The Sisson Project will, once constructed:

• Create hundreds of high-wage jobs for decades and strengthen New Brunswick employment and local communities;
• Contribute to the provincial economy through corporate and mineral taxes, which could be used to help fund education, health care and other provincially funded programs;
• Create spinoff jobs in the supply and service sectors; and
• Attract future mining investment in New Brunswick and help build the province's reputation as a desirable destination for resource development projects.

The Sisson Partnership believes that Sisson Project can be constructed and operated in an environmentally responsible manner that will generate important socioeconomic benefits for local communities, the province of New Brunswick and Canada.

Since 2010, Northcliff Resources and The Sisson Partnership has shared information about the Sisson Project with New Brunswick communities, First Nations and other stakeholders, and encouraged feedback - either directly to us or through the federal and provincial permitting process.

First Nations Engagement

In 2017, Sisson Partnership entered into a Cooperation Agreement with Woodstock First Nation. The Cooperation Agreement provides Woodstock First Nation with various economic opportunities and financial benefits and provides a long term framework for communication and cooperation between the parties.

The Province of New Brunswick signed an Accommodation Agreement with the six Maliseet First Nations of the Province in 2017, providing the Maliseet First Nations with share of provincial revenues from the Sisson Project.

In recognition of the importance of meaningful engagement with First Nations, in 2012 Sisson founded the First Nations Environmental Assessment Working group (FNEAWG) with representatives from St- Mary's FN, Woodstock FN, the Assembly, Federal and Provincial Government's and Sisson. This working group became the primary venue for engagement with First Nations and the exchange of information on the environmental impact assessment for the Sisson Project. Sisson Mines Limited (SML) provided capacity funding to FNEAWG enabling First Nations to hire their own technical experts (MSES) to review project information.

Sisson provided funding for the Aboriginal Traditional Knowledge (TKS) Study, which was managed by representatives of Woodstock, St Mary's and Madawaska First Nations. Open houses were held in various First Nations communities to allow for input from all interested community members on the TKS. The information contained within helped to provide an understanding of how the project might affect current land use by the Aboriginal community.

First Nations has been actively involved in the archaeological program for the Sisson Project. In 2014, First Nations were as involved in the development of a Heritage Mitigation Plan. SML funded a monitor, an independent archaeologist, a senior advisor and several field technicians to provided hands-on involvement. Annual reports prepared by the company's consultants describing the work completed during the field season have been shared with First Nations.

SML has been working directly with Aboriginal Workforce Development Initiative (AWDI) and Joint Economic Development Initiative (JEDI) to identify education and training opportunities for First Nations.

SML has engaged First Nations at the various stages of the project and will continue to share project information, and look for capacity building and employment opportunities for First Nations.

The Sisson Partnership continues to pursue partnerships with communities and First Nations related to jobs and training opportunities, and will continue to work with each community in a way that respects their interests in the Sisson Project as it advances.

Community Engagement

In support of the Environmental Impact Assessment Process SML held several Open Houses in communities surrounding the proposed mine Project.Open houses were held in Juniper, Stanley, Woodstock and Nackawic with over 200 participants.

SML published newsletters distributed to over 1,100 email subscribers, and 200 mail-out subscribers.The newsletters covered topics such as general project announcements, updates on the EIA process, Feasibility study, archeological program, and geological field programs.

SML established a Sustainability Working Group made up of representatives from the community and various environmental groups.SML hosted meetings to present information on the following topics:

• Feasibility Study Review and Discussions
• TSF Alternative Analysis Presentation and Discussion
• Water Quality and Management
• Education and training opportunities for area residents;
• the EIA process going forward: submission of the EIA Report, the regulatory process and future public comment opportunities;

In 2011, a storefront office opened in Stanley, and operated every second Wednesday and every second Saturday throughout the Environmental Impact Assessment process. The majority of drop-ins expressing interest in employment and contracting opportunities – and to inquire about the Project’s status.

The Fredericton Chamber of Commerce, the Carleton County Chamber of Commerce, the Woodstock Chamber of Commerce, Conseil Économique du Nouveau-Brunswick, the Miramichi Valley Business Association, and the Natural Resources Task Force have worked collaboratively with SML to ensure New Brunswick businesses within their respective organizations have opportunities to capitalize on the Sisson Project development.

SML hosted a community BBQ’s in the rural communities of Boiestown, Doaktown and Blackville. SML used the opportunity to meet community members and to share project information through its information booth. Approximately 160 people attended the BBQ.

The Sisson Partnership is committed to maximizing employment benefits for the province by ensuring New Brunswick residents are aware of job opportunities that will be available at the Sisson Project, and the skill set required for various positions. We continue to work closely with the New Brunswick Department of Post-Secondary Education Training and Labour, the New Brunswick Community College network, and the Aboriginal Workforce Development Initiative to ensure that the New Brunswick workforce is prepared for all of the employment opportunities the Sisson Project will present.

The Partnership has held several career information sessions in local communities and participated in a variety of job fairs to provide details on the types of jobs generally found in an open pit mining operation, specific job qualifications and education/skill requirements for potential employment opportunities. As the project advances, we will continue to work closely with our workforce and training partners and post job opportunities in New Brunswick newspapers and on the Sisson Project website. Those who have signed up for project updates through our Sisson Project website will also received timely notification of all job openings and other employment related news.