its guardians.”
By renewing the Homeland Declaration, Faires said she hopes to lay the groundwork for the rest of the work during term as chief.
“For me, it's critical that I set the stage for the work that will be going on for the next four years. It's also important for us as a Nation – as a sovereign nation – that we move forward from the last declaration 2008 to 2016,” explained the chief. “The world is such a changing place and we need to keep reasserting ourselves because we're in such a dynamic time right now.”
One of the most important parts of the declaration for non-Indigenous communities is the Moose Cree's insistence that all resource projects within their considerable territory receive consent from their community.
Under the Canadian constitution, federal and provincial governments have a duty to consult First Nations, but not to obtain their consent. On the other hand, the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People -- which the Liberal federal government said it would adopt – does stipulate that informed prior consent must be obtain when making decisions that affect Indigenous people.
Either way, it has become standard practice in many cases – even for private companies – to enter into lengthy negotiations with First Nations to obtain some form of consent before going ahead with a new project. But usually, these negotiations are conducted with the band government.
During her run to be elected chief, Faries promised that there would be increased community participation in important decisions, including those regarding resource development. Proposals for projects will now be put to a vote within the Moose Cree and will only be allowed to go ahead if it receives majority approval.
Technically, said Faries, the rules have required that the Moose Cree put such decisions to a vote for years. When asked if those rules had been followed by her predecessor, Norm Hardisty Jr., she could not comment.
“I don't know about Mr. Hardisty, but what I'm saying is those rules will be revived if they haven't been followed,” she confirmed.
On the wall behind the chief and band councilors during their press conference were maps that showed the territory being claimed by the Moose Cree as their exclusive homeland.
Made up of 63 family areas, the Moose Cree territory follows the Moose River's watershed for hundreds of kilometres inland as far south as Kapuskasing.
According to the Moose Cree's director of lands and resources, Jack Rickard, the boundaries of the First Nation's territory is based on several years of painstaking historical research.
“The information that was gathered indicated that we had a presence out in the land, as shown on the declaration map, since time immemorial. We have collected data on burial sites, spiritual sites and we identified areas where we interacted with the fish, the animals, and the water,” explained Rickard. “All 63 areas have value to them, and we have have camps in the territory that are still active today.”
But despite the declaration and the evidence that the Moose Cree says backs up their exclusive claim to the region, the lawsuit launched by the Quebec-based Grand Council of Crees claiming rights and title to portions of that same territory cast a shadow over the meeting on Tuesday.
Faries shot down all questions about the Quebec Cree's lawsuit, which seeks to have them granted shared rights and title over a portion of land on the Ontario side of the border running from James Bay down to Lake Abitibi – they too claim evidence shows they have used for thousands of years.
Faries said that being only two weeks into her mandate, she and her council had not arrived at a decision on how to approach the problem posed by the Quebec Cree's lawsuit.
But the Homeland Declaration seems to effectively guarantee that there will be a conflict with the Council of Crees.
In the past, the Moose Cree were adamant that the Quebec Cree had no claim to territory on the Ontario side of the border, yet the maps at Tuesday's declaration showed the territory being claimed as their homeland at Tuesday's meeting extends into Quebec.
So now both groups are claiming territory in each other's provinces.
While the Quebec Cree say they are willing to accept shared rights and title over the region, the Moose Cree have so far refused. When The Daily Press asked Faries if she might reconsider that position, she again said she was not ready to discuss the issue.
HELP IN EDUCATING OF NIOBIUM MINING
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Niobium - Nb
Chemical properties of niobium - Health effects of niobium - Environmental effects of niobium
Atomic number 41
Atomic mass 92.91 g.mol -1
Electronegativity according to Pauling unknown
Density 8.4 g.cm-3 at 20°C
Melting point 2410 °C
Boiling point 5100 °C
Vanderwaals radius 0.143 nm
Ionic radius 0.070 nm (+5) ; 0.069 nm (+4)
Isotopes 14
Electronic shell [ Kr ] 4d4 5s1
Energy of first ionization 652 kJ.mol -1
Discovered by: Charles Hatchett 1801
Niobium - Nb
Niobium is a rare, soft, malleable, ductile, gray-white metal. It has a body-centered cubic crystalline structure and in its physical and chemical properties it resembles tantalum. It must be placed in a protective atmosphere when processed at even moderate temperatures because it tends to react with oxygen, carbon, the halogens, nitrogen, and sulfur. The metal is inert to acids, even to aqua regia at room temperatures, but is attacked by hot, concentrated acids, and expecially by alkalis and oxidizing agents.
Applications
Niobium is used for the production of high-temperature-resistant alloys and special stainless steels. Small amounts of niobium impart greater strenght to other metals, especially those that are exposed to low temperatures. Niobium carbide is used in cutting tools. It is used in stainless steel alloys for nuclear reactors, jets, missiles, cutting tools, pipelines, super magnets and welding rods.
Niobium-tin and niobium-titanium alloys are used as wires for superconducting magnets capable of producing exceedingly strong magnetic fields. Niobium is also used its pure form to make superconducting accelerating structures for particle accelerators. Niobium alloys are used in surgical implants because they do not react with human tissue.
Niobium in the environment
Plants generally show only traces of niobium and many have none at all, although some mosses and lichens can contain 0.45 ppm. However, plant growing near niobium deposits can accumulate the metal to levels above 1 ppm.
Niobium was mined chifely as columbite, and is formerly known as colombium (Cb). Another mined metal is pyrochlore and this is now the most important. The main mining areas are Brazil, which produce more than 85% on the world's niobium, Zaire, Russia, Nigeria and Canada. World production is around 25.000 tonnes per year. The amount of unmined reserves is not known, but there are extensive deposits of pytochlore.
Health effects of niobium
Niobium and its compounds may be toxic (niobium dust causes eye and skin irritation) , but there are no reports of human being poisoned by it. Apart from measuring its concentration, no research on niobium in humans has been undertaken.
Niobium, when inhaled, is retained mainly in the lungs, and secondarily in bones. It interferes with calcium as an activator of enzyme systems. In laboratory animals, inhalation of niobium nitride and/or pentoxide leads to scarring of the lungs at exposure levels of 40 mg/m3.
Environmental effects of niobium
No negative environmental effects have been reported.
Read more: www.lenntech.com/periodic/elements/nb.htm#Niobium#ixzz4qmIbiaGj
EDUCATION - HOPE - UNDERSTANDING - POSSILITY THINKING!
From: Robert Tatge <robtat@peoplepc.com>
To: "bmauro.mpp.co@liberal.ola.org" <bmauro.mpp.co@liberal.ola.org>
Subject: MINING NIOBIUM,
Date: Aug 22, 2017 11:05 AM
Hon Bill Mauro, MPP (Thunder Bay—Atikokan)
Question on a meeting between interested parties on the permit to mine Niobium in Lower James Bay Area.
I believe if you put the right people together, great results can come from it. Assuring evoriormental safety and
Social improvement for the commuty. Education could protect both parties plus put Canada in a positive outlook!
POSSIBLITY THINKING!
Robert Tatge
Sent from Mail for Windows 10
IS THIER ANY THING WE CAN DO?[/b]
In a statement to the Star, Northern Development and Mines Minister Bill Mauro said his government “will continue to work with the company and Moose Cree First Nation regarding this exploration permit application. Any potential impacts that are identified will be considered in a future permitting decision.”
Moose Cree Chief Patricia Faries says her community is united in its opposition to the project.
“The South Bluff Creek is highly used by our members and has camps all along it. You can still drink the water from the creek and the sensitive wetland area supports brook trout, moose, black bear and boreal caribou,” Faries wrote in a letter to Premier Kathleen Wynne in May.
“Families that occupy the area are united in their opposition to this project. Its protection is also of paramount importance to our people,” she said.
Her letter and a band council resolution rejecting the project have been posted on the First Nation’s website and Facebook page.
In a statement Natural Resources and Forestry Minister Kathryn McGarry added that her ministry has met with Moose Cree First Nation and “recognizes the importance” of the two watersheds to the community.
“The (Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry) supports the participation of Indigenous groups and communities in natural resource management which is why the ministry has taken steps to protect areas of interest to Moose Cree First Nation in the past and is interested in pursuing a dialogue with Moose Cree First Nation to further these opportunities in a balanced approach. ”
NioBay Metals Inc. has applied for a drilling permit to continue exploration work on its mining claim near the South Bluff Creek, at the heart of Moose Cree First Nation's traditional territory. Chief Patricia Faries says you can still drink from the creek, which supports brook trout, moose and black bears.
NioBay Metals Inc. has applied for a drilling permit to continue exploration work on its mining claim near the South Bluff Creek, at the heart of Moose Cree First Nation's traditional territory. Chief Patricia Faries says you can still drink from the creek, which supports brook trout, moose and black bears. (Paul Chakasim)
Meanwhile, Dufresne said the mine would bring more benefit than risk to Moose Cree First Nation, including jobs for Moose Cree members and a partnership agreement for the First Nation.
The mining claim is about 40 km south of Moose Factory, where Moose Cree First Nation is based. Dufresne said the footprint of a future mine would be smaller than the Niobec niobium mine in Quebec and a fraction of the size of the Detour gold mine near the southeastern edge of Moose Cree’s traditional territory.
“The risks associated with niobium processing are very, very low,” he added, noting the Niobec mine in Quebec has been operating for 40 years with no environmental issues.
Niobium doesn’t require toxic chemicals for processing, unlike gold processing, which often involves cyanide, and the mine could recycle most of its water, limiting its discharge to close to zero, he told the Star.
When asked about effluent reports from the Quebec Niobec mine in 2013, which show it released some amounts of arsenic, zinc, copper and nitrogen, though at levels below regulated limits, Dufresne said it’s “too early to say which elements will be discharged.”
“However, I would like to note that even drinking water contained minerals,” he said.
Right now, NioBay is focused on finalizing exploration work to validate the resource. But a presentation to investors on its website shows NioBay was hoping for mine construction by 2020 and production by 2021. The company is estimating a mine life of 25 to 30 years.
“Obviously now everything will be postponed until we can get some support from the Moose Cree,” Dufresne said.
“We obviously want to make sure that the project is well known and after that if the community as a whole is against it, well then, obviously we won’t be able to build a mine – but we haven’t reached that stage yet,” he said.
Moose Cree First Nation, however, seems resolute.
“It is not a matter of our community needing more time to better understand the economics of the project. Moose Cree will not allow any industrial development here ever,” Faries wrote in her letter to Wynne.
