The Norway House Cree Nation (NHCN) has secured full ownership of the Minago nickel project in Manitoba through an $8 million cash transaction with Flying Nickel Mining Corp. Flying Nickel announced the closing of the sale on Oct. 30. 

The Minago project is situated 107 kilometres north of Grand Rapids, Manitoba, within the NHCN resource management area. Located in the Thompson nickel belt, Canada’s second-largest nickel belt, the project includes 94 mining claims spanning 192 square kilometres, two mining leases covering 4.25 kilometres, and a core storage and management facility located in Grand Rapids. 

An impact and benefit agreement between Flying Nickel and NHCN was signed on March 14, 2023, with official plans to sell the project to NHCN announced in August. 

“By taking full control with 100 per cent ownership and management, we can drive this project forward, focus on the environment, maximize employment and build economic opportunities for our people,” said Chief Larson Anderson of NHCN in a Nov. 1 press release.  

This acquisition marks a historic first, making the NHCN the sole Indigenous community in Canada to secure 100 per cent ownership of a mineral project. 

“Norway House Cree Nation is growing Manitoba’s low-carbon economy through this historic purchase, and through the partnerships formed,” said Jamie Moses, Manitoba’s economic development, investment, trade and natural resources minister, in the press release. “This Indigenous-led model will protect the environment, create good jobs for Manitoba First Nations and contribute to global energy needs well into the future. This new partnership and purchase is well aligned with our newly released critical minerals strategy.” 

The province unveiled its new critical minerals strategy on Nov. 4, which aims to speed up the development of mineral projects while also forging strong Indigenous partnerships. In the strategy, the Manitoba government shared several key actions, including the development of a provincial revenue-sharing model for mining in partnership with Indigenous nations.  

The Minago project obtained environmental approval for a 10,000 tonnes-per-day open-pit mine at the site in 2011 when it was owned by Victory Nickel. In 2021, Silver Elephant acquired the project for around US$11.7 million and the company proceeded to spin out the Minago project that same year, forming Flying Nickel.  

The project has estimated combined measured and indicated resources of 43.4 million tonnes grading at 0.72 per cent nickel and combined inferred resources of 9.2 million tonnes grading at 0.86 per cent nickel. 

The permitting process is now near completion, although the start date for the mine’s development has not yet been determined. 

The NHCN said that the site is construction ready and that it has camps in place to accommodate 124 workers.    

The NHCN listed several contractors it could use for the project. Through its Playgreen Development Company and JNR Construction joint venture with Sigfusson Northern, the NHCN provides earthworks, construction and mine development services across northern Manitoba.  

The NHCN has also partnered with Dumas Contracting to hire and train NHCN members in mining as well as partnered with other drilling companies to expand its drilling, blasting and crushing services.  

The NHCN is also focused on developing environmental testing and land guardian services to support contract work and ensure environmental protection for the Minago project.