Mining conglomerate and bands agree to work together

Page 4

A statement released Aug. 24 by the Carrier Sekani Tribal Council, reports that Northgate Minerals Corporation has made an unprecedented move to establish a working relationship with five First Nations with whom it previously has not always had a good rapport. The mining conglomerate has inked a deal with the Gitxsan House of Nii Kyap, Fort Connelly, Takla First Nation, Tsay Keh Dene First Nation and Kwadacha First Nation that could mean mining exploration and the traditional way of life of the people of northeastern British Columbia can co-exist. They have signed a statement of understanding (SOU) to alleviate tensions that have been brewing over mineral exploration in the First Nations' traditional territories.

The agreement states the five First Nations at the location of the Kemess Mine and surrounding area have "court-interpreted rights and title."

Further, the SOU signed by Northgate Minerals Corporation's President and CEO Ken Stowe and representatives of the First Nations is said to "lay the groundwork for a mutually beneficial relationship and a process to negotiate a protocol for consultation and accommodation with respect to the proposed Kemess North Mine project."

The Kemess North project has been controversial, in part because of what is alleged to have occurred at the Kemess South mine.

First Nations have maintained they had not been consulted about that and other previous mineral exploration in accordance with their title and rights, and they have stated they would not allow another mine to proceed until they were given their due.

Generally they say they are not anti-development, but they expect to be partners and have the right to veto any resource exploration or extraction that takes place on traditional lands. They also cite numerous concerns about alleged desecration of the environment and contamination of the foods they eat.

Mine officials for their part have maintained they respect the environment and insist Kemess South has brought jobs to the region.

Until now, at least some of the First Nations were adamant they would not allow the nearby Kemess North project to proceed, citing lack of consultation and lack of respect for their Aboriginal rights.

At this time the federal and provincial governments are discussing how to conduct a "harmonized environmental review" of the Kemess North project.

Justa Monk, spokesperson for the five nations, stated "To date there has been no discussion or participation by any of the five nations in this 'government to government' process. This is a concern as both governments' silence at the treaty tables is placing a cloak of secrecy over the project."

On Aug. 24 Northgate Minerals met with the five First Nations in Prince George to start negotiating a process of consultation and accommodation.

Monk added, "The five nations have the ability to say no, and if we say no, Northgate will not proceed with the Kemess North project."

The five nations expect Northgate to "justify establishing the project" on their territories.

Stowe's name is affixed to the release that states the project will only proceed with the support of the five First Nations, and further that the mining company will partially fund a review of recent Kemess North project studies.

The gold and copper mining company's principal assets are the 300,000-ounce-per-year Kemess South Mine and the provable and probable reserve of 4.1 million ounces of gold in the Kemess North deposit.