“Our ancestors have lived on this land since time immemorial, drawing the animals, fish and plants for our sustenance. We are charged by the Creator with the sacred duty of preserving and protecting the land including its waters for our future generations.”
Moose Cree’s opposition to development in this area is nothing new and their right to reject the mine should be respected, said Anna Baggio, the director of conservation planning for Wildlands League, the Ontario chapter of CPAWS.
Moose Cree declared the North French River watershed protected in 2002 and rejected a similar drilling proposal in the South Bluff Creek watershed by the mining claim’s previous owner in 2003 — 13 years before NioBay acquired the claim.
“NioBay should have done their due diligence and checked with the community before they purchased that property because if they had checked with Moose Cree, Moose Cree could have told them that they had said no to drilling before,” Baggio said.
Moose Cree say damage from exploration work in the 1960s, which was undertaken without the First Nation’s consent, is still visible on the landscape and Baggio is concerned that a mine would cause permanent damage to the ecosystem.
“These are very sensitive wetlands, it’s cold and the growing season is very short, the land does not restore itself,” she said.
“There are certain places where mining just shouldn’t happen, and this is just one of those places.”
Wildlands League and 11 other environmental organizations have thrown their weight behind Moose Cree First Nation’s call for protection of these lands and waterways.
In an open letter to Wynne in June, they noted the watersheds not only provide critical habitat for migratory birds, fish and threatened boreal caribou, the boreal forest serves as a vital carbon sink.
Protecting these areas could help Canada meet its international climate and biodiversity targets, they said.
Canada has committed to reduce emissions to 30 per cent below 2005 levels by 2030 and, under the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity, to protect 17 per cent of its lands and inland waters by 2020. With three years left to reach its goal Canada is lagging behind other G7 countries, a CPAWS report released last week said.
Only Canada and the U.S. have not yet met the 17 per cent target, but the U.S., which has protected 13 per cent of its territory, is ahead of Canada, which has protected 11 per cent. Germany meanwhile is leading the pack with protection for 37.8 per cent of its lands and inland waters.
GET TO KNOW ?
07/30/17--04:00: Battle brewing over niobium mine bid near James Bay
A battle is brewing just south of James Bay between Moose Cree First Nation and a resource company that wants to develop the world’s next niobium mine in the heart of its traditional territory.
For now, NioBay Metal Inc. wants a drilling permit to confirm the results of an exploration program undertaken in the 1960s. Down the road, the company has plans to develop an underground mine to produce niobium, a metal that helps make lighter, stronger steel.
NioBay says the mine will cause minimal environmental damage and offers big benefits for Moose Cree, but the First Nation fears otherwise. The proposed mine site sits near the shore of the South Bluff Creek, a culturally significant area for Moose Cree members that borders the North French River Watershed, a region they consider protected. Now, they want the province to protect it too.
The company’s President and CEO Claude Dufresne, meanwhile, said Moose Cree members aren’t in a position to make a decision about the project because NioBay hasn’t been allowed to make its pitch in the community.
From a global economic perspective niobium is critical, he said.
The metal is used in the construction of cars, high rises, bridges, jet engines, and MRIs, but most of the production comes from only three mines in the world – one in Quebec and two in Brazil. Its significance to the U.S. became clear in 2010, when it appeared more than once in a diplomatic cable, leaked by WikiLeaks, outlining 300 foreign infrastructure and resource sites considered critical to U.S. interests.
If NioBay’s James Bay project proceeds the mine will be built in the heart of Moose Cree’s homeland.
To date, the province has protected 1,583 sq. km of the North French River Watershed from development. Moose Cree wants that protection extended to cover the remaining 5,080 sq. km of watershed still open to mining as well as the South Bluff Creek Watershed, which lies right next door.
Stuck in the middle, the Government of Ontario has put NioBay’s application on hold, leaving Moose Cree and NioBay to wait for a final decision.
In a statement to the Star, Northern Development and Mines Minister Bill Mauro said his government “will continue to work with the company and Moose Cree First Nation regarding this exploration permit application. Any identified potential impacts will be considered in a future permitting decision.”
Moose Cree Chief Patricia Faries says her community is united in its opposition to the project.
“The South Bluff Creek is highly used by our members and has camps all along it. You can still drink the water from the creek and the sensitive wetland area supports brook trout, moose, black bear and boreal caribou,” Faries wrote in a letter to Premier Kathleen Wynne in May.
“Families that occupy the area are united in their opposition to this project. Its protection is also of paramount importance to our people,” she said.
Her letter and a band council resolution rejecting the project have been posted on the First Nation’s website and Facebook page.
In a statement Natural Resources and Forestry Minister Kathryn McGarry added that her ministry has met with Moose Cree First Nation and “recognizes the importance” of the two watersheds to the community.
“The (Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry) supports the participation of Indigenous groups and communities in natural resource management which is why the ministry has taken steps to protect areas of interest to Moose Cree First Nation in the past and is interested in pursuing a dialogue with Moose Cree First Nation to further these opportunities in a balanced approach.”
Meanwhile, Dufresne said the mine would bring more benefit than risk to Moose Cree First Nation – including jobs for Moose Cree members and a partnership agreement for the First Nation.
The mining claim is about 40 km south of Moose Factory, where Moose Cree First Nation is based. Dufresne said the footprint of a future mine would be smaller than the Niobec niobium mine in Quebec and a fraction of the size of the Detour gold mine near the southeastern edge of Moose Cree’s traditional territory.
“The risks associated with niobium processing are very, very low,” he added, noting the Niobec mine in Quebec has been operating for 40 years with no environmental issues.
Niobium doesn’t require toxic chemicals for processing, unlike gold processing, which often involves cyanide, and the mine could recycle most of its water, limiting its discharge to close to zero, he told the Star
When asked about effluent reports from the Quebec Niobec mine in 2013, which show it released some amount of arsenic, zinc, copper and nitrogen, though at levels below regulated limits, Dufresne said it’s “too early to say which elements will be discharged.”
“However, I would like to note that even drinking water contained minerals,” he said.
Right now, NioBay is focused on finalizing exploration work to validate the resource. But a presentation to investors on its website shows NioBay was hoping for mine construction by 2020 and production by 2021. The company is estimating a mine life of 25-30 years.
“Obviously now everything will be postponed until we can get some support from the Moose Cree,” Dufresne said.
“We obviously want to make sure that the project is well known and after that if the community as a whole is against it, well then, obviously we won’t be able to build a mine – but we haven’t reached that stage yet,” he said.
Moose Cree First Nation, however, seems resolute.
“It is not a matter of our community needing more time to better understand the economics of the project. Moose Cree will not allow any industrial development here ever,” Faries wrote in her letter to Wynne.
“Our ancestors have lived on this land since time immemorial drawing the animals, fish and plants for our sustenance. We are charged by the Creator with the sacred duty of preserving and protecting the land including its waters for our future generations.”
Moose Cree’s opposition to development in this area is nothing new and their right to reject the mine should be respected, said Anna Baggio, the director of conservation planning for Wildlands League, the Ontario chapter of CPAWS.
Moose Cree declared the North French Watershed protected in 2002 and rejected a similar drilling proposal in the South Bluff Creek Watershed by the mining claim’s previous owner in 2003 – thirteen years before NioBay acquired the claim.
“NioBay should have done their due diligence and checked with the community before they purchased that property because if they had checked with Moose Cree, Moose Cree could have told them that they had said no to drilling before,” Baggio said.
Damage from the 1960’s exploration work, which was undertaken without Moose Cree’s consent, is still visible on the landscape and Baggio fears a mine will cause permanent damage to the ecosystem.
“These are very sensitive wetlands, it’s cold and the growing season is very short, the land does not restore itself,” she said.
“There are certain places where mining just shouldn’t happen and this is just one of those places.”
Wildlands League and 11 other environmental organizations have thrown their weight behind Moose Cree First Nation’s call for protection of these lands and waterways.
In an open letter to Wynne in June, they noted the watersheds not only provide critical habitat for migratory birds, fish, and threatened boreal caribou, the boreal forest serves as a vital carbon sink.
Protecting these areas could help Canada meet its international climate and biodiversity targets, they said.
Canada has committed to reduce emissions to 30 per cent below 2005 levels by 2030 and, under the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity, to protect 17 per cent of its lands and inland waters by 2020. With three years left to reach its goal Canada is lagging behind other G7 countries, a CPAWS report released last week said.
Only Canada and the U.S. have not yet met the 17 per cent target, but the U.S., which has protected 13 per cent of its territory, is ahead of Canada, which has protected 11 per cent. Germany meanwhile is leading the pack with protection for 37.8 per cent of its lands and inland waters.
Robert Tatge when signing a paper and you , object, sign your, Name, then, "without prejudice". BELIEF, IS UNDERSTAND THE ANSWERS:
[/color]
Protect Wild Spaces: Stop Northern Niobium Mine
by: Amelia Meister
target: Premier Kathleen Wynne
159 SUPPORTERS
1,000 GOAL
The Moose Cree First Nation, in the far North of Ontario, still drinks water fresh from the South Bluff Creek. This pristine creek is a site of cultural and environmental importance, offering a clean water source for black bears, the threatened woodland caribou and migratory birds.
Now, this precious boreal forest is being threatened with mining. NioBay, a niobium mining company, is seeking permits to mine around the South Bluff Creek, despite the Moose Cree's vocal opposition.
The mine would strip precious boreal forests and threaten the health and cleanliness of the South Bluff Creek. Not only that, the Moose Cree will have a place of significant cultural importance destroyed.
The mining corporation claims that it will have little impact on the creek and offer economic opportunity for the Moose Cree. However, another niobium mine in Quebec was reported to be releasing toxic arsenic, zinc and copper into the surrounding area.
This mine will cause nothing but destruction and must be stopped. The Moose Cree are already working hard to protect their traditional territory and with your added pressure we can send a louder message to Premier Wynne that this mine must not go through.
Sign today to stand with the Moose Cree to protect pristine boreal forests and water!
Like
· Reply · 1 min · Edited
Manage
.
Robert Tatge, understand is judging both sides, a lot of people drink and wash from purified river waters, and so much more!
[color=red] BELIEF, IS UNDERSTAND THE ANSWERS: [/color]
Protect Wild Spaces: Stop Northern Niobium Mine
by: Amelia Meister
target: Premier Kathleen Wynne
159 SUPPORTERS
1,000 GOAL
The Moose Cree First Nation, in the far North of Ontario, still drinks water fresh from the South Bluff Creek. This pristine creek is a site of cultural and environmental importance, offering a clean water source for black bears, the threatened woodland caribou and migratory birds.
