Constance Lake First Nation (CLFN)
Cooperation and Partnership
Since the discovery of major graphite deposits in 2011, ZEN has actively and regularly engaged with Constance Lake First Nation’s Chief, Councillors, band members and residents. In 2018, Constance Lake and ZEN signed a Memorandum of Understanding, leading to the creation of a business partnership for project development. A transparent and inclusive partnership with CLFN is essential to the development of the Albany Deposit becoming the world’s leading graphene precursor material source. Our partnership ensures shared governance, decision-making and mutual economic objectives, expectations and benefits, while supporting the completion of environmental work and permitting.
Constance Lake
Since the discovery of the Albany Deposit in 2011 on Constance Lake First Nation’s (CLFN) traditional lands, ZEN has been working closely with the Chief, councilors, band members and residents of CLFN. A transparent and inclusive partnership with CLFN on the development of the Albany Deposit is essential to the deposit becoming the world’s leading graphene precursor material source.
In September 2018, ZEN and CLFN signed a Memorandum of Understanding toward creating a Project Partnership Structure (PPS) to guide the development of the Albany Deposit. The PPS ensures shared governance, decision-making and support for community engagement for the Albany Deposit. The PPS outlines the Albany Deposit’s shared objectives and expectations, and aligns economic expectations and benefits of the project.
In 2019, ZEN began an environmental baseline studies program, working collaboratively with CLFN band members and ERM Canada Ltd.’s team of scientists, biologists, and engineers. Members from CLFN participated in the baseline studies, providing local knowledge and supporting data collection (see videos below). The collected data supports the physical and biological characterization of the site that is required for project development planning and regulatory permitting.
ZEN recognizes the major role CLFN plays in the development of the Albany Graphite Deposit. ZEN’s partnership is an opportunity for CLFN members to gain skills directly applicable to the minerals development sector. ZEN prioritizes working with local businesses and suppliers, and hiring CLFN and Indigenous workers and operators at every stage of the Albany Deposit development program.
For more information on Constance Lake First Nation, please visit their website.
Environmental Baseline Study Field Visit Videos 2019
ZEN CLFN Soil and Tree Sample Video – On Site