Nova Copper, Mi’kmaw Chiefs ink deal in Cape Breton

Nova Copper and the Assembly of Nova Scotia Mi’kmaw Chiefs signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) last week covering the proposed exploration and development of the Sydney copper project in Cape Breton.

The MOU serves as the foundation for open, good faith dialogue and opens the doors for the Mi’kmaq to be involved with Nova’s flagship project. It includes the undertaking of a Two-Eyed Seeing (Etuaptmumk) program to support a greater understanding of the project respecting the traditional knowledge of the Mi’kmaq.

“Mining is one of the major employers of Indigenous people across Canada and we want to see that success extend to our Mi’kmaw partners on Unama’ki (Cape Breton) and across Mi’kma’ki,” Nova Copper CEO Harry Cabrita said in a news release. “This MOU builds on the positive dialogue we have been pursuing for several years.”

The company is relogging historical core, digitizing a 3D model of the historical data and conducting a baseline water survey. The site has proximity to other established mineral projects and is located in a mining-friendly community with roads. On the project itself, there are 12 km of drill roads.

The Sydney project displays gold, molybdenum, silver and rhenium as well as copper. The company said it plans to complete an inaugural resource estimate and a preliminary economic assessment in the next 24 months.