Now, this precious boreal forest is being threatened with mining. NioBay, a niobium mining company, is seeking permits to mine around the South Bluff Creek, despite the Moose Cree's vocal opposition.
The mine would strip precious boreal forests and threaten the health and cleanliness of the South Bluff Creek. Not only that, the Moose Cree will have a place of significant cultural importance destroyed.
The mining corporation claims that it will have little impact on the creek and offer economic opportunity for the Moose Cree. However, another niobium mine in Quebec was reported to be releasing toxic arsenic, zinc and copper into the surrounding area.
This mine will cause nothing but destruction and must be stopped. The Moose Cree are already working hard to protect their traditional territory and with your added pressure we can send a louder message to Premier Wynne that this mine must not go through.
Sign today to stand with the Moose Cree to protect pristine boreal forests and water!
QUESTION NEED TO BE ASKED OF OUR BROAD, IF THEY SAID "NO" TO THE PEOPLE WE PURCHASED THE LEASE, ARE WE SUEING?
Drilling Project Unanimously Rejected by Moose Cree Community calls on Ontario to withdraw the exploration permit
May 16, 2017
MOOSE FACTORY, ONTARIO- Moose Cree First Nation has unanimously rejected a drilling project in the heart of its Homeland and is calling on the Ontario government to respect its “Right to say NO”.
Ontario is telling the community a decision is expected at the end of the month. Moose Cree demands that Ontario withdraws the exploration permit.
Montreal-based Niobay Metals Inc (TSX-V: NBY) was informed last October that drilling would not be permitted in the Moose Cree Homeland near the South Bluff Creek area. This is a sensitive wetland area and Moose Cree has identified it as important for water as well as a highly used cultural area for its members. The creek and the North French River Watershed are located in the heart of the Homeland and are of great cultural and environmental significance to the Moose Cree people. The community rejected a similar project in 2003 when previous owners of lease CLM-11 tried to initiate a drilling project in the South Bluff Creek area.
“We told the previous owners NO back then and we are telling the new leaseholders NO now,” said Chief Patricia Faries. “The new leaseholders could have saved themselves a lot of work and money if they had done due diligence and checked with us first before purchasing this lease in 2016. This is not an area open to exploration and mining development in our territory,” Chief Faries added.
This particular area, South Bluff Creek, along with the North French River Watershed which is also threatened by the project, is not open to exploration, mining or any kind of industrial development the community has declared.
Moose Cree is working on a Homeland Protection Plan. This includes a restoration plan for areas already impacted from the heavy footprint of industrial development. The area Niobay wants to drill in had a drilling program on it almost 50 years without consulting Moose Cree. The effects from that historical program are still visible on Google Earth Satellite Maps today and were observed on a recent fly over by Moose Cree staff.
“The land is scarred and has not healed even after 50 years,” Faries added. South Bluff Creek is in the Hudson Bay Lowlands, a sensitive wetland ecosystem that is cold, wet and has a very short growing season.
To add further insult to injury, after the community informed Niobay that its project was unanimously rejected, the company did not change its plan. Instead it continued to advance the project by:
1. Publishing a timeline on its website in February 2017 for full mine construction (2020) and production (2021) to potential investors; 2. Failing to disclose to potential investors in its “forward-looking statements” that Moose Cree had unanimously rejected the project and therefore the project did not have the consent of Moose Cree; 3. Promoting the project at the Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada (PDAC) 2017 International Convention in Toronto in March with a booth and materials; 4. Setting up an Open House this week on May 17 in the municipality of Moosonee to promote the project. Chairman of the Board of Niobay, Serge Savard, former Montreal Canadiens hockey player, is being advertised as attending the open house to promote the project; and, 5. Using Moose Cree’s emblem (logo) without permission on materials thereby giving people the wrong impression that the community supports the project.
“It’s outrageous the way this company is conducting itself. It is very disrespectful,” Chief Faries said. “Moose Factory is a well-known hockey town but we do not welcome Serge Savard under these circumstances. It would be better for Niobay to listen to us and respect our laws,” Faries said.
“Moose Cree people are the original people of this land and the Creator has given us this land as our home. We have an inherent right to our Homeland that no other government can take from us,” Faries stated. “Our ancestors have lived on this land since time immemorial drawing the animals, fish and plants for our sustenance. You must get our consent prior to any development within our Homeland,” Faries said.
Moose Cree calls on the Ontario government to withdraw the exploration permit and to not renew the mining lease when it expires in 2018.
For more information please contact:
Chief Patricia Faries, Moose Cree First Nation, 705-658-4619 ext 250
Jeff Hunter, Moose Cree First Nation, 705-288-1163 mobile or jeff.hunter@moosecree.com
Copies of the Google Earth Satellite Maps are available.
Like with the pow-wow with the electoral dam, can a council be considered (NBY:CA) the CEO to mine NIOBIUM, the dam ended up a great asset:
“We recognized in order to capture some of these hydro-electric opportunities such as this, we need a new model in interfacing with first nations,” he said.
“It shifts us away from looking to those not-so-pleasant times of the past in terms of how first nations were treated with hydro-electric development.”
Some of the capital that the Moose Cree are putting into the project comes from settlements of claims dating back to when the first dams were constructed.
They flooded trap lines and displaced residents, Hunter said, and the claims for compensation had lingered until now. Other unsettled claims dated back to the terms of the original treaties signed with the Cree.
Money from the settlement of the claims will be rolled into the new partnership. The Cree will also be able to use income from the project to increase their equity stake to a maximum of 25 per cent.
Qualified local residents will also get preference for construction jobs, which will peak at 800.
The current project will not flood any new territory. One of the four generating stations, at Smoky Falls, will have to be rebuilt, but on the same footprint as the existing dam and station.
New units will be added to the existing Harmon, Kipling and Little Long stations, built in the 1960s and opened by former Ontario premier John Robarts.
Murphy said the project will boost the amount of clean power available during peak demand periods. It will also be available to complement the variable output of wind and solar generation.
The chief contractor for the project is a partnership between Peter Kiewit & Sons Co., and Leo Alarie and Sons, a unit of Aecon Infrastructure Group.
Murphy said OPG has signed an agreement with the Ontario Power Authority to buy the power from the project, but didn’t disclose the terms.
The Lower Mattagami power is not covered by the batch of renewable power contracts that were recently awarded by the power authority at prices significantly higher than current market leve
EDUCATE YOURYSELVES TO ACHEMENT THE BEST WAY OF DOING IMPROVEMENTS
YOU KNOWN FROM OTHERS, HYDROELECTRIC DAMS CAUSES MORE PROBLEM TO NATURE THRU TIME...
NOW YOU CAN GIVE A PERMIT TO START, MINING, NIOBIUM, WHICH IF YOU EDUCATE YOURSELF AND INCLUDED YOUR PEOPLE IN ALL ACTIONS, YOU WOULD HAVE AN ENVORIMENTAL GAIN...
ARTICLE:https://www.ontarionature.org/discover/resources/PDFs/reports/mining-in-ontario-web.pdf
INSIDER TRADES:
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All Insiders Activity for Niobay Metals Inc (NBY:CA)
$ 0.18 0.00 (0.00%) Volume: 0 11:50 AM EDT Aug 3, 2017
Name: All Bertoni, Carlos Bonneau, Jacques Boulay, Claude Branchaud, René David, Jean-Sébastien Dufresne, Claude Girard, Paul Armand Gobeil, Paul Krushnisky, Alain LaValliere, Robert Legault, Raymond Michaud, Claude Mitchell, Bruce Moreau, Dominique Rainville, Jean Savard, Serge Therrien, Yves William, Timothy Charles Transaction: All Types All Buys All Buys (exclude derivatives) All Sells All Sells (exclude derivatives) Acquisition by inheritance or disposition by bequest Acquisition or disposition (writing) of third party derivative Acquisition or disposition by gift Acquisition or disposition carried out privately Acquisition or disposition in the public market Acquisition or disposition pursuant to a take-over bid, merger or acquisition Acquisition or disposition under a prospectus Acquisition or disposition under a prospectus exemption Acquisition or disposition under a purchase/ownership plan Change in the nature of ownership Compensation for property Compensation for services Conversion or exchange Correction of information Exercise for cash Exercise of options Exercise of rights Exercise of third party derivative Exercise of warrants Expiration of options Expiration of rights Expiration of third party derivative Expiration of warrants Grant of options Grant of rights Grant of warrants Opening Balance-Initial SEDI Report Other Other settlement of third party derivative Redemption, retraction, cancellation, repurchase Short sale Stock dividend Stock split or consolidation
Date Name: Shares Transaction Value
06/26/17 Savard, Serge,
Director of Issuer 52,000 Acquisition or disposition in the public market at $0.18 - $0.18 per share. $9,360
06/23/17 Savard, Serge,
Director of Issuer 10,000 Acquisition or disposition in the public market at $0.17 - $0.17 per share. $1,700
06/21/17 Savard, Serge,
Director of Issuer 18,500 Acquisition or disposition in the public market at $0.17 - $0.17 per share. $3,145
06/20/17 Savard, Serge,
Director of Issuer 101,000 Acquisition or disposition in the public market at $0.17 - $0.17 per share. $17,170
06/19/17 Savard, Serge,
Director of Issuer 18,500 Acquisition or disposition in the public market at $0.17 - $0.17 per share. $3,145
04/26/17 Dufresne, Claude,
Director of Issuer 2,000 Acquisition or disposition in the public market at $0.76 - $0.76 per share. $1,520
03/06/17 David, Jean-Sébastien,
Director of Issuer 3,820 Acquisition or disposition in the public market at $0.81 - $0.81 per share. $3,094
02/28/17 David, Jean-Sébastien,
Director of Issuer 8,000 Acquisition or disposition in the public market at $0.775 - $0.775 per share. $6,200
01/12/17 Dufresne, Claude,
Director of Issuer 21,000 Acquisition or disposition in the public market at $0.77 - $0.77 per share. $16,170
01/12/17 Dufresne, Claude,
Director of Issuer 21,000 Acquisition or disposition in the public market at $0.77 - $0.77 per share. $16,170
12/21/16 David, Jean-Sébastien,
Director of Issuer 13,975 Acquisition or disposition in the public market at $0.77 - $0.77 per share. $10,761
12/20/16 Rainville, Jean,
Director of Issuer 10,000 Acquisition or disposition carried out privately at $0.85 - $0.85 per share. $8,500
12/20/16 Rainville, Jean,
Director of Issuer 10,000 Acquisition or disposition carried out privately at $0.85 - $0.85 per share. $8,500
12/19/16 Rainville, Jean,
Director of Issuer 10,000 Acquisition or disposition under a prospectus exemption at $0.85 - $0.85 per share. $8,500
12/19/16 Savard, Serge,
Director of Issuer 58,824 Acquisition or disposition under a prospectus exemption at $0.85 - $0.85 per share. $50,000
Page 1 of 19 Next Page
View Section 16 Filings (Forms 3,4,5) for NBY:CA Insider Summary For NBY:CA
Copyright © QuoteMedia. Data delayed 15 minutes unless otherwise indicated (View delay times for all exchanges). RT Real-Time, RTB Real-Time BATS BZX Price/Quote; not sourced from all markets, RTN Real-Time NASDAQ Price/Quote; not sourced from all markets, EOD End Of Day, PD Previous Day. H Halted, r Restriction started today, r Restriction carried over from prior day . Market Data powered by QuoteMedia. Insiders by Morningstar (USA) and SEDI(CDN). Terms of Use.
