Shaakichiuwaanaan Mining Project

Planning Phase Engagement Report
Shaakichiuwaanaan Mining Project

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Document reference number: 48

February 18, 2026

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1. Introduction

On August 18, 2025, the Joint Impact Assessment Committee (the Committee), composed of representatives appointed by the Cree Nation Government (CNG) and the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada (IAAC), commenced an impact assessment of the Shaakichiuwaanaan Mining Project (the project) proposed by PMET Resources. During the Planning phase, the Committee conducted consultation and engagement activities with Indigenous People and the public. This report explains how the input provided by Indigenous groups and the public was used by the Committee.

1.1 Project context

PMET Resources is proposing the construction, operation, decommissioning and closure of a new hybrid open-pit and underground lithium mine located about 250 kilometers east of Radisson, Quebec (Figure 1). As proposed, the Shaakichiuwaanaan Mining Project would include an ore processing plant, a water treatment plant, a workers' camp, and storage areas for waste rock, tailings and ore. The mine would produce 49,500 tonnes of ore per day over a mine-life of about 24 years.

Figure 1: Open pit mining of spodumene pegmatite - Shaakichiuwaanaan

Figure 1: Open pit mining of spodumene pegmatite - Shaakichiuwaanaan

Source: PMET Resources, 2025 [Online]

The Planning phase for the impact assessment of the project was completed on August 18, 2025. This phase is the first of five phases in the federal impact assessment process under the Impact Assessment Act (Figure 2). The Planning phase was used to identify key issues related to the project, decide whether an impact assessment was required, understand how Indigenous People and the public would like to participate in the impact assessment process, and plan the assessment.

Figure 2: Planning phase within the impact assessment process

Figure 2: Planning phase within the impact assessment process

Timeline

  • Planning
  • Impact Statement
  • Impact Assessment
  • Decision-making
  • Post Decision

Source: Impact Assessment Agency of Canada, 2025

1.2 Report content

This report provides information on the consultation periods, including consultation and engagement activities conducted by the Committee during the Planning phase. It explains how the input received from Indigenous People and the public was used to identify key issues and inform both the process and associated documents.

This report also includes information on next steps in the impact assessment process, as well as how you can stay informed.

2. Consultation and engagement during the Planning phase

In February 2025, the Committee initiated a public consultation period on the Summary of an Initial Project Description and invited Indigenous Peoples, federal authorities, and the public to provide feedback on the project. As part of this consultation period, the Committee held two virtual information sessions to enable Indigenous Peoples and the public to learn about the project, the impact assessment process, and how to submit comments.

In June 2025, the Committee launched a second public consultation period to seek input on the draft Tailored Impact Assessment Guidelines and the draft Public Participation Plan.

For both consultation periods, Indigenous Peoples, federal authorities, and the public were invited to submit their comments online by visiting the project page on the Canadien Impact Assessment Registry (the Registry). The project team could also be contacted using the contact information listed on the Registry.

In addition, the Committee collaborated with Indigenous groups to prepare an Indigenous Engagement and Participation Plan for the project.

In total, the committee received 24 written comments during these two comment periods from federal authorities, Indigenous Peoples, non-governmental organizations, and members of the public. This includes comments received outside of the official public consultation periods. For transparency purposes, these comments were posted on the registry, subject to privacy-, security- or confidentiality-related exceptionsFootnote 1.

3. How input was used

3.1 Identifying key issues and proponent response

The Committee identified key issues based on comments received during consultation and engagement activities carried out during the Planning phase. The following are examples of key issues identified by Indigenous Peoples, federal authorities and the public in relation to effects within federal jurisdiction or potential adverse impacts on the rights of Indigenous Peoples recognized and affirmed by section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982:

  • Effects on fish and fish habitat, including fish species at risk, particularly due to the diversion of Lake 01;
  • Effects on migratory birds, including migratory bird species at risk;
  • Impacts on the current use of lands and resources for traditional purposes and the physical and cultural heritage of Indigenous peoples; and
  • Changes to the health, social and economic conditions of Indigenous peoples.

Taking into account the issues raised by Indigenous Peoples, federal authorities, and the public, the Committee prepared a Summary of Issues to the proponent. In April 2025, the proponent submitted its responses to the Summary of Issues (French only) to provide answers in relation to these issues. In this document, the proponent indicated its intentions to:

  • Develop a fish habitat offsetting plan and a fish relocation plan to further mitigate impacts on the local fish population.
  • Build a relationship with community members, in particular land users, by holding in-person meetings approximately every six weeks to provide information and respond to questions, with the aim of reducing stress and anxiety within the community; and
  • Commit to reducing potential impacts related on the health, social, and economic conditions of Indigenous groups through a number of measures, as recommended in the Impact Assessment and MMIWG Calls for Justice report.

