The Highland Valley Copper mine site as seen from the air.
Image Credit: SOURCE/Infomine.com
April 18, 2013 - 11:58 AM
A new revenue sharing agreement will see 14 member bands of the Nlaka'pamux Nation share revenues from Highland Valley Copper mine with the province.
The agreement falls under the Economic and Community Development Agreements and will allow the bands and their members to pursue socio-economic goals to enhance community.
The Nlaka'pamux communities of Ashcroft Indian Band, Boston Bar First Nation, Coldwater Indian Band, Cook's Ferry Indian Band, Nicomen Indian Band, Nooaitch Indian Band, Shackan Indian Band, Siska Indian Band, Kanaka Bar Indian Band and the five communities of the Nlaka'pamux Nation Tribal Council will all share a percentage of the mineral tax revenue from the mine.
Chief David Walkem, negotiator for eight of the Nlaka'pamux bands says, "the sharing of revenue from the Highland Valley Copper mine is a positive step toward addressing the cultural, economic and societal needs of our communities and members. The sharing of revenue from the resources in our territory is a realization of Nlaka'pamux Chiefs' vision contained in the Sir Wilfred Laurier Memorial of 1910."
The agreements are the eighth through tenth the B.C. government has reached with First Nations where mining activity falls within their traditional territories and fulfills the B.C. Jobs Plan commitment to reach 10 new non-treaty agreements by 2015.
Any future development or decisions related to Highland Valley Copper will be considered through the agreements.
The mine – located near Logan Lake and operated by Teck - is the largest metal mine in B.C., employing more than 900 full-time workers. The mine is expected to operate until 2026.
Quick Facts:
-The Nlaka'pamux Nation has more than 6,000 members.
-The HVC mine is located west of Logan Lake, about 75 kilometres southwest of Kamloops.
-The HVC mine contributes millions of dollars to B.C. annually in direct and indirect revenue.
-The mine primarily produces copper and molybdenum.
-Mining activity has occurred in Highland Valley since 1962.
To contact a reporter for this story, email jstahn@infotelnews.ca or call (250) 819-3723.
News from © iNFOnews, 2013