Building Consensus and Partnerships with Indigenous Communities

Building consensus and partnership opportunities with Indigenous communities is essential to the success of critical materials supply chains. This session will provide insight from First Nations leaders, advisors and miners on what constitutes effective consultation, partnerships, and collaboration on critical minerals development.

• What concerns do First Nations communities have about the push to speed up mining permits and boost exploration for critical minerals and what challenges are they facing when engaging with mining companies on critical minerals development?
• What do First Nations need in terms of capacity and resources to deal with the pressures of a fast-growing battery supply industry?
• How can critical minerals development contribute to economic development in First Nations communities, and what are some of the key considerations that need to be taken into account?
• How do First Nations de-risk their investments and participation in these projects?
• What steps can mining companies take to ensure that their activities align with the values and priorities of Indigenous communities, and how can they demonstrate their commitment to these partnerships?
• How can provincial governments improve their approach to consultation and consent for critical minerals development in First Nations territories?
• What are some of the successful examples of critical minerals development partnerships between mining companies and Indigenous communities and how were they achieved?