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Noront

Innovative Practice/Initiative: Community Outreach Summer Camp for Aboriginal Peoples

Organisation Profile

Noront Resources Ltd. (TSX Venture: NOT) is focused on its significant and multiple, high-grade nickel-copper-platinum-palladium, chromite, gold and vanadium discoveries in an area known as the "Ring of Fire", an emerging multi-metals district located in the James Bay Lowlands of Ontario, Canada. Noront is the largest land holder at the Ring of Fire and continues to delineate and prove up its discoveries with NI 43-101 technical and economic reports and an aggressive and well financed drill plan for 2011.

Noront's transition from junior explorer to producer has three key focus points:

Exploration, to increase its nickel, copper, platinum and palladium resource; -Engineering and Development, to verify that existing resources can be profitably mined, processed, transported and sold; and -Corporate Responsibility, to work with local First Nations Communities and all levels of government for the benefit of all Ontarians.

The Organisation's Initiative

In August of 2010, Noront Resources Ltd. partnered with the Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada, the Ontario Ministry of Aboriginal Affairs, the Ontario Ministry of Northern Development, Mines and Forestry and the communities of Marten Falls First Nation and Webequie First Nation to sponsor the first ever community based PDAC Mining Matters Aboriginal Youth Outreach Summer Camp.

young aboriginal male

The PDAC Mining Matters Aboriginal Youth Outreach Summer Program is designed to engage Aboriginal youth in Earth sciences in a fun and interactive camp setting using authentic data, resource materials, and activities that explore the technological advances that have made Canada a world leader in mineral exploration and mining.

The program illustrates real-world experience with Earth science, mineral exploration, and mining—not just theories and concepts. Youth living in these remote fly in Ontario communities learned about rocks, minerals, and metals and their importance in everyday life, Ontario's geology, and the mining sequence.

The Aboriginal Youth Outreach Summer Camp provided over 104 youth with hands on experience and specific information to help them explore mining oriented careers and to guide them in their chosen field. Aboriginal youth attending the week long camp were from two communities nearest the project; Marten Falls First Nation and Webequie First Nation. For Noront, training a local workforce for the future to build and service the development is of paramount importance. Part of the strategy is to give career guidance to young people on what kind of jobs are available in the mining sequence, beginning at the prospecting stage and following through to mine reclamation. Marketing these careers to elementary-aged school children is valuable because they are starting to make decisions about courses and directions to take in high school. Aboriginal youth must have the opportunity to comprehend and be more responsive to what mining and exploration is all about, and to understand what jobs and career paths are available. It is the intention of the program to engage the youth in the mining industry and encouraging them to stay in school. The objectives of the Mining Matters Aboriginal Youth Outreach Summer Camp include:

Connecting mining industry professionals with Aboriginal youth in the vicinity of the Ring of Fire
Exposing youth to Earth science, in particular geology, mineral exploration, mining, and career opportunities within the mining industry
Providing youth with science and technology experiences in settings beyond the classroom and curriculum
Developing youth's understanding of Ontario's achievements in research and development, leading them to informed post-secondary academic and career choices

The camp was divided into Junior and Senior campers focused on introducing the youth in these two First Nation communities to a wide variety of practical geological and mineral exploration activities, including prospecting, claim staking, mapping, GPS technology and environmental geochemistry. At the end of the week the youth showcased their interest and knowledge in Earth Science, mineral exploration and mining to member of their communities during an evening community gathering. A feast was prepared by community members and everyone participated in traditional craft activities, soap stone carving and traditional drumming.

The benefits of providing this type of community based camp experience include:

Establishment of educational initiatives that will positively impact the quality of education for youth
Enhanced skills in science literacy, literacy, numeracy, teamwork, technology use, problem solving, and critical thinking for youth
Increased school attendance rates
Increased interest in Earth science, mineral exploration, mining, the environment and future career opportunities
Aboriginal community input to all community camp programs developed and delivered to youth
Support of local economy, including employment opportunities for camp support staff and service/supply requirements
Increased awareness of the important role that rocks, metals, minerals and mining play in their lives
Enhanced relationships between Aboriginal communities, resource sectors and government
Opportunities to profile the leadership of participating mining corporations willing to invest in the skills development and employment success of Aboriginal Canadians
Positioning company partners as a potential employer of choice among Aboriginal Youth
Positive media attention for partners and has proven to be in line with organization CSR initiatives

Evidence of Impacts

The camp which was originally only designed to have 30 students participate in each community had overwhelming interest and ended up with 58 campers in Webequie and 46 campers in Marten Falls. Due to the camp's large success, Webequie Chief Cornelius Wabasse is excited to welcome the PDAC Mining Matters camp back to his community again next summer.

What was your favourite activity/why?

"My favourite activity was learning about mapping, why, it was awesome." - Evan	"My favourite activity was learning about the different kinds of rocks, because it helped me learn more about how they become rock and stuff like that and it helped me learn more about rocks!" - Carol / Keesis
"My favourite activity was when we got into 4 groups to solve up a puzzle with the kids. It taught me how to be a team player and a good leader." - Eric Shewaybick	"My favourite activity was the cookie mining because it was fun." - Shane Troutlake
"My favourite activity was mapping. It was fun. I never knew how to map." - Unknown	What were you surprised to learn about the mining industry?
"Mapping, never knew how to map" - Unknown	"Learning about rocks" - Evan
I was surprised to learn that underground mining was the safest place to work. I thought it was dangerous." - Carol / Keesis	"I was surprised how much a geologist makes per day, that motivated me to become one as well." - Eric Shewaybick
"I was surprised to learn many things about rocks and mineral." - Shane Troutlake
Leanne Hall, Vice President Human Resources, Noront Resources Ltd. notes: "Introducing the youth of these First Nation communities to rocks, minerals and geology in a fun, educational camp setting is an honour. These young people are our future, and there is no time like the present to invest in their learning of our great mining industry.	""PDAC Mining Matters is committed to building on existing education and training initiatives as well as developing new programs to engage Aboriginal youth and develop an interest in the minerals industry. We understand that building new, and strengthening existing partnerships with First Nations, industry and educational partners is critical to designing and delivering effective programs." notes Patricia Dillon, President PDAC Mining Matters.