New minesite proposed for Southend

New minesite proposed for Southend

Thursday, June 26, 2003 at 09:42

If all goes well the community of Southend could soon be home to a new venture that would bring about 40 new jobs for community members.

The Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation signed a memorandum of understanding this past weekend with Six Nations Mohawk Territory of Ontario and Industrial Minerals of Canada Incorporated to proceed with plans for a graphite mine located 6 miles northeast of Southend.

Under the partnership, PBCN Southend would own 50 percent of the business, while the Mohawks and IMCI would each have a 25 percent stake in the company.

Southend band councilor Clayton Morin says the MOU was just the first of a long list of tasks the band still has to complete before the venture becomes a reality.

Morin says the next phase will be to work with Indian Affairs to secure what’s called a gravel permit.

If the mine flies, Morin is told it could produce graphite for over one hundred years.