Central B.C. First Nation moves to block new gold and copper mine

A B.C. First Nation has filed a petition in B.C. Supreme Court to stop the proposed development of a gold and copper mine in the central Interior of the province.

The Nak'azdli Band said Wednesday that the petition against the mine at Mount Milligan, north of Prince George, was filed because the province reneged on its promises to hold consultations.

The band was promised a government-to-government consultation process by the ministry of mines before any approvals would be issued, but Terrane Metals has since received permits to start work at the site, band officials said.

According to Terrane Metals, the Mount Milligan mine has already received an environmental assessment certificate from the B.C. government. The planned open pit mine has reserves of more than 700,000 metric tonnes of copper and 4.6 million ounces of gold, according to the company.

Chief Fred Sam accused the province of failing to respect the decision-making authority of the Nak'azdli, and leaving with band with no option but to file a petition against the proposed mine project and order Terrane Metals to remove all its infrastructure and equipment from band territory.

Independent studies indicate the planned mine will pollute nearby streams, destroy important fish habitat, harm wildlife in the region and infringe on aboriginal rights and title, said Sam. 

The Nak'azdli band is a member of the Carrier Sekani Tribal Council along with six other First Nation Bands: Burns Lake, Nad'leh Whuten, Saik'uz First Nation, Takla Lake First Nation, Tl'azt'en Nation and Wet'suwet'en First Nation.