Natives Push to Ensure Kemess North is NOT Resurrected

Monday, December 10, 2007 04:09 AM

There is increasing pressure to ensure the Joint Review Panel’s reccomendation to NOT go ahead with the Kemess North mine is followed.

The TseKeh Nay, Takla, Tsay Keh Dene and the Kwadacha First Nations have written to the BC Mining Association asking that group to stop and retract its campaign to undermine the Kemess North Mine Joint Review Panel’s central recommendation. They say once the project’s rejection has been confirmed by government, they invite industry to work with them on land and resource planning and on developing exploration programs and mines that are environmentally sustainable and respect Native rights.

The release says, “We think the industry and its supporters should come to terms with the reality of our aboriginal rights and titles and learn to work with us from exploration to development. Otherwise companies will only continue to sour relations with us, which will do nothing more than taint future project developments in our territories.”

The group says it is responding to comments from the Mining Association’s letter to MLA’s, senior government and provincial cabinet ministers dealing with the findings of the review panel.

Meantime Michael McPhie, President and CEO of the BC Mining Association says his association disagreed with the findings of the Commission. "We haven’t discounted the concerns raised by the First Nations; our issue is with the Government led process, not the First Nations."

McPhie says the BC Mining Association and Kemess Mines tried to put together a program and to reach agreement with the First Nations in that area. "We were unable to reach that agreement." McPhie says, “We, of the Mining Association can safely say that we have led all industries in this province in our negotiations with the First Nnations. We continue to lead in many fields."

As for the Kemess North project, Mcphie says the company (Northgate Minerals) has already written off that project, and is now in the process of winding down over the next few years. They have announced that they are going to place their investments in Australia and have already begun with the announcement of a $250 million dollar development.

The loss of the Kemess North mine and the Galore Creek mine are the equivalent of the 2010 Olympics when it comes to construction jobs. When Kemess South wraps in in 2009, 475 jobs will be lost.

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Posted on Monday, December 10, 2007 04:09 AM in News by 250 News

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Comments

Posted by: Andyfreeze on December 10 2007 7:26 AM

The Kemess mine must be enviromentally sound to proceed and I think we all agree with that.
No issues there!
The same with Galore Creek or any other mining venture.
However,it is NOT up to First Nations alone to decide what that is and whether or not they become actual working mines.
B.C. needs jobs, (and so do they) and mining is a viable possibility and important industry that must be looked at by the B.C./Federal government.
Mt.Milligan is another venture that is very close to permitting.
Considering it was permitted once before under Placer Dome, and the present owners Terrane Metals/Goldcorp have only improved the prospect property,there is no reason it should not go ahead.
Will the B.C. governmet have the guts to see it through, or will they allow B.C. to be run by First Nations?
Mining in B.C. will soon become an election issue that could make or break the B.C.government!
First Nations are an important part of B.C.culture, but they are not government and they DO NOT run this province,even though it sure as hell looks like it at times!
Never bite the hand that feeds you!

Posted by: YamaDooPolCat on December 10 2007 7:47 AM

Just stop plowing the Kemess road and take out a couple bridges, then the natives won't go to that area anymore either.

The only reason the natives are hanging around Kemess's kitchen now is because of the road to Kemess. When I was there before the road, the natives didn't go up there at all, ever. Only in their dreams. Native rights is simply an opportunity to act out their fantasies, load of crap.

Posted by: pisspulper on December 10 2007 7:59 AM

Sorry Andyfreeze, have to disagree with you on most of your points. Mining will never happen in this province, especially if its on First Nations land. The First Nations will and pretty well have already managed to move mining companies to look elsewhere. Toss around some ecology and environmental issues to please the media and its purveyors, down at Realityland the slogan is "Show Me The Money$$" Been to your local village lately, how many defunct oil leaking, anti-freeze seeping autos do you see. Some of them aren't more than a slight tad over a decade in age. How many tonnes of oil, anti-freeze and HCFC's do you think they have polluted their "OWN" land with. Hypocrits. The Federal and Provincial governments are petrified with First Nations dealings. Settle the claims, mark the damn territory, and then on your "own" with you. Let's see what bleeding heart story can be fabricated and manipulated next. Harsh, whatever, you feel it but won't say it!!!

Posted by: redneck on December 10 2007 8:09 AM

I agree lets settle the claims and then on your own like every other person born in this country

Posted by: pisspulper on December 10 2007 8:52 AM

On a lighter note , Merry X-Mas and Seasons Greetings to all who i've bantered and provoked.

Posted by: Andyfreeze on December 10 2007 9:24 AM

I completely agree with the settling of land claims and allowing First Nations to assume responsibility for themselves.
Long overdue, and a positive step in the right direction.
I think most people here in B.C. do support that.
However,communities like Fort St.James and Mackenzie, along with the surrounding areas, need ventures like the Mt.Milligan mine and mining in general,including Kemess.
So do First Nations people,and they live in close proximity to these communities too!
The government needs to recognize that and step up to the plate.
In fact as an example,,quite a few First Nations people were employed at Mt.Milligan this past year, and I would assume they will be again in the spring.
When was the last time they had an opportunity of that nature right in their own back yard?
I would also assume they were employed at Kemess.
Is it right that First Nations leaders or anyone else,including the provincial government, deny people gainful employment by attempting to stop all progress in the areas of these potential mines?
And, is it right that the needs of a few can speak for the needs of so many?
There is a very rough road ahead,and we are all in this together, but unfortunately our provincial Liberal government and even the federal government, don't seem to understand that.
Or care.
The provincial government obviously will sacrifice solid,sound government for the sake of political gain and a few votes, rather than do what is right and support ALL people here in the north.
In case they didn't notice,we don't all live on the lowermainland!
It is time they were taken to task for their inactivity and their lack of foresight!
This WILL become an election issue and big one at that.
The forest industry in B.C.is in crisis,as we are learning all too quickly,and long term and enviromentally sound alternatives can and must be found as fast as possible!
The next year will show us all whether or not we have REAL government or a bunch of gutless political opportunists as I am starting think!
It is time the people of northern B.C.stood up and made some noise!
If we don't speak for ourslves,nobody else will,because obviously our political representatives aren't going to do that!