INSIDERS...[/b]
Canadian Filings
SEDI Insider Trades
Last 3 Mo Last 12 Mo
Number of Insider Trades 5 23
Number of Buys 5 21
Number of Sells 0 2
Net Activity 200,000 424,345
Last 15 Trades Shares Bought Shares Sold
Savard, Serge 52,000
Savard, Serge 10,000
Savard, Serge 18,500
Savard, Serge 101,000
Savard, Serge 18,500
Dufresne, Claude 2,000
David, Jean-Sébastien 3,820
David, Jean-Sébastien 8,000
Dufresne, Claude 21,000
Dufresne, Claude 21,000
David, Jean-Sébastien 13,975
Dufresne, Claude 500
Dufresne, Claude 3,000
Dufresne, Claude 2,000
David, Jean-Sébastien 4,550
View Section 16 Filings (Forms 3,4,5) for NBY:CA All Insiders Activity for NBY:CA
Copyright © QuoteMedia. Data delayed 15 minutes unless otherwise indicated (View delay times for all exchanges). RT Real-Time, RTB Real-Time BATS BZX Price/Quote; not sourced from all markets, RTN Real-Time NASDAQ Price/Quote; not sourced from all markets, EOD End Of Day, PD Previous Day. H Halted, r Restriction started today, r Restriction carried over from prior day . Market Data powered by QuoteMedia. Insiders by Morningstar (USA) and SEDI(CDN). Terms of Use.
WHAT PART OF "NO" DO WE NOT UNDERSTAND?[/b]
Breaking News
NioBay Metals Inc., the company that applied for the permit, has announced that the Ontario government has put the issuance of the permit on hold, pending consultations with the Moose Cree First Nation, which unanimously opposes the project.
According to the company, the Ontario Ministry of Northern Development and Mines told it that the Ministry is organizing a meeting with representatives of the Moose Cree to address any concerns that they may have about the drilling, which is part of the James Bay Niobium Project.
Nature Canada is pleased to see the government recognize that it should not issue the permit without further consultation with the Moose Cree. However, if the Moose Cree reject the project after this extra consultation, Nature Canada’s view is that the permit application should be denied.
Further, given the ecological significance of this area, Nature Canada continues to propose that the Ontario government should work with the Moose Cree to permanently protect, rather than exploit, the North French River, the nearby South Bluff Creek, and surrounding lands.
Image of Elizabeth Harrison
Elizabeth Harrison
Law Student
The Ontario government will soon decide whether or not to issue a permit for drilling activities in the North French River watershed, which is just upstream from the community of Moosonee in Northern Ontario.
Nature Canada and other nature groups have written to Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne requesting that her government refrain from issuing this exploration permit for the James Bay Niobium Project. We also believe that the Ontario government should work with the Moose Cree First Nation to make sure these lands and waters are permanently protected.
Nature Canada supports a community’s right to say no to mineral exploration and drilling projects that harm human and ecosystem health. We also support the Treaty, inherent and international rights of Indigenous peoples to protect their lands and water. The Moose Cree First Nation made their opposition to the project clear in 2016 and again a few weeks ago. They rejected a similar project in 2003. The Ontario government should respect the Moose Cree’s position and reject this permit if it is really committed to reconciling relationships with Indigenous peoples and working with the federal government to address the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP). Project approval would be contrary to these goals, as it would likely add further strain to the relationship between the province and the Moose Cree and is contrary to article 32 2. of UNDRIP, which maintains that “[s]tates shall consult and cooperate in good faith with the indigenous peoples…in order to obtain their free and informed consent prior to the approval of any project affecting their lands or territories and other resources, particularly in connection with the development, utilization or exploitation of mineral, water or other resources”. Furthermore, if the project goes ahead, it would violate the community’s laws and hinder its plan to protect the area, which includes efforts to remedy the existing impacts of past industrial activity. This is contrary to UNDRIP as it emphasizes the importance of recognizing the laws of Indigenous peoples in several provisions and article 4 of UNDRIP emphasizes the importance of self-determination and autonomy.caribou bull Wayne Sawchuck
Nature Canada is also concerned about how the proposed drilling will impact the nearby North French River and South Bluff Creek, two critical sources of clean drinking water for the Moose Cree and this part of the province. South Bluff Creek is a tributary of the North French River, flowing across the Moose Cree First Nation Reserve #68. Moreover, these waterways represent an important source of aquatic habitat.
The land near the proposed drilling site is also ecologically significant. It provides habitat for threatened Boreal Caribou, migratory birds and other wildlife. Further, both the North French River and South Bluff Creek watersheds contain wetlands, which act as carbon sinks. The government should aim to preserve carbon sinks as they are important for reducing global greenhouse gases to combat climate change.
Given the cultural and environmental significance of this area, Nature Canada is also urging the Wynne government to work with the Moose Cree to permanently protect the North French River, the South Bluff Creek and surrounding lands.
Permanent protection would be consistent with Ontario’s commitment, along with other provinces and territories, to the “Pathways to Target 1” process for meeting Canada’s international obligations under the Convention on Biological Diversity. Canada’s Target 1 goal under the Convention is to protect 17% of land and inland waters in Canada by 2020 (Ontario is currently at 10.3%). Permanent protection would also go towards meeting requirements for critical habitat protection under Canada’s Species at Risk Act for boreal caribou.
Please contact Premier Wynne’s office to let her know that that the Ontario government should not issue this permit, and that it should work towards permanently protecting the North French River watershed in collaboration with the Moose Cree First Nation.
EYES ON THE PROMBLEM
Battle brewing over niobium mine bid near James Bay – by Ainslie Cruickshank (Toronto Star – July 30, 2017)
July 31, 2017 in Aboriginal and Inuit Mining, Canadian Media Resource Articles, Mining Conflict and Opposition, Ontario Mining
https://www.thestar.com/
Moose Cree First Nation says protecting lands could help Canada meet climate, UN biodiversity commitments.
A battle is brewing just south of James Bay between Moose Cree First Nation and a resource company that wants to develop the world’s next niobium mine in the heart of its traditional territory.
For now, NioBay Metal Inc. wants a drilling permit to confirm the results of an exploration program undertaken in the 1960s. Down the road, the company has plans to develop an underground mine to produce niobium, a metal that helps make lighter, stronger steel.
NioBay says the mine will cause minimal environmental damage and offers big benefits for Moose Cree, but the First Nation fears otherwise. The proposed mine site sits near the shore of the South Bluff Creek, a culturally significant area for Moose Cree members that borders the North French River Watershed, a region they consider protected. Now, they want the province to protect it too.
The company’s President and CEO Claude Dufresne, meanwhile, said Moose Cree members aren’t in a position to make a decision about the project because NioBay hasn’t been allowed to make its pitch in the community. From a global economic perspective niobium is critical, he said.
The metal is used in the construction of cars, high rises, bridges, jet engines, and MRIs, but most of the production comes from only three mines in the world – one in Quebec and two in Brazil. Its significance to the U.S. became clear in 2010, when it appeared more than once in a diplomatic cable, leaked by WikiLeaks, outlining 300 foreign infrastructure and resource sites considered critical to U.S. interests.
For the rest of this article: https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2017/07/30/battle-brewing-over-niobium-mine-bid-near-james-bay.html
Building a nation of wealth thru mining and educated decisions
b]
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/sudbury/transparency-act-resource-company-payments-to-first-nations-unveiled-1.2861817
For the first time, the amount of money northeastern Ontario First Nations receive from agreements with private resource companies has been made public.
The figures were included in financial documents posted under the new First Nations Transparency Act.
Morning North
First Nations finances through Federal Transparency Act
Many bands have been reluctant to discuss specific figures in the past and the impact benefit agreements often prohibit the companies from discussing payment to neighbouring First Nations without band permission.
Some of the most surprising numbers in the newly released financial records are for Moose Cree First Nation on the James Bay Coast.
Its balance sheet shows $1.5 million coming from Detour Gold last year. Also listed under First Nation revenue is $3 million in company stock.
But it also shows Moose Cree losing $6.2 million last year in the sale of Detour Gold shares.
Repeated phone calls and emails to the First Nation's elected officials and administrative staff were not returned.
Most First Nations in northeastern Ontario do get some amount of money from a mining, forestry or power company.
All of the bands along the James Bay Coast receive money from DeBeers, for its Victor diamond mine near Attawapiskat.
Fort Albany received $544,000 under the DeBeers impact benefit agreement last year.
Chief Andrew Solomon said that money helps make up for what he described as chronic under-funding from the federal government.
"Does it make us rich? No. Keeps us afloat."
Helps to 'balance the books'
Many other First Nations run their own businesses.
A gas station run by Chapleau Cree First Nation made $2.8 million in sales last year, almost double the $1.3 million in federal funding the band receives.
"Very important," Chief Keeter Corston said of the gas bar, which made a profit of $150,000 last year. "That's why we balance our books. That's one of the reasons."
Some of the financial documents are not as clear on where the money comes from, listing multi-million-dollar figures under the vague category of "other revenue."
The documents posted under the new federal law also show that First Nations politicians in northeastern Ontario make significantly more than their municipal counterparts.
