TORONTO (miningweekly.com) – Two north-western Ontario First Nation communities are taking steps to better interface with and understand the minerals exploration and mining companies operating in their vicinities, the province's Ministry of Northern Development, Mines and Forestry reported on Tuesday.

As a result, the First Nations of Aroland and Webequie will be able to pursue more economic development and job creation opportunities in the mineral exploration and mining industries, the Ministry said.

Both First Nations have seen a sharp increase in mineral exploration near their communities in recent years.

The Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC) will invest C$50 000 with each community, to asisst them in hiring a new mining coordinator to help their members better understand the exploration and mining process.

They will also represent their First Nations when dealing with land use issues and negotiating agreements.

“These projects will help ensure that exploration and mining companies conduct meaningful consultation with these First Nations, on whose traditional lands they are interested in operating,” Minister Michael Gravelle, who also chairs the NOHFC, said in a statement.

There are currently 250 active mineral exploration projects in north-western Ontario.

In April, the province introduced minerals legislation with new rules to govern how exploration claims are staked, and what land can be explored in the Canadian province.

Besides other things, the bill included strict new requirements for exploration companies to consult with First Nation communities.

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