The Nak'azdli First Nation will receive roughly $24 million over the life of the Mount Milligan gold and copper mine through an economic development agreement signed Tuesday with the provincial government.
Jobs, Tourism and Innovation Minister Pat Bell said the deal is a significant step forward in relations between the Nak'azdli, the mine and the provincial government.
The mine, now under construction, is located about halfway between Fort St. James and Mackenzie. A similar agreement is already in place with the McLeod Lake Indian Band.
Nak'azdli Chief Fred Sam said the agreement is the "beginning of a relationship between Nak'azdli and the province of British Columbia."
The money will come to the bands through the sharing of mineral tax revenue generated by new mines and major mine expansions.
Thompson Creek Metals (TCM) will spend as much as $1.5 billion on the project which is expected to last 22 years once it begins operating late next year.
It is expected to be 81 million pounds of copper and 194,000 ounces of gold. Production in years one through six is expected to be higher at 89 million pounds of copper and 262,000 ounces of gold per year.
TCM corporate responsibility director Jocelyn Fraser said the agreement is a "positive step" and
stressed it is between the Nak'azdli and the provincial government.
"We have a formal agreement with McLeod Lake and we're continuing discussion with Nak'azdli on a more formal agreement," Fraser said. "Meanwhile, we're just looking at ways to ensure that jobs and opportunities come to the band members as the project develops."
The Nak'azdli's has about 1,700 members and its main reserve is located adjacent to Fort St. James.