At the high end is Moose Cree First Nation, where chief Norm Hardisty makes $154,000 and even deputy chief Earl Cheechoo makes significantly more than the chiefs in other communities at $112,000.
Repeated calls and emails to Moose Cree were not returned.
Politicians' pay
But most First Nation chiefs in the northeast make between $50,000 and $80,0000, which is significantly more than mayors or reeves of similar sized municipalities.
At the bottom of the salary list is Matachewan First Nation, where the chief makes much less than her counterparts at $18,000 a year.
Band manager Pam Cormier says she believes First Nation politicians who work part-time are more focused on public service.
"And they don't expect to take advantage of the funds that belong to the band membership," said Cormier, adding that they also keep expenses low, by only travelling to meetings that are "important."
Last year, the average chief in the northeast was reimbursed $22,000 for travel and other expenses, which some bills reaching up over $50,000.
Many elected officials also have day jobs working in the band office, as a clerk, health director or economic development officer, so they get two paycheques.
This is strictly forbidden in municipalities as a conflict of interest, as well as in some First Nations, including Chapleau Cree.
"You're making decisions at the council level that has a lot to do with the job," said Chapleau Cree Chief Keeter Corston. "It's not good business."
Bring in environmental inspections on NIOBIUM MINE FOR "JOB WELL DONE".
Response of Environment Canada and the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency to Environmental Petition No. 216, concerning the Niocan Mining Project
Question 1: We are therefore asking Environment Canada and the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency to conduct a full environmental study, which is very much desired by the residents of Oka and its allies. If yes, when do you think the decision can be made?
Response: The Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency completed analysis of the Niocan project on March 18, 2002, under section 5 of the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act (CEAA). The analysis was based on the documents relating to the environmental assessment of the project, as well as the answers to our supplementary requests for information provided by the Niocan company’s consultant (Roche).
The Agency concluded that no environmental assessment was required under the CEAA, because Environment Canada, Health Canada, Natural Resources Canada, Fisheries and Oceans Canada and the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission confirmed the absence of a trigger.
Question 2: The Niocan company’s mining project will be on farmland crossed by Rousse Creek, which runs through Parc national d’Oka and empties into Grande Baie of Lac des Deux-Montagnes. The mining will cause Rousse Creek to swell and become warmer. That is on top of the 30 kg of uranium that will flow into it annually. What impact will this have on fauna and flora, particularly the various species of fish and threatened species, such as the Northern Map Turtle (“special concern species” status (2002), Schedule 1 of the Species at Risk Act) and the Lake Sturgeon (COSEWIC designation (2006) as a threatened species), which live in Rousse Creek and/or Grande Baie?
Response: This mine will be subject to the Metal Mining Effluent Regulations (the Regulations), as soon as the total flow of all effluents is greater than 50 cubic metres a day, from the first day of construction work on the main shaft for commercial mining of the ore. The Regulations, made under the Fisheries Act, establish deposit limits for concentrations of certain deleterious substances. They do not establish a limit for uranium, but uranium oxide is the precursor element of the radioactive sequence leading to production of radium-226, for which the Regulations establish a deposit limit.
The Regulations also establish limits for arsenic, copper, cyanide, lead, nickel, zinc, total suspended solids and pH. Moreover, they require that effluents not present any acute lethality for rainbow trout.
The mines to which the Regulations apply are also required to do environmental effects monitoring. The purpose of this monitoring is to assess the impact of mine effluents on the receiving aquatic environment, particularly with regard to fish, fish habitat and use of fishery resources.
As to your concerns about species at risk, it is important to note that all proponents are subject to Canadian federal and provincial laws on species at risk. The federal government is responsible for administration of the Species at Risk Act (SARA), which applies to federal lands.
The Northern Map Turtle, a species to which you refer, has special concern status under SARA, a status that does not necessitate any ban. It also has vulnerable species status under Quebec’s Act respecting threatened or vulnerable species. As the lands identified by the project proponents are not federal lands and the Northern Map Turtle is under provincial jurisdiction, its protection is a provincial government responsibility.
Question 3: This mining project, if it becomes a reality, is sure to have many repercussions, not only in the short and medium terms, but also, and above all, in the very long term. Also, since this mining project will end one day, what repercussions will this post-mining environment have for the flora and fauna in Rousse Creek and in Grande Baie of Lac des Deux-Montagnes?
Response: The Metal Mining Effluent Regulations will apply not only during the construction and mining phase, but also after the commercial mining ceases, for a period of at least three years following the closing of the mine. While the mine is subject to the Regulations, the proponent must comply with all requirements, including those relating to the environmental effects monitoring program as described above.
The mine operator will also have to comply with the regulatory requirements laid down under the provincial certificate of authorization, which includes a mine closing plan and other environmental requirements.
[b[color=red]]A battle is brewing just south of James Bay between Moose Cree First Nation and a resource company that wants to develop the world’s next niobium mine in the heart of its traditional territory.
[/color]
For now, NioBay Metal Inc. wants a drilling permit to confirm the results of an exploration program undertaken in the 1960s. Down the road, the company has plans to develop an underground mine to produce niobium, a metal that helps make lighter, stronger steel.
NioBay says the mine will cause minimal environmental damage and offers big benefits for Moose Cree, but the First Nation fears otherwise. The proposed mine site sits near the shore of South Bluff Creek, a culturally significant area for Moose Cree members that borders the North French River watershed, a region they consider protected. Now, they want the province of Ontario to protect it, too.
Company president and CEO Claude Dufresne said Moose Cree members aren’t in a position to make a decision about the project because NioBay hasn’t been allowed to make its pitch in the community.
From a global economic perspective niobium is critical, he said.
The metal is used in the construction of cars, highrises, bridges, jet engines and MRI machines, but most of the production comes from only three mines in the world — one in Quebec and two in Brazil. Its significance to the U.S. became clear in 2010, when it appeared more than once in a diplomatic cable, leaked by WikiLeaks, outlining 300 foreign infrastructure and resource sites considered critical to U.S. interests.
The North French River is one of the last major rivers in Moose Cree First Nation's traditional territory that remains untouched by development.
The North French River is one of the last major rivers in Moose Cree First Nation's traditional territory that remains untouched by development.
If NioBay’s James Bay project proceeds, the mine will be built in the heart of Moose Cree’s homeland in northern Ontario.
To date, the province has protected 1,583 square kilometres of the North French River watershed from development. Moose Cree wants that protection extended to cover the remaining 5,080 square kilometres of watershed still open to mining, as well as the South Bluff Creek watershed that lies next door.
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Stuck in the middle, the Ontario government has put NioBay’s application on hold, leaving Moose Cree and NioBay to wait for a final decision.
In a statement to the Star, Northern Development and Mines Minister Bill Mauro said his government “will continue to work with the company and Moose Cree First Nation regarding this exploration permit application. Any potential impacts that are identified will be considered in a future permitting decision.”
Moose Cree Chief Patricia Faries says her community is united in its opposition to the project.
“The South Bluff Creek is highly used by our members and has camps all along it. You can still drink the water from the creek and the sensitive wetland area supports brook trout, moose, black bear and boreal caribou,” Faries wrote in a letter to Premier Kathleen Wynne in May.
“Families that occupy the area are united in their opposition to this project. Its protection is also of paramount importance to our people,” she said.
Her letter and a band council resolution rejecting the project have been posted on the First Nation’s website and Facebook page.
In a statement Natural Resources and Forestry Minister Kathryn McGarry added that her ministry has met with Moose Cree First Nation and “recognizes the importance” of the two watersheds to the community.
“The (Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry) supports the participation of Indigenous groups and communities in natural resource management which is why the ministry has taken steps to protect areas of interest to Moose Cree First Nation in the past and is interested in pursuing a dialogue with Moose Cree First Nation to further these opportunities in a balanced approach. ”
NioBay Metals Inc. has applied for a drilling permit to continue exploration work on its mining claim near the South Bluff Creek, at the heart of Moose Cree First Nation's traditional territory. Chief Patricia Faries says you can still drink from the creek, which supports brook trout, moose and black bears.
NioBay Metals Inc. has applied for a drilling permit to continue exploration work on its mining claim near the South Bluff Creek, at the heart of Moose Cree First Nation's traditional territory. Chief Patricia Faries says you can still drink from the creek, which supports brook trout, moose and black bears. (Paul Chakasim)
Meanwhile, Dufresne said the mine would bring more benefit than risk to Moose Cree First Nation, including jobs for Moose Cree members and a partnership agreement for the First Nation.
The mining claim is about 40 km south of Moose Factory, where Moose Cree First Nation is based. Dufresne said the footprint of a future mine would be smaller than the Niobec niobium mine in Quebec and a fraction of the size of the Detour gold mine near the southeastern edge of Moose Cree’s traditional territory.
“The risks associated with niobium processing are very, very low,” he added, noting the Niobec mine in Quebec has been operating for 40 years with no environmental issues.
Niobium doesn’t require toxic chemicals for processing, unlike gold processing, which often involves cyanide, and the mine could recycle most of its water, limiting its discharge to close to zero, he told the Star.
When asked about effluent reports from the Quebec Niobec mine in 2013, which show it released some amounts of arsenic, zinc, copper and nitrogen, though at levels below regulated limits, Dufresne said it’s “too early to say which elements will be discharged.”
“However, I would like to note that even drinking water contained minerals,” he said.
Right now, NioBay is focused on finalizing exploration work to validate the resource. But a presentation to investors on its website shows NioBay was hoping for mine construction by 2020 and production by 2021. The company is estimating a mine life of 25 to 30 years.
“Obviously now everything will be postponed until we can get some support from the Moose Cree,” Dufresne said.
“We obviously want to make sure that the project is well known and after that if the community as a whole is against it, well then, obviously we won’t be able to build a mine – but we haven’t reached that stage yet,” he said.
Moose Cree First Nation, however, seems resolute.
“It is not a matter of our community needing more time to better understand the economics of the project. Moose Cree will not allow any industrial development here ever,” Faries wrote in her letter to Wynne.
“Our ancestors have lived on this land since time immemorial, drawing the animals, fish and plants for our sustenance. We are charged by the Creator with the sacred duty of preserving and protecting the land including its waters for our future generations.”
Moose Cree’s opposition to development in this area is nothing new and their right to reject the mine should be respected, said Anna Baggio, the director of conservation planning for Wildlands League, the Ontario chapter of CPAWS.
