"The Memorandum of Cooperation will become a model of how future problems like this will not happen again," states Chief Morris. "I think the province needs to recognize that our free prior informed consent is necessary or mining development in the north could become a very expensive failure."

Platinex has also agreed to drop its lawsuit against the province and KI First Nation. Last year, KI chief Donny Morris and five other residents were sentenced to six months in jail for disobeying a court order to allow Plantinex to explore on their territory.

"I consider the decision of Platinex to not proceed with mining exploration in our territory as a major victory. My community was determined to stop Platinex and the Ontario government from arbitrarily imposing a mine at Nemeigusabins Lake," says chief Morris.