3.2 Informing the decision of whether to require an impact assessment

On May 28, 2025, IAAC issued a Notice of Impact Assessment Decision with Reasons. In issuing this notice, IAAC took into account the fact that the carrying out of the project may cause adverse effects within federal jurisdiction or direct or incidental adverse effects, including effects on fish and fish habitat, migratory birds, and impacts on Indigenous peoples (changes to health, social, and economic conditions, physical and cultural heritage, and current use of lands and resources for traditional purposes). IAAC also took into account comments received from Indigenous groups, federal authorities and the public.

3.3 Informing preparation of the Tailored Impact Statement Guidelines

The Tailored Impact Statement Guidelines describes the information and studies that a proponent is required to include in its Impact Statement. Input from Indigenous Peoples, federal authorities and the public were received during the Planning phase contributed to the development of the Tailored Impact Statement Guidelines for the project.

In addition, the following modifications to the guidelines were inspired by comments received from Indigenous groups, or the public, during the second comment period on the draft version of the document:

  • Insertion of a requirement regarding the current use of land and resources for traditional purposes relating to past and present developments that have had an impact on such use (e.g., the La Grande hydroelectric project);
  • Insertion of details on the sequence of effects linking impacts on woodland caribou and the La Grande River watershed to impacts on the physical and cultural heritage of Indigenous groups;
  • Insertion of guidance documents and references relating to the health, social, and economic conditions of Indigenous peoples; and
  • Insertion of requirements regarding economic conditions, including the need to include Indigenous and federal economic development plans for the study areas and relevant treaty provisions relating to the economic activities of Indigenous peoples.

3.4 Informing preparation of the Indigenous Engagement and Partnership Plan

An Indigenous Engagement and Partnership Plan (IEPP) describes opportunities and methods for meaningful engagement and consultation with potentially affected Indigenous Peoples. The Committee worked collaboratively with Indigenous Peoples to prepare the IEPP for the project.

During the Planning phase, Indigenous Peoples contributed to defining the objectives, activities, and tools to facilitate their consultation in relation to the project.

With respect to Indigenous Knowledge, for instance, the Committee was advised that consultation should take place throughout the impact assessment process and must substantially address concerns raised by Indigenous communities. Consultation should also respect the communication methods preferred by Indigenous communities and take into account periods devoted to traditional activities.

Comments provided by Indigenous groups helped the Committee's understanding of which communities may be impacted by the project and the potential nature of these impacts.

The Committee modified the IEPP to reflect the above comments, as well as other comments made by Indigenous groups throughout the Planning phase.

3.5 Informing preparation of the Public Participation Plan

The Public Participation Plan describes the plan for engaging the public throughout the impact assessment process. Public comments contributed to the preparation of the Public Participation Plan for the project.

Public comments helped the Committee determine the participation preferences of the various groups involved in the impact assessment process. For example, some participants preferred participating in virtual information sessions, while others preferred posting their comments directly on the Registry. Public comments also enabled the Committee to identify other organizations with an interest in the project's impact assessment.

4. Next steps

On August 18, 2025, the Committee issued a Notice of Commencement of an Impact Assessment for the project and provided the proponent with the final Tailored Impact Statement Guidelines. The impact assessment of the project then entered the Impact Statement phase (Figure 3), during which the proponent collects information and conducts studies, as described in the Tailored Impact Statement Guidelines, to prepare the Impact Statement.

Figure 3: Impact Statement phase within the impact assessment process

Figure 3: Impact Statement phase within the impact assessment process

Timeline

  • Planning
  • Impact Statement
  • Impact Assessment
  • Decision-making
  • Post Decision

Source: Impact Assessment Agency of Canada, 2025

The Committee will continue to consult and engage with Indigenous Peoples and the public throughout the Impact Statement and Impact Assessment phase. As part of upcoming consultation and engagement activities, Indigenous Peoples and the public will be invited to provide comments on the proponent's Impact Statement, as well as on the Committee's Draft Impact Assessment Report and draft potential conditions.

5. Stay informed

5.1 Stay informed about the impact assessment of the Shaakichiuwaanaan Mining Project

5.2 Stay informed about the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada and other assessments

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