Moose Cree declared the North French River watershed protected in 2002 and rejected a similar drilling proposal in the South Bluff Creek watershed by the mining claim’s previous owner in 2003 — 13 years before NioBay acquired the claim.
“NioBay should have done their due diligence and checked with the community before they purchased that property because if they had checked with Moose Cree, Moose Cree could have told them that they had said no to drilling before,” Baggio said.
Moose Cree say damage from exploration work in the 1960s, which was undertaken without the First Nation’s consent, is still visible on the landscape and Baggio is concerned that a mine would cause permanent damage to the ecosystem.
“These are very sensitive wetlands, it’s cold and the growing season is very short, the land does not restore itself,” she said.
“There are certain places where mining just shouldn’t happen, and this is just one of those places.”
Wildlands League and 11 other environmental organizations have thrown their weight behind Moose Cree First Nation’s call for protection of these lands and waterways.
In an open letter to Wynne in June, they noted the watersheds not only provide critical habitat for migratory birds, fish and threatened boreal caribou, the boreal forest serves as a vital carbon sink.
Protecting these areas could help Canada meet its international climate and biodiversity targets, they said.
Canada has committed to reduce emissions to 30 per cent below 2005 levels by 2030 and, under the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity, to protect 17 per cent of its lands and inland waters by 2020. With three years left to reach its goal Canada is lagging behind other G7 countries, a CPAWS report released last week said.
Only Canada and the U.S. have not yet met the 17 per cent target, but the U.S., which has protected 13 per cent of its territory, is ahead of Canada, which has protected 11 per cent. Germany meanwhile is leading the pack with protection for 37.8 per cent of its lands and inland waters.
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Battle brewing over niobium mine bid in northern Ontario
Moose Cree First Nation says protecting lands could help Canada meet climate, UN biodiversity commitments.
Moose Cree First Nation Chief Patricia Faries is seen at the site of NioBay's mining claim near the South Bluff Creek, an area of cultural significance to the Moose Cree people. The First Nation wants to see the South Bluff Creek and North French River watersheds protected.
Moose Cree First Nation Chief Patricia Faries is seen at the site of NioBay's mining claim near the South Bluff Creek, an area of cultural significance to the Moose Cree people. The First Nation wants to see the South Bluff Creek and North French River watersheds protected. (Paul Chakasim / Moose Cree First Nation)
By Ainslie CruickshankStaff Reporter
Sun., July 30, 2017
A battle is brewing just south of James Bay between Moose Cree First Nation and a resource company that wants to develop the world’s next niobium mine in the heart of its traditional territory.
For now, NioBay Metal Inc. wants a drilling permit to confirm the results of an exploration program undertaken in the 1960s. Down the road, the company has plans to develop an underground mine to produce niobium, a metal that helps make lighter, stronger steel.
NioBay says the mine will cause minimal environmental damage and offers big benefits for Moose Cree, but the First Nation fears otherwise. The proposed mine site sits near the shore of South Bluff Creek, a culturally significant area for Moose Cree members that borders the North French River watershed, a region they consider protected. Now, they want the province of Ontario to protect it, too.
Company president and CEO Claude Dufresne said Moose Cree members aren’t in a position to make a decision about the project because NioBay hasn’t been allowed to make its pitch in the community.
From a global economic perspective niobium is critical, he said.
The metal is used in the construction of cars, highrises, bridges, jet engines and MRI machines, but most of the production comes from only three mines in the world — one in Quebec and two in Brazil. Its significance to the U.S. became clear in 2010, when it appeared more than once in a diplomatic cable, leaked by WikiLeaks, outlining 300 foreign infrastructure and resource sites considered critical to U.S. interests.
The North French River is one of the last major rivers in Moose Cree First Nation's traditional territory that remains untouched by development.
The North French River is one of the last major rivers in Moose Cree First Nation's traditional territory that remains untouched by development.
If NioBay’s James Bay project proceeds, the mine will be built in the heart of Moose Cree’s homeland in northern Ontario.
To date, the province has protected 1,583 square kilometres of the North French River watershed from development. Moose Cree wants that protection extended to cover the remaining 5,080 square kilometres of watershed still open to mining, as well as the South Bluff Creek watershed that lies next door.
[b[color=red]]Process in questions?[/[/color]b]
https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2017/07/30/battle-brewing-over-niobium-mine-bid-near-james-bay.html
[b[color=red]]process in questions?[/[/color]b]
https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2017/07/30/battle-brewing-over-niobium-mine-bid-near-james-bay.html
POSSIBILITY THINKING BROUGHT GREAT SUPPORT: MCFN can also do great things with NIOBIUM MINE.
If all goes according to plan, by 2015, they will double the capacity of the four dams that make up the Lower Mattagami River Hydroelectric Complex, a $2.6-billion project that will add 438 megawatts to the Northern Ontario grid – enough peak power for at least 400,000 homes.
In Smoky Falls, Ontario Power Generation is refurbishing three hydroelectic stations and completely replacing a fourth along the Mattagami River, which flows north into James Bay. It’s a long play on sustainable energy infrastructure in Canada’s North: By building onto existing stations, the project will avoid disrupting additional watersheds, minimizing its environmental impact while maximizing output.
But the project recognizes more than just the land that surrounds it; it also pays long-overdue respect to some of the first people who lived there. In a landmark partnership, the Moose Cree First Nation has a 25-per-cent stake in the project that will see them share in its revenue for generations.
“There is so much to the agreement,” says Moose Cree Chief Norm Hardisty Jr. His band’s reserve is north of the project in Moose Factory, Ont. “Certainly, it’s not just today we’re dealing with. We’re just not looking at this generation. Moving forward, we’re already prepared to have a trust and looking to invest most of the revenue we will be generating.”
The Lower Mattagami refurbishment is “more than just a way to build
CONSIDERATION CAN BE VERY GOOD:
This is part of a series looking at infrastructure projects designed to create economic opportunities in the North.
Halfway between Timmins and James Bay, it’s below zero and already snowing in October. The weather, though, does little to stop 1,100 workers stationed here. Men and women, professionals and apprentices – including many First Nations people – have been working year-round since 2010 to lay the foundation to power Northern Ontario for future generations.
If all goes according to plan, by 2015, they will double the capacity of the four dams that make up the Lower Mattagami River Hydroelectric Complex, a $2.6-billion project that will add 438 megawatts to the Northern Ontario grid – enough peak power for at least 400,000 homes.
In Smoky Falls, Ontario Power Generation is refurbishing three hydroelectic stations and completely replacing a fourth along the Mattagami River, which flows north into James Bay. It’s a long play on sustainable energy infrastructure in Canada’s North: By building onto existing stations, the project will avoid disrupting additional watersheds, minimizing its environmental impact while maximizing output.
But the project recognizes more than just the land that surrounds it; it also pays long-overdue respect to some of the first people who lived there. In a landmark partnership, the Moose Cree First Nation has a 25-per-cent stake in the project that will see them share in its revenue for generations.
“There is so much to the agreement,” says Moose Cree Chief Norm Hardisty Jr. His band’s reserve is north of the project in Moose Factory, Ont. “Certainly, it’s not just today we’re dealing with. We’re just not looking at this generation. Moving forward, we’re already prepared to have a trust and looking to invest most of the revenue we will be generating.”
The Lower Mattagami refurbishment is “more than just a way to build capacity without flooding more lands for headponds,” says Mike Martelli, OPG’s senior vice-president of hydro-thermal operations. Partnering with the Moose Cree has “resulted in an improvement in the capacity of the First Nation,” he says, through revenue sharing, skills training, employment and subcontracting opportunities.
This is not the first First Nation-utility partnership of its kind, but it is the largest. In 2009, OPG began to operate the 12 MW Lac Seul Station in a 25-per-cent partnership with the Lac Seul First Nation, northeast of Dryden, Ont. The Lower Mattagami project will add 36 times as much capacity as Lac Seul. The capacity of a hydroelectric project depends on two characteristics of the generating station: the head, or difference in height between water intake and the turbine, and flow, the amount of water the station can take in. These are ideal at Lower Mattagami, says Mr. Martelli, an engineer who’s spent most of his career working with Ontario’s hydroelectric generating stations; therefore, he says, it makes sense to build on the existing stations’ capacities. (Smoky Falls, for instance, has an excellent head differential of 40 metres.)
The structure of these hydroelectric stations can last more than 100 years; the Decew Falls I Generating Station near St. Catharines, for instance, went into service in 1898.
While three of the generating stations – Harmon, Kipling and Little Long – will receive one additional generating unit each, the original Smoky Falls structure is being completely replaced, with a new three-unit station being built adjacent to it. This will bring the total generating capacity at Lower Mattagami to 924 megawatts from 486 megawatts.
Smoky Falls was built in the 1920s by Spruce Falls Power and Paper Co. to supply power for its Kapuskasing pulp and paper mill, which for a time supplied newsprint to its longtime co-owner, The New York Times. Thirty years later, Ontario Hydro built its own three stations near Smoky Falls: Harmon and Kipling stations downstream and Little Long Station upstream.
Ontario Hydro agreed to buy the Smoky Falls station at the end of the 1980s, and began to look into expanding the capacity of all four stations, holding environmental hearings and consultations with First Nations on whose traditional lands the project would use – the Moose Cree.
Bob Rae’s NDP government gave the project a go-ahead in 1994 without a formal environmental review, but the utility eventually backed down; not only did consultations with the Moose Cree break down, but the utility also took a $280-million writeoff in 1996 in drastically reducing the project’s potential scope.
“We didn’t really know each other well at the time,” Chief Hardisty says. While the utility did try to get the band’s consent, “we were given an offer, and we said no.”
In 2005, the utility – then named Ontario Power Generation after a restructuring under premier Mike Harris – came back to the table with the Moose Cree. Over time, an agreement was drafted that Chief Hardisty says takes into account the futures of both the First Nation and the land the project sits on. This includes agreements on environmental impact goals, contracts to work on the project and a 25-per-cent stake in the project, which will bring them a share of the profits for the life of the stations.
This stake is a central part of the reconciliation for past harm done to the First Nation throughout the Lower Mattagami facilities’ history – the dams were built on traditional Moose Cree territory without consultation, and treaty rights were ignored.
While a small group of Moose Cree from the Kapuskasing area have publicly called the terms of reconciliation insufficient, a majority of Moose Cree members voted in favour of the agreement in 2009, making it legally binding.
The non-financial benefits are also extensive for First Nations, including Moose Cree members. As part of the agreement, the project promised 200 person years of employment to First Nations workers – which OPG says has now surpassed 350 – as well as some crucial skills training.
