Northern Ont. First Nation agrees to end lawsuit over reopening mine

Taykwa Tagamou Nation is ending its lawsuit against Discovery Silver Corp. and has signed an agreement to allow the reopening of Parmour Mine.

Taykwa Tagamou Nation is ending its lawsuit against Discovery Silver Corp. in a case challenging government laws, regulations and authorization as they relate to mining activities and treaty rights in Ontario.

The announcement comes as the First Nation has signed a resource development agreement with Discovery.

The lawsuit was launched against Newmont Corp., which Discovery bought in January of this year.

In a news release, Taykwa Tagamou Nation (TNN) said it was looking to develop a new and better relationship with the U.S.-based mining company.

Consult and accommodate

“The claim sought to halt the re-commissioning and re-mining of the Pamour Mine until Ontario meaningfully discharged its constitutional duty to consult and accommodate TTN,” the release said.

“The longstanding relationship that we built with Discovery CEO Tony Makuch was the basis of concluding a win-win agreement,” Chief Bruce Archibald said in the release.

“For our part, Taykwa Tagamou Nation engaged in good faith negotiations to resolve the matter beginning in March 2025. While it took us seven months to finalize, we believe that we have a lasting agreement that will ensure that TTN is a key partner in all resource development in our traditional/ancestral lands.”

“We are honored to have entered into this agreement with TTN and wish to thank the band council and particularly Chief Bruce Archibald for their trust in us and commitment to working together,” Makuch said in a new release from Discovery.

“This agreement provides the framework for responsible development within their traditional territory, ensuring that the members of TTN share in the economic benefits of our business operations and participate in our efforts to respect the land and waters, minimizing negative impacts and supporting the prosperity of other local communities.”

Archibald added that TTN is not opposed to “responsible and sustainable development in their territory, but that they also must uphold their sacred duties under Treaty No. 9, signed in 1905.”

While the Discovery Silver lawsuit is resolved, TTN continues to call for Ontario to fulfill its constitutional duty to consult and accommodate the TTN and to work with the First Nation in managing the cumulative impacts of mining activities.