The Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation has signed a collaboration agreement with a mining company in relation to the proposed construction and operation of an underground copper and zinc mine on PBCN land.

Chief Karen Bird says the agreement is a significant opportunity to reap benefits, while preserving their Treaty and Aboriginal rights, cultural values and environmental interests.

The mine is 80 kilometres south of Flin Flon in northeast Saskatchewan which is environmentally friendly and will mine mostly copper and zinc, along with trace gold and silver.  It’s the world’s first carbon-neutral copper and zinc mine.

Bird says the Collaboration Agreement provides PBCN with yearly payments linked to mine cash flows, assistance payment for the agreement implementation, and lump sums based on milestones.  It also means employment and skill development and significant contracting opportunities for the life of the mine, which is expected to be about 18 years.