“It’s great to see our people get a chance to work and get into the trades,” says Christopher Gangon, a 25-year-old Moose Cree member working at Lower Mattagami as an electrical apprentice. And Karen McKay, 45, got experience driving a variety of high-load trucks. “It really opened a lot of doors with the experience I got here.”
The stations will each go into service individually once construction is complete. The first station, Little Long, is undergoing a series of final tests and is expected to be in service by the end of the year.
Some not happy with partnership
Not all Moose Cree members are happy with the OPG partnership. A group representing about 200 aboriginal people, whose ancestors lived in the Smoky Falls area and who are officially Moose Cree members, say their voices have been historically neglected by the Moose Cree, and that its partnership with OPG on the Lower Mattagami project is the straw that broke the camel’s back.
The group, which calls itself the Kapuskasing Cree First Nation, is based primarily in Kapuskasing, Ont., about 250 kilometres from Moose Cree’s headquarters in Moose Factory. The group, while not a registered band, believes it was arbitrarily assigned to the Moose Cree while living in the bush in the mid-20th century, and it does not want to affiliate with the Moose Cree.
The group has filed a statement of claim with the Ontario Superior Court of Justice in Cochrane, Ont., and plans to fight for a representation order to be able to litigate as a collective – with the aim to some day become its own band, as well as to declare itself a stakeholder in the Lower Mattagami project. While the members don’t necessarily want to halt the project – some are even employed there – they want a separate financial stake, at least equal to the Moose Cree’s, as they believe the reconciliation and environmental terms of the agreement are insufficient.
“Fifty years ago, the damage was done. We want to be reassured it won’t happen again,” says Gaius Napash, the group’s chief.
The members believe that the funds used for the Moose Cree’s stake in the Lower Mattagami project will not sufficiently flow to their families, who were removed from the bush in the 1960s and 70s; Chief Napash lived there until he was a teenager. Their homes were destroyed, and they claim that their traditional trapping and hunting grounds were damaged, and that gravesites were lost to the original project, including in the headpond of Little Long Station.
With their stake, the group hopes to establish a reserve near the project, where their ancestors lived until a railroad to the Smoky Falls dam was removed 40 years ago.
“We just want a place that we can call home,” says Archie Sutherland, the group’s deputy chief.
But Chief Hardisty of the Moose Cree says that the group was duly consulted before the agreement was legally ratified by the band’s membership, and that they benefit from the partnership as equal Moose Cree members. “Any project in the Moose Cree Traditional Territory is taken as a collective,” Chief Hardisty says. “What we have today is a collective agreement that represents all [of our] people.”
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CONCERNING REPOST:[/b
NioBay Metals provides an update on the exploration permit application at the James Bay Niobium project
Montreal, June 12, 2017 – Niobay Metals Inc. (“NioBay” or the “Company”) (TSX-V: NBY) has been informed by the Ministry of Northern Development and Mines of Ontario (‘’MNDM’’) that its application for an exploration permit on the James Bay Niobium project will remain on temporary hold for now. Despite a number of requests, the leadership of Moose Cree First Nation (“MCFN”) has to this day refused to open a dialogue with the Company and to discuss their concerns associated with the exploration program and the project. The MNDM is taking steps to organize a meeting with representatives of the MCFN to address any concerns they may have about the proposed drilling campaign.
The Company has filed a permit application in October 2016 with the MNDM to conduct a drilling program on the James Bay Niobium project. The program consists of 10 to 12 drill holes for a total of approximately 4,000 m and the objective is to validate historical data obtained from a drilling campaign conducted in the 1960s.
The Company’s focus remains on the development of the James Bay Niobium project. The Company will continue to hold discussions with the local community members, government officials and will maintain its efforts to engage with the MCFN leadership.
About the James Bay Niobium Project
The James Bay Niobium property is located in the district of Cochrane, 40 km south of Moosonee in Ontario, Canada. It was discovered in 1966 with significant exploration work carried out subsequently, including 14,000 meters of drilling over 85 holes, which established a deposit extending to 275 meters in depth and 500 meters longitudinally. A historical estimate was finalized by Bechtel Canada in 1967 and indicated 62 million tonnes at 0.52% Nb2O5. Moreover, pilot plant tests demonstrated a recovery rate of 78%, which is considered high for niobium processing.
The historical resource estimate and the historical metallurgical testing are based on data obtained by previous operators in the 1960s. NioBay Metals has not done sufficient work to verify or classify those historical results. Economic studies completed in the 1960s do not mean the James Bay Niobium deposit would be found to be economic today. NioBay Metals is not treating the historical results as a current mineral resource nor as having been verified by a qualified person.
About NioBay Metals Inc.
NioBay Metals Inc. is a mining exploration company holding a 100% interest in the James Bay Niobium property in Ontario, Canada and a 72.5% interest in the Crevier niobium / tantalum resource in Québec, Canada. The Company is also actively reviewing the potential of other mineral properties, including properties in Quebec jointly held with SOQUEM.
Cautionary Statement
Certain statements contained in this press release constitute forward looking information under the provisions of Canadian securities laws. Such statements include, without limitation, the Company's plans and objectives to conduct a drilling program and complete a resource estimate. Such statements reflect the Company's views as at the date of this press release and are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions, and undue reliance should not be placed on such statements. Such risks include, but are not limited to: delays in obtaining or failure to obtain all the necessary permits to conduct a drilling program and uncertainties related to historical data, historical resources and future exploration results. Actual results may be materially different from those currently anticipated. Many factors, known and unknown could cause the actual results to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward looking statements. The Company does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update these forward-looking statements and information, except as required by law.
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
For more information, contact:
Claude Dufresne, P.Eng. President & CEO NioBay Metals Inc. Tel.: 514 866-6500, Ext. 2221
Email: cdufresne@niobaymetals.com Website: www.niobaymetals.com
UNDERSTAND IS HARD![/b]
Smoky Falls Generating Station
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Smoky Falls
Smoky Falls Generating Station is located in Ontario
Smoky Falls Generating Station
Location of Smoky Falls in Ontario
Country
Canada
Location
Harmon Township, Ontario
Coordinates
50°03'40?N 82°09'41?WCoordinates: 50°03'40?N 82°09'41?W
Purpose
Power
Status
Operational
Owner(s)
Ontario Power Generation and Moose Cree First Nation
Dam and spillways
Impounds
Lower Mattagami River
Power station
Name
Smoky Falls Generating Station
Commission date
1931
2014
Hydraulic head
35 m (115 ft)
Turbines
3 x 89.3 MW propeller
Installed capacity
267.9 MW[1]
Smoky Falls Generating Station is one of four stations in the Lower Mattagami River Hydroelectric Complex owned by Ontario Power Generation (OPG) and the Moose Cree First Nation. The station is approximately 85 km (53 mi) northeast of Kapuskasing in the Cochrane District of Northern Ontario. Smoky Falls was originally commissioned as a 54 MW generating station in 1931 by the Spruce Falls Power and Paper Company but it was sold to OPG's predecessor, Ontario Hydro, in 1991. OPG completed a $2.6 billion upgrade of the four Lower Mattagami dams in 2014 and 2015. The new Smoky Falls was commissioned in late 2014 with a 267.9 MW installed capacity.
Contents [hide]
1 Historic operations
2 Redevelopment and expansion
3 Moose Cree participation
4 See also
5 References
6 External links
Historic operations[edit]
A four turbine generating station was originally constructed at Smoky Falls in the 1927-31 period by the Spruce Falls Power and Paper Company to supply power to its nearby newsprint mill in Kapuskasing. Total capacity of the station was 56 MW.[2] The station was built by Morrow and Beatty Ltd. of Peterborough Ontario.[3] The station provided base load power directly to the mill via a 115kV transmission line.
Spruce Falls Power and Paper sold the generating station to Ontario Hydro in 1991.[4]
Redevelopment and expansion[edit]
Ontario Hydro built the Harmon, Kipling, and Little Long Generating Stations along the Lower Mattagami in the 1960s. Little Long is upstream of Smoky Falls and Harmon and Kipling are downstream of Smoky Falls. Ontario Hydro planned for the possible expansion of Little Long, Harmon, and Kipling Generating Stations when they were constructed as each station was designed to accommodate additional turbines. However, the upstream water flow was determined by the capacity of Smoky Falls, which was the smallest of the stations. Ontario Hydro's redevelopment plan was based on managing the water flow through all four stations, enabling them to act as peaking plants when required and optimizing the water resource.[5]
Ontario Hydro initially prepared a development plan and submitted an environmental assessment to the Ontario Minister of the Environment in 1990. The proposal involved building a new dam and powerhouse at Smoky Falls, and decommissioning the original generating station. This first development proposal received ministerial approval without a full environmental review in 1994 from the government.[6] However, Ontario Hydro did not proceed with the development at that time due to a surplus of power in the province and it wrote down its investment in the Lower Mattagami stations by $280 million in 1996.[7]
The Lower Mattagami project was revived in 2005 when the government gave Ontario Hydro's successor, OPG, the authority to proceed with planning. Following extensive negotiations with the Moose Cree and subject to the completion of an environmental review, the Minister of Energy issued a directive in 2007 to the Ontario Power Authority to negotiate a power purchase agreement with OPG covering the redeveloped Lower Mattagami stations, including Smoky Falls.[8]
Construction began on the Lower Matagami project in 2010 with Kiewit Alarie Partnership as the general contractor.[9][10] The new 200 m (660 ft) long gravity dam and powerhouse was built just east of the original generating station, and a new tailrace was completed in what was the former east channel of the river where it is divided by Smoky Falls Island.[11] The first of three new 89.3 MW turbines was commissioned on 30 September 2014, the second in October 2014 and the third in November of the same year.[12]
Moose Cree participation[edit]
[color=red]As part of the redevelopment agreement, OPG negotiated an agreement with the Moose Cree that would the Moose Cree to purchase up to a 25% interest in the four station Lower Mattagami River complex.[13] The agreement was signed in May 2009 and construction began a year later.[14]
[/color]See also[edit]
Canada portal
iconWater portal
iconRenewable energy portal
List of power stations in Canada
List of generating stations in Ontario
References[edit]
1.Jump up ^ "Smoky Falls Generating Station". Ontario Power Authority. Archived from the original on 18 July 2014. Retrieved 3 February 2015.
