As First Nations community hearings into the proposed New Prosperity open pit copper and gold mine get underway on Tuesday, the company behind the project said the mine won't have a major impact on Aboriginal hunting and fishing in the region.
Taseko director of environment and government affairs Katherine Gizikoff told a Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency panel in Williams Lake last week that the mine would have no significant adverse effects on current or traditional uses or Aboriginal rights.
Taseko is seeking to build a mine about 125 kilometres south of Williams Lake, but is facing opposition from First Nations and environmental groups. An initial application was rejected in 2010, in part due to concerns over Aboriginal rights, but Gizikoff said the new plan has resolved all outstanding issues.
"With regard to current use of land resources for traditional purpose, there are less hectares disturbed, there is reduced impact on wildlife habitat and reduced impact where hunting is restricted," she said. "There is increased access to Fish Lake in the vicinity, and within our environmental management plans, the reclamation plan to target species of interest has been broadened and our fish compensation and habitat compensation plans remain open for further discussion and additions."
Speaking on behalf of the Xeni Gwet'in people, John Lerner disputed the company's claims. He said the mine doesn't honour the sustainable development goals some First Nations groups in the region are advocating.
Lerner said the mine would further fragment the land, already disturbed by logging, which would limit traditional uses for the land.
"We envision a future where we have sufficient opportunity to practice our traditional uses of land, including hunting and fishing and collecting forest products, managing our wild and domestic horses and domestic cattle, teaching our traditional language and ways of the land, hosting gatherings and ceremonies," he said. "And these all depend on the health of the land."
The issues around First Nations rights will be front an centre for the next three weeks as the panel tours local Aboriginal communities, beginning Tuesday with the first of three days of hearings at the Xeni Gwet'in community hall. The panel will then make a site visit to Fish Lake on Friday followed by stops at eight other First Nations communities between Aug. 12 and 21.
Final arguments are scheduled for Aug. 23 in Williams Lake, after which the panel will begin preparing its report to the federal government. The cabinet will have the final say on whether or not the proposed mine meets federal regulations.
