First Nation wants mine project stopped

Wednesday, November 22, 2006
Prince George Citizen

by GORDON HOEKSTRA

A First Nation has asked a joint Canada-B.C. environmental panel reviewing Northgate Minerals' proposed $200-million mine project in northern B.C. to halt the process because it says aboriginals haven't been properly consulted.

Gordon Sebastian, executive director of the Gitxsan House of Nii Kyap, said it will be submitting a written request to the panel on Monday, to give the B.C. and federal government time to respond.

The panel -- appointed jointly by B.C. and the federal government -- has added an extra hearing day next Wednesday in Victoria, where the B.C. Attorney General's office and the federal justice department have been asked to address the issue, said Sebastian.

Officials with the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency -- which is co-ordinating the panel review -- were not available Tuesday for comment.

The Gitxsan made its request during a presentation at week-long public hearings in Smithers, 370 kilometres west of Prince George. A week of public hearings have already been held in Prince George, where one of the main concerns from First Nations was their belief there had been no consultation from the province and federal government.

The Gitxsan had requested $1.5 million so they could participate properly in the review process, but the governments offered $80,000, noted Sebastian. "That's an insult," he said.

The Gitxsan represent 12,000 people and have laid claim to a vast territory that envelopes Duncan Lake, which Northgate proposes to use to dump mine and milling waste.

The use of the lake is one of the key environmental issues.

The Tse Kay Neh Nations -- who also say the area is part of their traditional territory -- are vehemently opposed to the use of Duncan Lake, called Amazay in the Sekani language.

The First Nations are not only concerned about the impacts on Duncan Lake, which is home to several species of fish, but the potential for acid-run off into the Finlay River system, impacts on drinking water, and the impacts on wildlife.

Northgate says the use of the lake is the best environmental option and the only economically feasible option: $200 million versus the next scenario at $1 billion. Provincial mining officials have agreed it's the best environmental option as it prevents oxygen from starting the acid-generating process.

The company hopes to extend the life of its existing operations for a decade by opening a second pit, called Kemess North. The existing Kemess South operations nearby, include a open pit and ore milling facility, as well as a tailings pond.

At stake are 350 jobs for mine workers, some of whom live in Prince George and Smithers.