2.Jump up ^ Hydroelectric Generating Station Extensions Mattagami River Environmental Assessment (PDF). Toronto, Ontario. October 1990. p. 15. Retrieved 3 February 2015.
3.Jump up ^ "Spruce Falls Pulp and Paper Company". McMaster University Libraries. Retrieved 3 February 2015.
4.Jump up ^ Noble, Kimberly (4 Dec 1991). "Residents take over pulp mill". Toronto: Globe & Mail. p. B4.
5.Jump up ^ Hydroelectric Generating Station Extensions Mattagami River Environmental Assessment (PDF). Toronto, Ontario. October 1990. p. 3-1. Retrieved 3 February 2015.
6.Jump up ^ Mittelstaedt, Martin (6 October 1994). "Ontario gives Hydro project go-ahead Dropping environmental hearing could let government off hook for $247-million". Toronto: The Globe and Mail. p. B10.
7.Jump up ^ Mittelstaedt, Martin (11 December 1996). "Ontario Hydro writes off $2.5-billion: Special onetime charge over surplus nuclear plants leaves Crown utility with $1.9-billion loss". Toronto: The Globe and Mail. p. B3.
8.Jump up ^ Gerry Phillips (20 December 2007). "Hydroelectric Energy Supply Agreements with Ontario Power Generation Inc." (PDF). Ontario Power Authority. Retrieved 7 February 2015.
9.Jump up ^ "Lower Mattagami Project Generates Jobs, and Clean, Renewable Electricity". Ontario Power Authority. Archived from the original on 23 December 2010. Retrieved 7 February 2015.
10.Jump up ^ Spears, John (9 June 2010). "OPG and Moose Cree start new hydro development". Toronto Star. Archived from the original on 7 February 2015. Retrieved 3 February 2015.
11.Jump up ^ "Smoky Falls Generating Station (267.9 MW) - Kapuskasing: Mattagami Rive". Ontario Power Authority. Archived from the original on 18 July 2014. Retrieved 7 February 2015.
12.Jump up ^ "OPG reports Q3 net income attributable to the shareholder of $118 million before extraordinary gain". Ontario Power Generation Inc. Retrieved 25 February 2015.
13.Jump up ^ O'Kane, Josh (26 November 2013). "Massive project gives new life to old hydro dams". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved 3 February 2015.
14.Jump up ^ "Moose Cree First Nation Ratifies Amisk-Oo-Skow Comprehensive Agreement" (PDF). www.opg.com. 20 May 2009. Archived from the original (PDF) on 14 April 2011. Retrieved 7 February 2015.
External links[edit]
OPG Smoky Falls page
Comprehensive Study Scoping Document for Lower Mattagami Hydroelectirc Complex Redevelopment (PDF). Department of Fisheries and Oceans, Canada. March 2007.
Categories: Energy infrastructure completed in 1931
Energy infrastructure completed in 2015
Hydroelectric power stations in Ontario
Ontario Hydro
Ontario Power Generation
Dams in Ontario
Gravity dams
Dams completed in 2015
1931 establishments in Ontario
Drilling Project Unanimously Rejected by Moose Cree – Community calls on Ontario to withdraw the exploration permit
By nativecurrents -
May 17, 2017
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May 16, 2017, MOOSE FACTORY, ONTARIO- Moose Cree First Nation has unanimously rejected a drilling project in the heart of its Homeland and is calling on the Ontario government to respect its “Right to say NO”.
Ontario is telling the community a decision is expected at the end of the month. Moose Cree demands that Ontario withdraws the exploration permit.
Montreal-based Niobay Metals Inc (TSX-V: NBY) was informed last October that drilling would not be permitted in the Moose Cree Homeland near the South Bluff Creek area. This is a sensitive wetland area and Moose Cree has identified it as important for water as well as a highly used cultural area for its members. The creek and the North French River Watershed are located in the heart of the Homeland and are of great cultural and environmental significance to the Moose Cree people. The community rejected a similar project in 2003 when previous owners of lease CLM-11 tried to initiate a drilling project in the South Bluff Creek area.
“We told the previous owners NO back then and we are telling the new leaseholders NO now,” said Chief Patricia Faries. “The new leaseholders could have saved themselves a lot of work and money if they had done due diligence and checked with us first before purchasing this lease in 2016. This is not an area open to exploration and mining development in our territory,” Chief Faries added.
This particular area, South Bluff Creek, along with the North French River Watershed which is also threatened by the project, is not open to exploration, mining or any kind of industrial development the community has declared.
Moose Cree is working on a Homeland Protection Plan. This includes a restoration plan for areas already impacted from the heavy footprint of industrial development. The area Niobay wants to drill in had a drilling program on it almost 50 years without consulting Moose Cree. The effects from that historical program are still visible on Google Earth Satellite Maps today and were observed on a recent fly over by Moose Cree staff.
“The land is scarred and has not healed even after 50 years,” Faries added. South Bluff Creek is in the Hudson Bay Lowlands, a sensitive wetland ecosystem that is cold, wet and has a very short growing season.
To add further insult to injury, after the community informed Niobay that its project was unanimously rejected, the company did not change its plan. Instead it continued to advance the project by:
1.Publishing a timeline on its website in February 2017 for full mine construction (2020) and production (2021) to potential investors;
2.Failing to disclose to potential investors in its “forward-looking statements” that Moose Cree had unanimously rejected the project and therefore the project did not have the consent of Moose Cree;
3.Promoting the project at the Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada (PDAC) 2017 International Convention in Toronto in March with a booth and materials;
4.Setting up an Open House this week on May 17 in the municipality of Moosonee to promote the project. Chairman of the Board of Niobay, Serge Savard, former Montreal Canadiens hockey player, is being advertised as attending the open house to promote the project; and,
5.Using Moose Cree’s emblem (logo) without permission on materials thereby giving people the wrong impression that the community supports the project.
“It’s outrageous the way this company is conducting itself. It is very disrespectful,” Chief Faries said. “Moose Factory is a well-known hockey town but we do not welcome Serge Savard under these circumstances. It would be better for Niobay to listen to us and respect our laws,” Faries said.
“Moose Cree people are the original people of this land and the Creator has given us this land as our home. We have an inherent right to our Homeland that no other government can take from us,” Faries stated. “Our ancestors have lived on this land since time immemorial drawing the animals, fish and plants for our sustenance. You must get our consent prior to any development within our Homeland,” Faries said.
[color=red]Moose Cree calls on the Ontario government to withdraw the exploration permit and to not renew the mining lease when it expires in 2018.
[img]
[/color]For more information please contact:
Chief Patricia Faries, Moose Cree First Nation, 705-658-4619 ext 250
Jeff Hunter, Moose Cree First Nation, 705-288-1163 mobile or jeff.hunter@moosecree.com
Copies of the Google Earth Satellite Maps are available.
TAGS
environment
mining
[img]Drilling Project Unanimously Rejected by Moose Cree Community calls on Ontario to withdraw the exploration permit
May 16, 2017
MOOSE FACTORY, ONTARIO-[/img] Moose Cree First Nation has unanimously rejected a drilling project in the heart of its Homeland and is calling on the Ontario government to respect its “Right to say NO”.
Ontario is telling the community a decision is expected at the end of the month. Moose Cree demands that Ontario withdraws the exploration permit.
Montreal-based Niobay Metals Inc (TSX-V: NBY) was informed last October that drilling would not be permitted in the Moose Cree Homeland near the South Bluff Creek area. This is a sensitive wetland area and Moose Cree has identified it as important for water as well as a highly used cultural area for its members. The creek and the North French River Watershed are located in the heart of the Homeland and are of great cultural and environmental significance to the Moose Cree people. The community rejected a similar project in 2003 when previous owners of lease CLM-11 tried to initiate a drilling project in the South Bluff Creek area.
“We told the previous owners NO back then and we are telling the new leaseholders NO now,” said Chief Patricia Faries. “The new leaseholders could have saved themselves a lot of work and money if they had done due diligence and checked with us first before purchasing this lease in 2016. This is not an area open to exploration and mining development in our territory,” Chief Faries added.
This particular area, South Bluff Creek, along with the North French River Watershed which is also threatened by the project, is not open to exploration, mining or any kind of industrial development the community has declared.
Moose Cree is working on a Homeland Protection Plan. This includes a restoration plan for areas already impacted from the heavy footprint of industrial development. The area Niobay wants to drill in had a drilling program on it almost 50 years without consulting Moose Cree. The effects from that historical program are still visible on Google Earth Satellite Maps today and were observed on a recent fly over by Moose Cree staff.
“The land is scarred and has not healed even after 50 years,” Faries added. South Bluff Creek is in the Hudson Bay Lowlands, a sensitive wetland ecosystem that is cold, wet and has a very short growing season.
To add further insult to injury, after the community informed Niobay that its project was unanimously rejected, the company did not change its plan. Instead it continued to advance the project by:
1. Publishing a timeline on its website in February 2017 for full mine construction (2020) and production (2021) to potential investors; 2. Failing to disclose to potential investors in its “forward-looking statements” that Moose Cree had unanimously rejected the project and therefore the project did not have the consent of Moose Cree; 3. Promoting the project at the Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada (PDAC) 2017 International Convention in Toronto in March with a booth and materials; 4. Setting up an Open House this week on May 17 in the municipality of Moosonee to promote the project. Chairman of the Board of Niobay, Serge Savard, former Montreal Canadiens hockey player, is being advertised as attending the open house to promote the project; and, 5. Using Moose Cree’s emblem (logo) without permission on materials thereby giving people the wrong impression that the community supports the project.
“It’s outrageous the way this company is conducting itself. It is very disrespectful,” Chief Faries said. “Moose Factory is a well-known hockey town but we do not welcome Serge Savard under these circumstances. It would be better for Niobay to listen to us and respect our laws,” Faries said.
“Moose Cree people are the original people of this land and the Creator has given us this land as our home. We have an inherent right to our Homeland that no other government can take from us,” Faries stated. “Our ancestors have lived on this land since time immemorial drawing the animals, fish and plants for our sustenance. You must get our consent prior to any development within our Homeland,” Faries said.
Moose Cree calls on the Ontario government to withdraw the exploration permit and to not renew the mining lease when it expires in 2018.
For more information please contact:
Chief Patricia Faries, Moose Cree First Nation, 705-658-4619 ext 250
Jeff Hunter, Moose Cree First Nation, 705-288-1163 mobile or jeff.hunter@moosecree.com
Copies of the Google Earth Satellite Maps are available.