LandKeepers News Archive
Important Mining Consultation Agreement Signed
April 07 2009 | Media Releases | Government of BC
IMPORTANT MINING CONSULTATION AGREEMENT SIGNED
April 7, 2009
KAMLOOPS – The Province and Stk’emlupsemc of the Secwepemc Nation (SSN) have signed a Mining and Minerals Agreement that will help to develop capacity to participate in, and benefit from, mining activities in its territory in the future, Minister of State for Mining Gordon Hogg announced today.
“For many years, the Tk’emlúps and the Skeetchestn Indian Bands have demonstrated great leadership and vision in their negotiations with Government and industry,” said Minister of State for Mining Gordon Hogg. “The agreement will help us gain a better understanding of each other’s interests and create greater certainty for all.”
The agreement between the Province and the Stk’emlupsemc of the Secwepemc Nation as represented by the Tk’emlúps (formerly Kamloops) Indian Band and the Skeetchestn Indian Band, will increase clarity in the consultation process by clearly defining timelines, creating guidelines, and establishing regular meetings.
Shaped by the March 2008 Mining and Mineral Accord, the consultation agreement establishes an effective means for communication and information sharing between the Province and the Bands to ensure that future mining development will be done in a culturally sustainable manner.
Shaped by the principles of the New Relationship, the new agreement sets a framework that will:
· Increase clarity in the consultation process by clearly defining timelines, creating guidelines, and establishing regular meetings with respect to mining applications.
· Provide assistance through regular meetings in developing the bands’ capacity to participate in, and benefit from, mining activities within their traditional territories.
· Facilitate problem solving through the establishment of a Joint Resources Committee (SSN and the Province) to address SSN interests.
· Encourage an ongoing effort to establish early engagement by industry at the project planning phase.
The Ministry and SSN also announced today they have begun negotiations for revenue sharing for the New Afton Mine copper/silver/gold project, located 10 km from Kamloops. The negotiations are the first of their kind in B.C., and are the implementation of the Province’s October 2008 announcement to share revenue on all new major mine projects. Due to open in 2012, construction costs for the project are projected to total $643 million. The New Afton mine is expected to provide 200 jobs over its 12 year life.
The Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources is committed to developing a thriving, competitive, safe and environmentally responsible mineral resource sector for the benefit of all British Columbians.
30
Media
contact:
Jake Jacobs
Public Affairs Officer
Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources
250 952-0628
250 213-6934 (cell)
This Entry is Not Tagged. Click here to Add Tags