The Nak'azdli First Nation is considering a revenue-sharing offer from the B.C. government on the $917-million Mount Milligan mine in north-central B.C., as well as a benefits agreement with Thompson Creek Metals.
The First Nation has until April 15 to give an answer to the province.
The band is set to have another meeting with the company over its offer of cash and job benefits.
While the community still has environmental concerns over the open pit gold and copper mine -- and would want to play a role in environmental oversight -- the revenue sharing and jobs would help the community, said Nak'azdli First Nation chief Fred Sam.
"We want the people to decide, not the band council," said Sam on Thursday, noting they are trying to ensure that they talk to as many people in the community as possible, including, possibly, by going door to door. The Nakazdli's main community is adjacent to Fort St. James.
Sam said they will not be revealing details of the offer until they make a decision.
As part of their decision on whether to accept the offer from the province, the band will also consider whether to drop a pair of court challenges of the project at the provincial and federal levels, said Sam.
If the Nak'azdli accept the offers from the province and company, it would be a softening of their approach, and remove any remaining potential obstacles to the development of the mine.
While the mine has received provincial and federal regulatory approval, the Nak'azdli court cases continued to put a question mark on the project.
The court challenges claimed the province and Ottawa had not properly consulted the Nak'azdli on its concerns over the open pit mine, located about 145 kilometres northwest of Prince George.
While the Nak'azdli had been reluctant to support the project, the McLeod Lake Indian Band signed a revenue-sharing agreement with the B.C. government seven months ago.
The province estimated the McLeod Lake band would collect $35 million to $40 million through the revenue-sharing agreement over the 15-year life of the mine.
At the time, McLeod Lake Indian Band chief Derek Orr said the agreement set a new standard of participation for the band in economic development within its traditional territory.
The mine promises some of the first new industrial jobs in the region in more than a decade.
The mine is expected to create 400 jobs. Between 200 to 600 workers will also be needed during the mine's two-year construction period.
Thompson Creek Metals is planning to start a major construction push this year.
