Community
Working together for a prosperous future
BlackRock Metals is proud to work closely with all local communities to boost the economy and create opportunities for residents, while protecting the environment and respecting the traditional way of life.
We are honoured and thankful to have the support of local municipalities, First Nations, regional economic development groups and all levels of government.
Local
Communities
Communities
BlackRock Metals, with its mine and concentrator activities, is pleased to provide quality, well paid jobs for members of the Cree and Innu communities and local residents in the Chibougamau-Chapais area. Our project may also attract new workers and their families to the area and help to contribute economically, culturally, and socially to the local community.
Investments to build our metallurgical plant at the industrial port zone of Saguenay (near La Baie), reflects BlackRock Metals’ intention to provide downstream economic benefits for the Saguenay-Lac-St-Jean region by creating jobs and business opportunities.
As a sign of our commitment and respect for local communities, we have signed agreements with the Cree and the Innu of Mashteuiatsh for our mining operations in Chibougamau, and with the Innu of Mashteuiatch, Essipit and Pessamit for our metallurgical plant in La Baie, in the Saguenay region.
These agreements enable us to work closely with the communities to minimize impact on their traditional ways of life and to maximize opportunities for employment and business throughout the entire life cycle of the project.
Investments to build our metallurgical plant at the industrial port zone of Saguenay (near La Baie), reflects BlackRock Metals’ intention to provide downstream economic benefits for the Saguenay-Lac-St-Jean region by creating jobs and business opportunities.
As a sign of our commitment and respect for local communities, we have signed agreements with the Cree and the Innu of Mashteuiatsh for our mining operations in Chibougamau, and with the Innu of Mashteuiatch, Essipit and Pessamit for our metallurgical plant in La Baie, in the Saguenay region.
These agreements enable us to work closely with the communities to minimize impact on their traditional ways of life and to maximize opportunities for employment and business throughout the entire life cycle of the project.
Meet our neighbours
Come build with us
Come build with us
Learn more about our agreements
Learn more about our agreements
Meet
our
neighbours
our
neighbours
We aim to create multiple communication channels to provide our neighbours with a voice, listen to their concerns, and learn from their experience so we can contribute to sustainable, long-term development. Several follow-up committees have been established to achieve this goal.
Discover the Eeeyou Istchee and Northern Quebec
For generations, the region has been populated by the Cree and is flourishing thanks to the collaboration and mutual respect of its communities. Crees and local residents work together, particularly through the James Bay Regional Administration (ARBJ), to protect the environment and preserve traditions while providing greater opportunities for all.
There are 11 Cree communities and over 300 traplines across the Eeeyou Istchee region. The Cree Nation Government has supported numerous development projects in the region including the BlackRock Metals Project.
There are 11 Cree communities and over 300 traplines across the Eeeyou Istchee region. The Cree Nation Government has supported numerous development projects in the region including the BlackRock Metals Project.
Come build with us
Come build with us
Founded in 1989 and recognized by UNESCO for sustainable development and traditional architecture, the village of Ouje-Bougoumou is a source of inspiration for indigenous peoples everywhere. BlackRock Metals mine and mill operations are located less than 100 kilometers from Ouje-Bougoumou and transportation to the mine will be provided to team members from this community.
Chibougamau became a mining town in 1954, but since the 17th century, the territory has been occupied first by the Cree communities, then by traders, the forestry and mining industries, tourism and many more. Today, Chibougamau is considered the largest city in northern Quebec, the gateway to the North and has a thriving economy. Chibougamau is a strategic ally of the BlackRock Metals Project, and our mine is located less than 60 km from its downtown.
As a mining and forestry town, Chapais is also a strategic ally of our project. Located in the heart of the boreal forest, with beautiful natural lakes and rivers, Chapais offers its residents all the main public services and advantageous financial programs to establish locally. The mining, forestry and agricultural industries all contribute to its thriving economic development. The BlackRock Project is located less than 80 km from Chapais.
Our metallurgical plant will be located on traditional land claimed by the three Innu communities of Mashteuiatsh, Essipit and Pessamit with whom we have concluded a historic agreement for the BlackRock Project.
