The mining newspaper for Alaska and Canada's North
The mining newspaper for Alaska and Canada's North
Key step to developing responsible zinc mine and road in NWT North of 60 Mining News – August 12, 2022
Prairie Creek is home to a previously operated zinc mine in the Traditional Territory of the Naha Dehe Dene Band.
NorZinc Ltd. Aug. 10 announced the signing of an environmental agreement with the Naha Dehe Dene Band and Liidlii Kue First Nation Band for the development and operation of a mine at Prairie Creek and an all-season road to access this zinc-lead-silver project in Northwest Territories.
"We are very pleased to have entered into this agreement with NDDB and LFKN, which reflects our commitment to respect and prioritize the environmental well-being of their traditional and sacred lands that will be home to one of Canada's next, largest and highest grade critical mineral zinc, silver and lead mine," said NorZinc President and CEO Rohan Hazelton. "The recognition of the traditional lands and rights of First Nations is paramount to the success of Prairie Creek, and we look forward to advancing the project alongside our partners."
In October, NorZinc published a preliminary economic assessment for a 2,400-metric-ton-per-day mining operation at Prairie Creek that will produce an average of 261 million pounds of zinc-equivalent – which accounts for the value of the lead and silver that will also be recovered – annually over 20 years of operation.
This mine is expected to have a significant economic impact on the local communities, as well as the territory and federal government.
For local First Nations, the benefits are expected to include C$5 million per year in direct transfer benefits, or C$100 million over the life of the mine; C$330 million in business contracts; and C$65 million in guaranteed employment.
Roughly 600 workers are expected to be needed during the three-year construction phase and more than 350 workers once the mine is operating.
The Naha Dehe Dene Band of Nahanni Butte, the nearest community to Prairie Creek, is located roughly 90 kilometers southeast of the mine. The Liidlii Kue First Nation of Fort Simpson, which lies about 185 kilometers east of Prairie Creek, represents the largest community within the Dehcho Region.
The Prairie Creek mine site lies within Naha Dehe Dene Band Traditional Territory, and the all-season road (ASR) passes through the traditional territories of both First Nation groups.
"The Prairie Creek Mine and the ASR are located entirely within NDDB's Traditional Territory, directly adjacent to the community of Nahanni Butte. We have the greatest potential for both impacts and benefits from its development," said Naha Dehe Dene Band Chief Steve Vital. "The signing of the Environmental Assessment today is another step towards developing the mine and ASR responsibly and ensuring that the benefits to NDDB far exceed the impacts on our community."
Building upon earlier impact benefit agreements, the environmental agreement establishes the framework for a long-term, mutually beneficial, and cooperative working partnership. NorZinc says this EA formalizes its commitment toward protecting the environment and sacred, traditional lands upon which the Prairie Creek Mine will be developed while providing for environmental monitoring, review, and oversight through the life of the project.
"The Environmental Agreement between Liidlii Kue First Nation, Naha Dehe Dene Band and NorZinc is an important agreement that will ensure our Dene nations retain a strong role in environmental oversight and protection for the mine and road," said Liidlii Kue First Nation Chief Antoine. "Through an Environmental Committee and our Dene Monitors, we look forward to continuing the important work of being stewards and guardians of our land."
Over his more than 16 years of covering mining and mineral exploration, Shane has become renowned for his ability to report on the sector in a way that is technically sound enough to inform industry insiders while being easy to understand by a wider audience.
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