About the Springpole Lake Development Proposal?
Cat Lake First Nation has spent a year working towards developing, defining and designing Ontario’s first Indigenous Led Impact Assessment. In October 2023, the community commenced the Anishinaabe Led Impact Assessment process titled ᑭᑕᑭᓇᓐ Kita-ki-nan (OurLand).
The community will be undertaking a Traditional Land Use Study, it will provide the Kitakinan process with site specific and qualitative data documenting the practices and uses of community members in the proposed Project area.
In parallel, the community is also undertaking a Socio-Economic Study that will provide site-specific, quantitative, and qualitative data describing baseline information for socio-economies, health and well-being indicators pertaining to the Nation.
An analysis of the potential impacts and benefits of the proposed Springpole project will also be presented, along with a discussion of potential cumulative impacts and benefits. At the completion of our process, the Cat Lake First Nation will make a free, prior and informed consent decision about the proposed Springpole Project
The Springpole Gold Project, spanning 41,943 hectares in northwestern Ontario, is a significant gold exploration and development initiative by First Mining. Located 110 kilometres northeast of Red Lake, it encompasses 30 patented mining claims, 282 mining claims, and thirteen mining leases within the Birch-Uchi Greenstone Belt.
The project proposal includes substantial infrastructure, including an onsite camp, winter road access, a logging road, and nearby power lines. With substantial gold and silver reserves, totaling 4.6 million ounces of gold and 24.3 million ounces of silver in the Indicated category, it stands as one of Ontario's largest undeveloped gold projects.
To provide time and opportunity for a proper assessment of the impact of mining exploration and development, a band council resolution was passed. This resolution puts a mining moratorium in place to allow the Anishnabe-led impact assessment to be completed.
It is crucial for the Cat Lake First Nation to engage in meaningful consultation and informed decision-making processes regarding the Springpole Lake mine project. This includes assessing the potential impacts, considering alternative economic opportunities, and ensuring that their rights and interests are protected. Everyone involved in the consideration of this project must agree that Cat Lake First Nation’s “consent” is non-negotiable.