The City of Saguenay is situated on the shores of the Saguenay River and its fjord has a deep-water port that will be used to ship finished products to customers in North America and abroad.
Saguenay is a great place to live, work and do business thanks to its strategic location, highly qualified workforce, quality of life, access to nature, sports facilities, transportation infrastructure and learning institutions.
The City of Saguenay is situated on the shores of the Saguenay River and its fjord has a deep-water port that will be used to ship finished products to customers in North America and abroad.
Saguenay is a great place to live, work and do business thanks to its strategic location, highly qualified workforce, quality of life, access to nature, sports facilities, transportation infrastructure and learning institutions.
Discover Saguenay and Nitassinan communities
1080, Côte du Beaver Hall Suite 1606, Montreal
(514) 316-7281
(514) 316-7281
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Agreements with the first nations
BallyHusky Agreement with the Cree
BlackRock Metals has completed agreements with several First Nation Communities including Cree, Ilnu of Mashteuiatsh, and Innu of Essipit and Pessamit. The initiatives and conditions identified in these agreements are meant to:
— Create jobs and training programs.
— Provide business opportunities that will contribute to the sustainable development of existing and new businesses.
— Work with the First Nation communities to mitigate the impacts on their traditional way of life, especially for impacted families. Take into account the elements of the traditional way of life to enhance the workplace environment.
— Apply the best environmental practices to protect wildlife, both at the mine site and at the metallurgical plant, for future generations through responsible environmental stewardship.
— Provide business opportunities that will contribute to the sustainable development of existing and new businesses.
— Work with the First Nation communities to mitigate the impacts on their traditional way of life, especially for impacted families. Take into account the elements of the traditional way of life to enhance the workplace environment.
— Apply the best environmental practices to protect wildlife, both at the mine site and at the metallurgical plant, for future generations through responsible environmental stewardship.
In 2013, the initial BallyHusky Agreement was signed with the Cree community for the construction of BlackRock Metals’ operations. This agreement covers multiple elements to optimize benefits for the community while mitigating the impact on the environment, culture, and traditions, particularly on the impacted families.
Agreement with the Ilnu Nation of Mashteuiatsh
On August 6, 2020, the agreement with the Pekuakamiulnuatsh (Ilnus of Mashteuiatsh) was completed with a view to maximize economic benefits from the BlackRock Mine. Historically, the Pekuakamiulnuatsh have occupied a vast territory called the Nitassinan located between Chibougamau and Saguenay. The village of Mashteuiatsh is a community of over 2,000 residents located on the shores of the Pekuakami (Lac St-Jean) near the city of Roberval approximately 250 kilometers from the BlackRock Mine and 125 kilometers from La Baie.
Agreement with the three Innu Nations of Mashteuiatsh, Essipit and Pessamit
The metallurgical plant is located on traditional territory claimed by the three Innu communities of Mashteuiatsh, Essipit and Pessamit. A historic partnership agreement was signed between BlackRock Metals and the three Innu communities on August 6, 2020. This agreement lays the foundation for collaboration to enhance the economic benefits of the project for those Innu communities.
Agreements with local governments
Economic Development 02 and its Regional Economic Impact Maximization Committee (CMAX+) - In June 2018, BlackRock Metals completed a collaboration agreement aimed at enhancing the economic benefits from the construction of the metallurgical plant in the Saguenay-Lac-St-Jean region.
Agreement with ARBJ (Administration régionale Baie-James) - City of Chapais and City of Chibougamau.
In March 2016, BlackRock Metals completed a collaboration agreement to enhance employment and business opportunities for residents of the James Bay Territory (Jamesians) while ensuring environmental and social impacts are mitigated.
Agreement with ARBJ (Administration régionale Baie-James) - City of Chapais and City of Chibougamau.
In March 2016, BlackRock Metals completed a collaboration agreement to enhance employment and business opportunities for residents of the James Bay Territory (Jamesians) while ensuring environmental and social impacts are mitigated.
Committees
Several joint committees have been created with representatives of these communities to ensure that the measures identified from our agreements with communities are implemented and that an open dialogue and a forum for problem solving is provided on an on-going basis.
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