Posted by: Andyfreeze on December 10 2007 9:34 AM

And a very Merry Christmas to you as well pisspulper!!
(even if that is no longer politically correct!)
Skoal!

Posted by: Jim13135 on December 10 2007 9:40 AM

I have to give a big high five to the First Nations Bands that rallied around to stop the Kemess North Project...and the plans to use one of our northern lakes as a tailings pond.

We sure never heard the 'save the environment' rally from the likes of the WWF, BCWF, NDP, Green Party or the likes.....and our local Liberals should have just upfront said NO.

And those of you that think that there is no cost to high to pay for jobs...take a look at what is going on in South America and see if that's the legacy you want to leave for your descendants.

Posted by: northman on December 10 2007 9:48 AM

"Kemess South wraps in in 2009, 475 jobs will be lost."
-Dont worry they can work for the olympics!

Posted by: Dozer on December 10 2007 10:02 AM

It is time we make the natives realize they are canadians just like it is time the french realize the same thing.Settle the land claims and then the shyser lawyers and chiefs who are putting all that money in their pockets will stop bleeding the country.Tax the natives like all the rest of us,& maybeythe will realise the are the same as the rest of the canadian people...

Posted by: pisspulper on December 10 2007 10:18 AM

I stand corrected, possibly in more ways than one, but perhaps OR should have been used insead of AND in my salutations. Happy Hannukah anyone??

Posted by: Andyfreeze on December 10 2007 1:16 PM

Nobody with half a brain wanted to see Duncan Lake used as a tailing pond.
And it wasn't just First Nations who were against the idea.
What is really suprising is that Kemess management was stupid enough to think they would actually get away with it!
But to simply write the project off at the cost of over 450+ jobs is short sighted.
There are better,more enviromentally sound ways of mining that could be found, and the B.C.government has an obligation to the workers and the people of B.C.to work with Kemess to find the solutions.
To just let it die on the table is not the best way to go,and is just as irresponsible as allowing Duncan Lake to be used as a tailing pond!

Posted by: REALIST on December 10 2007 2:09 PM

Let us not forget that the minerals and ores that we mine in British Columbia won't just evaporate if we do not mine them this second. Eventually, the mining companies will learn that they must mine in an safe manner and then we will all enjoy the wealth obtained as by the time the mining companies learn their lesson the resources will be worth a great deal more. Think long term and we all win think short term and greed and our home suffer.

Posted by: Andyfreeze on December 10 2007 2:43 PM

I agree REALIST for the most part but,
the tough part for many over the next few years will be jobs,or a lack of them!
Particularly here in the north.
Thinking long term also includes thinking of jobs and long term stability of the economy in general, and mining has been neglected here in B.C.and in the north for years by a couple of governments.
Maybe it's time to change that for the good of all.
There is nothing wrong with mining whatsoever if done properly and with strict enviromental guidelines.
And let's face it,we are dealing with a whole new ballgame in the forest industry unlike anything we have ever had to deal with before.
This is not just a downturn,it is a disaster and it's really gonna hurt!
It will affect us all,not just those in the forest sector.
Seems to me, we need to start thinking ahead.

Posted by: giterdun on December 10 2007 2:56 PM

WE'VE GOT A SERIOUS PROBLEM FOLKS. THE INDIAN INDUSTRY,CONTROLED BY THE BUREAUCRACY,THE ACCOUNTING FIRMS,THE LEGAL ESTABLISHMENTS AND THE FIRST NATIONS LEADERS,ARE IN THE PROCESS OF BILKING THE CANADIAN TAXPAYERS OUT OF BILLIONS. THIS HAS TO STOP OR WE WILL CEASE TO BE A SOLVENT NATION. WHAT TO DO?? WE THE ELECTORATE HAVE TO GET CONTROL OF OUR GOVERNMENT OR WE WILL BE FINISHED. CANADA IS BECOMING A HAVE-HAVE NOT COUNTRY. THE NATIVES HAVE RIGHTS AND THE TAXPAYERS DO NOT. WHERE THE HELL IS JOHN WAYNE WHEN WE NEED HIM..

Posted by: Parrothead on December 10 2007 8:14 PM

Enjoyable Festivus, All!

Posted by: YamaDooPolCat on December 10 2007 9:46 PM

Jim13135 "...take a look at what is going on in South America and see if that's the legacy you want to leave for your descendants..."

Heehee!

Or take a good look what happened to the dodo birds or the dinosaurs, or small pox or really good apple pie. Heehee! I love it when people get goofy and post stuff that is totally off the wall! Heehee!

Posted by: hyperbole on December 11 2007 12:26 AM

Hmmmm - interesting banter around this topic. Seems to raise some hackles and some fears.

Truth is our Courts have agreed that there are aboriginal rights and that there is a responsibility to consult AND that rights may not arbitrarily be extinguished or extirpated.

So live with it buds, find a way to see the world in a slightly different light and work to find solutions. We are all here to stay.

How many of you would like to see women lose the right to vote. If you said yes, then step out of the chamber right now. There's a nice dark cave waiting for you. If you said no, can you remember the redress needed to undo the years of repression? Well, we still need some issues on that front addressed. So smarten up and smell the roses. We have all got a lot of work to do - together.

Happy holidays to everyone and a peaceful Christmas to those that celebrate Christ's birth.