Vale Base Metals is out to forge better relationships with Indigenous communities by signing on with the First Nations Major Projects Coalition (FNMPC).
The nickel and copper miner is the latest member of the coalition’s Sustaining Partner program, which was created to advance stronger business ties between industry and Indigenous communities to advance projects in a sustainable way on the basis of mutual interest.
Vale Base Metals is a spinoff entity of the Brazilian global mining giant, formed in 2023 to grow the value of its nickel and copper holdings in anticipation of the growing demand for critical minerals. Among its holdings are mining and refining operations in Sudbury.
B.C.-based FNMPC is a not-profit organization of more than 170 Indigenous communities across Canada that promotes Indigenous involvement in significant development projects on the basis of partnerships and shared prosperity. The coalition gives meaningful voices to its member communities on the capacity-building and advisory side with a technical team that assists in devising benefit sharing models, environmental stewardship and impact assessment processes when working with industry.
"Our collaboration aims to foster meaningful Indigenous inclusion ensuring that our communities benefit economically, socially, and environmentally from these developments,” said said FNMPC board chair Sharleen Gale in a statement. “Together, we are paving the way for a future where Indigenous perspectives drive sustainable and responsible resource development."
"We are looking forward to learning more about what we can do to improve relationships with First Nation communities,” said Emily Olson, Vale Base Metals’ chief sustainability and corporate affairs officer. “We also look forward to collaborating with FNMPC to further support First Nation participation in critical mineral projects and mining operations."
