New government-to-government and mineral tax revenue-sharing agreements provide for economic benefits and collaboration opportunities for First Nations in northern B.C., related to the proposed Kemess Underground mine.
Tsay Keh Dene Nation, Takla Lake First Nation and Kwadacha Nation, collectively known as Tse Keh Nay, and the Province, have signed respective Economic and Community Development Agreements.
These agreements will provide the First Nations a share of mineral tax revenues from the mine after it begins production, and a commitment for ongoing collaboration and engagement on the long-term permitting requirements and operation of the mine.
The Province and Tse Keh Nay have also committed to work together through a government-to-government agreement to help address other Tse Keh Nay interests related to the proposed Kemess Underground mine, including collaborating on potential land management measures for culturally important areas near the mine; helping to identify training programs to help prepare Tse Keh Nay members for jobs at the mine; and involving the Tse Keh Nay in the safety, management and monitoring of the access road to the mine site.
These agreements build on the successful collaboration between Tse Keh Nay and the Environmental Assessment Office, which jointly drafted the Aboriginal section of the Assessment Report for the Kemess project as part of the environmental assessment process, and came to general agreement on the conditions in the environmental assessment certificate issued to AuRico Metals Ltd. on March 13, 2017.
This partnership reflects the Province’s commitment to ensuring First Nations benefit from resource development in their traditional territories, and have opportunities for meaningful input into how projects are planned, developed and operated.
