Young welding students in Nunavut will now be more likely to obtain future employment in their trade, thanks to a new collaboration.
Cambridge Bay’s Red Fish Arts Studio has initiated a partnership with the international miner B2Gold Corp. (TSX: BTO) (NYSE AMERICAN: BTG), the local publication Nunatsiaq News reported Tuesday.
“This partnership will elevate the training we offer to a new level and expose Inuit youth to amazing career opportunities,” Attima Hadlari, Red Fish chairperson, said. The local media outlet did not specify how much funding would be made available by the mining company.
The youth from Red Fish will potentially secure employment in B2Gold’s Back River gold district and its advanced Goose project in the territory.
The art studio was established in 2018 to help local youth succeed in their future undertakings.
“The program serves as a beacon of hope for at-risk youth, aged 17 to 30,” Red Fish said. “Here, they find not just a workshop, but a sanctuary—a place where dreams take shape.”
The arts studio partnered with the Municipality of Cambridge Bay last fall to form the Redfish Arts Society. The new non-profit merger is intended to help the welders acquire more funding.
“It’s a massive win for our community and everyone involved,” Hadlari said in October. “It just allows us to do what we’re great at and ultimately help more kids.”
In the workshop this month. Photo credit: Red Fish Arts Studio
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B2Gold invests millions into Back River gold district
The mining company’s current budget for the Back River gold district and Goose project totals C$890 million. B2Gold expects to have construction of the Goose mill completed by 2025.
The precious metal producer anticipates having its first gold pour in Nunavut by the end of Q1 next year.
B2Gold has mining operations in several countries throughout the globe. These include Canada, Mali, Namibia, the Philippines and Colombia.
The gold producer’s influence also extends into Newfoundland, Nevada and Nicaragua through a 25 per cent stake in Calibre Mining Corp. (TSX: CXB) (OTCQX: CXBMF).
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau signed a devolution agreement last month with Nunavut Premier P.J. Akeeagok, giving the territory full control over its resources.
This deal enables Nunavut to collect royalties on commodities like gold, diamonds and rare earths that would go to the federal government in other parts of Canada.
“It means that we, the people most invested in our homeland, will be the ones managing our natural resources,” Akeeagok told Reuters.
Trudeau once visited the Red Fish Arts Studio in mid-2022.
Photo credit: Red Fish Arts Studio
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