The B.C. Supreme Court has dismissed a lawsuit in which the Stellat'en First Nations alleged the provincial government failed to properly consult the band in relation to the Endako molybdenum mine expansion project.
The province "acted honourably," Justice Robert Crawford said in a 57-page reasons for judgment issued Monday.
"It correctly determined the scope of its duty to consult Stellat'en and then engaged in consultation that is adequate and reasonable in the circumstances," Crawford continued.
Denver-based Thompson Creek Metals Company Inc., a 75-per-cent owner of the mine, welcomed the news.
"We are extremely pleased with the court's decision and remain fully committed to appropriate consultation and building positive relationships with First Nations regarding the expansion project and all of our Canadian operations and projects," said Thompson Creek CEO Kevin Loughrey in a statement.
Stellat'en First Nations chief Reginald Louis did not return a request for comment Monday afternoon.
Buoyed by an increase in the price of molybdenum, owners of the mine 160 kilometres west of Prince George and near Fraser Lake, scrapped a plan to close the site between 2011 and 2013 in favour of keeping it open until 2025.
Concurrently, a new processing mill is being constructed to replace the 45-year old plant and increase the mill capacity to 50,000 tonnes per day from 28,000 tonnes per day the site area will be expanded by 239 hectares to 1,653 hectares. The $500-million project is slated for completion by the end of this year and there are about 260 jobs at the mine.
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