JOHANNESBURG (miningweekly.com) – A Canada-wide survey of Aboriginal Canadians who reside in rural and/or remote communities has revealed that only 38% have a favourable perception of the mining and mineral exploration industry. This is a considerable difference compared with the positive approval among Canadians cited in recent industry studies, ranging between 76% and 82%.

The results provide valuable insight on how mining proponents can gain social license by building positive relationships with Aboriginal communities, addressing concerns and ensuring the communities benefit from proposed projects.

Canada's Minister of Natural Resources and the Federal Economic Development Initiative for Northern Ontario, Greg Rickford, on Monday highlighted the importance of mining to Aboriginal peoples and the Canadian economy, as well as the potential presented by areas with high mineral development opportunities such as the Ring of Fire and the North.

When addressing attendees of the Canadian Aboriginal Minerals Association's twenty-second annual conference, the Minister also emphasised the Canadian government's commitment to responsibly developing Canada's natural resources, which includes engaging with communities and environmental stewardship.

Rickford underscored the government of Canada's ongoing efforts to increase Aboriginal participation in the mining industry with a particular emphasis on Aboriginal youth. These efforts included funding initiatives for training Aboriginal peoples as well as strengthening Crown consultations.

Robert Simpson, president and CEO of natural-resources sector communication and public relations firm PR Associates, which commissioned the study, noted that the firm's perception survey would provide a benchmark upon which the industry could measure the effectiveness of ongoing engagement with Aboriginal people. "Industry should look at this study positively as it is clear the economic and social benefits of responsible mining are resonating with Aboriginal people in Canada.

“For PR Associates, we are better able to provide our clients with strategic communication which will help build the trusting and transparent relationships necessary for resource development to proceed.”

This was the first-ever national survey conducted among Aboriginal Canadians to measure their perceptions of the mining industry, despite Aboriginal Canadians being critical long-term rights-holders in the mining industry, said PR Associations.

About 1 200 Aboriginal communities are located within 200 km of about 180 producing mines and more than 2 500 active exploration properties, which provide tremendous opportunity for the mining industry and Aboriginal communities to benefit from resource development. Mining is also the largest private-sector employer of Aboriginal people in Canada and employment is poised to increase.

The results were of elevated importance in light of the June 2014 Tsilquot’in Supreme Court of Canada decision, which affirmed Aboriginal title and placed more emphasis on the need to work with Aboriginal communities to gain acceptance of resource projects in their traditional territory.

Encouragingly, there were also several positive statistics. Aboriginal people under 35 tended to have a more positive perception than their older counterparts on most attributes. The study also revealed favourable impressions of the industry with regard to the provision of economic benefits, opportunities for Canadians and youth, ensuring employee safety and the respect of human rights, among others.

Aboriginal Canadians did, however, have a negative perception of the industry in relation to its collaboration with Aboriginal communities, environmental impacts, provision of opportunities for Aboriginals in general and being honest and trustworthy.

“Although improvements are needed to build trust and gain acceptance with Aboriginal Canadians, the study revealed some positive benchmarks that can be built on to improve relationships and perceptions. And it’s important to recognise that there are many resource development companies succeeding at partnering with First Nations, proving [that is possible to achieve] mutually beneficial relationships and project acceptance,” said Simpson.

The natural resources sector directly and indirectly accounted for 1.8-million jobs and almost one-fifth of Canada's nominal gross domestic product. The minerals and metals sector at present employs close to 400 000 Canadians, including over 10 000 Aboriginal people, generating more than 20% of Canada's exports.

The perception survey’s results were presented at the 2014 Yukon Geoscience Forum and had a sample size of 500 Aboriginal Canadians aged 18 years and older, who answered the survey by telephone.