Aug 13 2015
Nemaska Lithium Inc. is pleased to provide updates on its community relations for its Whabouchi Mine Project. Indeed, over the last weeks, significant actions were initiated or completed by Nemaska Lithium in line with the relations it has established with the Cree Nation of Nemaska as well as with Chibougamau and Chapais, Quebec.
On July 14, 2015 took place the kick-off meeting of the Whabouchi Implementation Committee ("WIC") in line with the signing of the Chinuchi Agreement in November 2014 with the Cree Nation of Nemaska, the Cree Nation Government and the Grand Council of the Crees (Eeyou Istchee). The main objectives of that initial meeting were to confirm the members of the WIC, to give the opportunity to each party involved to provide update on their respective tasks and finally, to discuss some of the key issues that are under the Committee's responsibility, i.e. training, establishment of the other committees included in the Agreement and open the discussions for the basis of a communication plan.
On August 3rd, 2015, Nemaska Lithium hired Bruno Ouellet as Human Resources Manager. As such, he will be in charge of the various tasks associated with identifying, defining and documenting jobs and training opportunities associated with the development of the Whabouchi Mine Project. Mr. Ouellet will be working in close collaboration with Nemaska Lithium's Director of Environmental and Social Responsibility, Mr. Simon Thibault, in order to facilitate the access to those opportunities for local communities, both Crees and Jamesians. Mr. Ouellet holds a B.Sc. in Industrial Relations from Laval University and has 15 years of experience in Human Resources and Health and Safety in various industries. Previously, from 2003 to 2011, Mr. Ouellet developed a strong relationship with the Crees of Eeyou Istchee working with the Cree Board of Health and Social Services of James Bay (CBHSSJB). Since 2011, he worked on several start-up projects in the resources sector in Canada and Africa.
In September 2015, Mr. Ouellet will be travelling to the Eeyou Istchee James Bay region to meet with key stakeholders involved in the field of economic development and education/training to identify what are the local and regional capacities and how Nemaska Lithium can partner with them to increase the local and regional economic benefits of its Whabouchi Mine Project.
Also during the month of September 2015, Mr. Simon Thibault will be staying in the Cree community of Nemaska for the month in order to hold an open community meeting to detail and explain all conditions included in the provincial and federal permits as Nemaska Lithium has received a positive federal decision on July 29, 2015 and is expecting to have received the provincial certificate of authorisation by the end of August 2015. Furthermore, as Nemaska Lithium's former Community Relations Officer (or Liaison Agent), Mr. Greg Jolly, was elected as Deputy Chief of the Cree Nation of Nemaska and therefore had to leave its position within the Corporation, Mr. Thibault will be initiating discussions within the community in order to find potential candidates for the position of Liaison Agent for the Corporation; with the objective to have concluded this process by the end of 2015. As part of his trip, Mr. Thibault will also be meeting with representatives of Chibougamau-Chapais to provide updates on project development.
The entire team of Nemaska Lithium wants to sincerely thank Mr. Greg Jolly for his excellent work while he was fulfilling the takes as Community Relations Officer since October 2012 and wishes him all the best as Deputy Chief of the Cree Nation of Nemaska.
Finally, in order to fully comply with best practices in the mining industry and to respect some of the key commitments it made as part of the Environmental Assessment process, Nemaska Lithium is now elaborating its Sustainable Development Policy as well as its Local and Regional Employment and Procurement Strategy, both to be adopted and implemented in Q4-2015. Such actions are clear signs of Nemaska Lithium's will to develop and operate a mine that does not only comply with applicable regulations, but also with the best practices applicable to the mining industry. Those documents will also be presented to the communities of Nemaska and Chibougamau-Chapais before being finally adopted.
"The multiple actions Nemaska Lithium has initiated and completed in the recent weeks are clear signs of how rapidly the Whabouchi Project is moving forward as the applicable Environmental Assessment process is ending," commented Simon Thibault, Director, Environmental and Social Responsibility for Nemaska Lithium. "We however do not see such progress as a conclusion to Nemaska Lithium's commitment to develop and operate a mine that is socially and environmentally acceptable, but as a first step. The Crees and Jamesians have backed our project since its inception and we are committed in maintaining and enhancing the quality of the relationship we have established with them over the last years."
Source: http://www.nemaskalithium.com/