Tata Steel Minerals Canada (TSMC) and the NunatuKavut Community Council (NCC) signed a cooperation agreement for the Direct Shipping Ore (DSO) project.
TSMC is a joint venture between Tata Steel and New Millennium Iron (NML), which have 80% and 20% interests, respectively. TSMC is developing iron-ore deposits in the Canadian provinces of Quebec, Newfoundland and Labrador. TSMC is part of Tata Steel Group of companies. NCC is the aboriginal organisation representing the Southern Inuit of Labrador. The aboriginal organisation from Labrador and the mining company have been in negotiations for many months to form an agreement that addresses issues of concern for NCC and provides socio-economic benefits to NCC and its people. The agreement covers environmental protection, employment and business opportunities including financial benefits. It also commits TSMC to make every reasonable effort to ensure that contractors hired to work on the DSO Project also comply with the agreement where warranted.
“Companies know they have to deal with our real concerns,” says Todd Russell, NCC President, in the same press release. “This is another indication that we can do so in an air of mutual respect.” Rajesh Sharma, CEO & MD of TSMC, said, “We are very happy to sign this agreement with NunatuKavut Community Council, which attests our desire to continue building positive relations with the communities. The signing of this agreement is an important milestone in the journey of TSMC.”