President’s Message 2011

Conference Concept 2011

Vancouver, B.C. November 6-8, 2011

"Meeting Minds, Making Mines" Aboriginal Community and Resource Development in a Growing Economy

As we begin the next decade, there is much optimism that the mineral industry will continue to grow. This is primarily due to increasing demands from the United States as it pulls itself from its sluggish economy. China, India and developing countries also seem to be growing consumers of metals. Precious metals such as gold and silver continue to be in high demand partly as a protection in the event that the economy slips into a negative trend again. Overall, as the world population grows, for all metals that cannot be recycled, there will always be a need for new mines to mine more metals to feed global demand.

Exploration of  old mining camps continues as new ‘geological’ thinking tests abandoned mines and unexplored ground.  The paradigm shift is that mining rights can be burdened by an interest or prior right of an Aboriginal group. Mining companies today, as a part of their due diligence and investigation, are finding out who has a prior right and who they should deal with beyond the regulatory body or government.

Our theme this year, “Meeting Minds, Making Mines”, sets the stage on how mineral development must occur. Aboriginal communities and mineral companies must have a meeting of minds about how mineral development will proceed. This ensures that the community protects its people, lands and economies, while at the same time protects the company in securing its investment, safeguarding the environment and hopefully to making a profit. The “Meeting Minds” can only occur through proper protocols, effective communication and the formalizing of a relationship through written agreements. The challenge still remains on “Meeting Minds” in implementation of these agreements. These challenges are fluctuating metal prices, changing economies, changing political regimes and uncertain progress in land title dispute resolution by governments.

Mineral deposits continue to be found, but “Making Mines” from these discoveries is a challenge. Mines are made, NOT found.  “Making Mines” is a complex, risky and time consuming process. Aboriginal communities are playing a bigger role today in working with mining companies to “Make Mines”. Minimizing costs, minimizing waste, minimizing impacts on the environment and the community are key elements to making mines. Joint planning, with the involvement of the Aboriginal community in certain decisions affecting the environment, safety and infrastructure development, can only lead to certainty to support “Making Mines”.

“Meeting Minds, Making Mines” is an important theme for any Aboriginal community or mining company. In this decade this relationship will be vital to support the need for a growing and successful mining industry and to support a growing, vibrant and strong Aboriginal community.

Hans Matthews
President
Canadian Aboriginal Minerals Association

For more information contact us at (416) 925-0866 or 1-800-443-6452 or email info@canadaforum.com.