 |
|
|
|
| On October 25, 2003, twenty-seven elders from Innu Nation and Labrador Inuit Association traveled to the Voisey’s Bay construction site in northern Labrador. During their day-long visit, the group participated in an interpretive tour which included stops at the expanded construction camp at Anaktalak Bay and the mine and concentrator construction site. |
|
 |
|
|
The concept of partnering to achieve common goals is the foundation on which the Voisey’s Bay development agreement was built. In 2002, through Impacts and Benefits Agreements (IBAs) signed with Innu Nation and Labrador Inuit Association, VBNC began strengthening relationships with Aboriginal communities in Labrador. IBAs are legally binding agreements that establish targets for Innu and Inuit employment and training; company monitoring and reporting requirements; Aboriginal involvement in environmental monitoring, permit review and engineering drawing reviews; and addressing cultural issues. The progress we have made and the results we have achieved over the past year demonstrate that these relationships are intact, mutually supportive and are producing benefits for VBNC and Aboriginal peoples in Labrador.
We have also developed innovative partnerships with all levels of government and with Memorial University. These partnership agreements cover everything from research to human resources training to development principles to local benefits. Our company is committed to working with all stakeholders to ensure that Newfoundlanders and Labradorians are the primary beneficiaries of the Voisey’s Bay project.
One of the most complex partnerships VBNC has forged is with the Resource Development Council (RDC), an organization that encompasses 17 trades unions. We negotiated an agreement with the RDC in 2002 that included a set of hiring guidelines that apply to all contractors working at the mine and concentrator site. The agreement with the RDC gives qualified non-unionized Innu, Inuit and other Labradorians, priority for jobs at site over union members from the island, dependent on whether or not an individual has the appropriate qualifications. The RDC has agreed to waive the practice normally used at unionized job sites, which requires contractors to rely exclusively on the unions to provide qualified workers. We will continue to work with the RDC in 2004 to negotiate a similar agreement for the construction of the hydromet demonstration facility in Argentia.
|
)