Atikameksheng Anishnawbek and KGHM INTERNATIONAL LTD. sign Impact and Benefit Agreement for the Victoria Mine

KGHM INTERNATIONAL LTD. and Atikameksheng Anishnawbek are pleased to announce the parties have signed an Impact and Benefit Agreement (IBA) for the Victoria Mine. The historic agreement was signed on behalf of the parties by Gimaa Nootchtai of Atikameksheng Anishnawbek and Marek Bednarz, CEO and Michal Jezioro, Vice President, Indigenous Relations, on behalf of KGHM INTERNATIONAL LTD., on Saturday, September 6, 2025.

The signing ceremony took place in the community of Atikameksheng Anishnawbek. It was attended by Gimaa Nootchtai, Members of the Council, Representatives of the Elders, and Members of the Community, as well as the President of KGHM Polska Miedź S.A., Andrzej Szydło, the Chairman of the Supervisory Board of KGHM Polska Miedź S.A., Aleksander Cieśliński, and representatives of KGHM INTERNATIONAL LTD.

“The agreement concluded after many years of negotiations marks a breakthrough in relations with one of the key Right holders of the Victoria Project. It paves the way for subsequent stages of development of our Canadian mine and strengthens the position of the KGHM Group as a global player in the non-ferrous metals market,” said Andrzej Szydło, President of the Management Board of KGHM Polska Miedź S.A. “For KGHM, responsibility toward the local Communities in which we conduct production activities is of great importance. For years, we have been committed to fostering good-neighbourly relations, both in Poland and abroad. I am convinced that cooperation with the Atikameksheng Anishnawbek Indigenous Community will be of a partnership nature and prove valuable for both parties,” he added.

The IBA provides certainty to KGHMI over the life of mine, and benefits to Atikameksheng Anishnawbek community members throughout the mine cycle. The agreement reflects relationship building, respectful discussions, and knowledge sharing that took place over more than ten years. This began with the signing of an Advanced Exploration Agreement in 2014. 

The IBA includes provisions for agreement implementation, employment and training, project area access, business opportunities, environmental stewardship, ongoing engagement and consultation, and reciprocal, ongoing learning. 

The Mine Production Closure Plan (MPCP) was filed with the Ontario Ministry of Energy and Mines in 2024, incorporating technical comments and input from Atikameksheng Anishnawbek following a period of consultation. The Impact Benefit Agreement (IBA), along with the MPCP and the ongoing partnership between the two parties, outlines cooperation for the future Victoria Mine regarding development, operations, and reclamation with safety and sustainability considerations. The agreement and the MPCP are steps aimed at supporting economic and environmental reconciliation in the region.

The Victoria Mine Project site is located thirty-five kilometres west of the City of Greater Sudbury and will be an underground copper and nickel mine with an anticipated mine life of fourteen years.

“We are very proud and excited to be signing such a significant milestone agreement with Atikameksheng Anishnawbek. This achievement is a testament to the strong relationship we have developed over time and we are genuinely looking forward to continuing our cooperation and success together on the Victoria Project.” – Marek Bednarz, President and CEO - KGHM INTERNATIONAL LTD.

“I have had the chance to spend time, experience ceremonies and participate in cultural exchanges with Gimaa Nootchtai and community members from Atikameksheng Anishnawbek. It has given me a much better understanding and appreciation of the Indigenous culture, and I look forward to continuing this rewarding relationship with Atikameksheng Anishnawbek. This agreement is the culmination of years of consultation and relationship building, and we are very proud to be part of this agreement which supports partnership and sustainability.” – Michal Jezioro, Vice President, Indigenous Relations – KGHM INTERNATIONAL LTD.

“The signing of this Impact Benefit Agreement marks a historic milestone for Atikameksheng Anishnawbek. This agreement ensures that our Nation will share in the substantial financial benefits, employment opportunities, and procurement commitments for the life of the Victoria Mine. These benefits will support the growth of our community and provide opportunities for Debendaagziwaad for generations to come.

We acknowledge and honour the hard work and dedication of past and current leadership and all team members involved in the negotiation process; your persistence and commitment over many years made this agreement possible. We also extend our appreciation to KGHM INTERNATIONAL LTD. for entering into this agreement with us, and we look forward to building an even stronger relationship based on mutual respect and cooperation.

We are equally committed to ensuring that the mine operates in an environmentally sustainable manner. Our Land Guardians will play a central role in monitoring the project to safeguard our lands, waters, and the wildlife in the project area. This agreement brings us closer to realizing the goals we set out in our Comprehensive Community Plan and is a meaningful step forward in our sovereignty exercise. It reflects our Nation’s determination to build a future that balances economic opportunity, environmental stewardship, and cultural integrity.”

Gimaa Craig Nootchtai, Atikameksheng Anishnawbek

"The signing of the Impact Benefit Agreement with KGHM INTERNATIONAL LTD. represents a significant achievement for Atikameksheng Anishnawbek. From an administrative perspective, this agreement provides a framework that ensures long-term financial stability, career development opportunities, and business growth for our Nation. This means creating pathways for our members to access training, employment, and procurement opportunities, while ensuring that the benefits are felt broadly across our community.

I want to recognize the years of careful planning, negotiation, and collaboration that brought us to this point. The dedication of our past and current leaders, negotiating team, and community members has been instrumental in securing this milestone agreement.

Moving forward, our administration will prioritize accountability, clear communication, and strong partnerships with both community members and KGHM INTERNATIONAL LTD. Together, we will work to achieve a balance between economic prosperity and the protection of our lands and waters, in alignment with our Comprehensive Community Plan.

This agreement is more than a milestone — it reflects our Nation’s vision to strengthen our sovereignty, safeguard our environment, and honour our culture while building prosperity for Debendaagziwaad.”

Lorraine Naponse, CEO, Atikameksheng Anishnawbek

About Atikameksheng Anishnawbek

Atikameksheng Anishnawbek are descendants of the Ojibway, Algonquin and Odawa Nations.  In 1850, Chief Shawenekezhik, on behalf of the Atikameksheng Anishnawbek signed the Robinson Huron Treaty granting the British Crown and their people a right to occupy and share the lands of the Anishnawbek.  The current reservation lands are located approximately 19km west of the Greater City of Sudbury, near Lively.  The current land base is 43,747 acres, much of it being deciduous ad coniferous forests surrounded by eight lakes, with eighteen lakes within its boundaries.

About KGHM INTERNATIONAL LTD.

KGHM INTERNATIONAL LTD., (“KGHMI”) is a wholly owned subsidiary of KGHM Polska Miedź S.A., (KGHM S.A.) a multi-asset copper and non-ferrous metal producing company with headquarters in Vaughan, Ontario, Canada. KGHMI possesses operating subsidiaries in the United States, Canada and Chile established to explore, extract and enrich copper, nickel, molybdenum and precious metal ores. KGHMI is focused on environmental protection and is a leader in ensuring our mining practices are done sustainably.