Q & A: Tłı̨chǫ Government – Fortescue MOU
Background
- Tłı̨chǫ private lands totalling 39,000 km2 are owned by the Tłı̨chǫ Nation. Both surface and subsurface lands are managed by Tłı̨chǫ Government (TG).
- TG has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Fortescue (News Article).
Fortescue MOU
- Why did TG sign an MOU with Fortescue?
- With diamond mines beginning to slow down, the MOU is part of a strategy to look for new long-term economic opportunities for Tłı̨chǫ Citizens.
- TG is looking for companies that are interested in being true partners, to work with us to gather information about economic mineral potential on Tłı̨chǫ Lands.
- CEC travelled to Australia to assess Fortescue as a possible partner. We met with Indigenous businesses, Elders, and traditional custodians to learn about how they work with Fortescue to protect cultural heritage and create opportunities for their Citizens and businesses. We saw Fortescue’s mining operations, corporate headquarters, green-energy projects, and Indigenous training and employment programs.
- Fortescue is a world leader in mining, green energy, and Indigenous partnerships, with a good reputation amongst First Nations & First Nations Businesses
- What does the MOU between TG and Fortescue mean?
- The MOU means TG and Fortescue want to share information and learn from each other about geology, indigenous employment and training, economic mineral potential, and green energy.
- TG and Fortescue want to continue developing our relationship, and are open to looking at future partnership opportunities.
- The MOU also tells the world TG is serious about making strategic partnerships to explore economic opportunities for Tłı̨chǫ Citizens and Communities.
- What actions will be taken under the MOU?
- Fortescue will provide geological expertise to help TG understand the potential for lithium deposits on Tłı̨chǫ lands (identify best locations, then collect small rock samples to analyze in the lab).
- TG and Fortescue will discuss the results.
- TG will decide on next steps, if any.
- Have any decisions been made about mining on Tłı̨chǫ Lands?
- No decisions have been made about mining on Tłı̨chǫ Lands.
- The Tłı̨chǫ Wenek’e (Land Use Plan) Law identifies about 40% of Tłı̨chǫ lands where potential development can occur.
- Any future decisions would need to be made in a way that is consistent with the values of co-operation, healing, harmony and self-sufficiency enshrined in the Tłı̨chǫ Constitution, and our responsibility to serve for all time as custodians of our lands, waters and resources
- What would be the process for reviewing and deciding on possible mines on Tłı̨chǫ Lands?
- Before any mining project on Tłı̨chǫ Lands can happen, it would require these steps:
- engagement with Citizens and Communities,
- an environmental impact assessment (including social, economic, cultural, and environmental impacts),
- permits and licences from the Wek’èezhı̀ı Land and Water Board with conditions to manage the project,
- TG approval and a Tłı̨chǫ Lands Access Agreement, and
- negotiation of a major mining agreement with TG.
- Before any mining project on Tłı̨chǫ Lands can happen, it would require these steps:
- Why does TG want to gather mineral data on Tłı̨chǫ Lands?
- The correct geology exists on Tłı̨chǫ Lands to host mineral deposits, but without collecting additional data, we will never know what possible economic opportunities exist.
- TG is taking strategic steps to build knowledge of economic mineral potential on Tłı̨chǫ Lands, to understand potential economic opportunities for our Nation.
Tłı̨chǫ Citizens: please contact lands@tłı̨chǫ.ca if you have questions.
