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September 23, 2023 - 2:00 PM
The Osoyoos Indian Band has come to an agreement with a private company for a magnesium mine on its lands that allows the Band oversight on the project.
The project, Record Ridge, is expected to pull roughly 10.6 million tonnes of magnesium from a site 10 km south of Rossland. Magnesium and other minerals, like silica and nickel, are needed for Canada’s climate change goals, according to a press release from West High Yield.
The agreement between the mining company and the Band is based on the company’s promise to use proper environmental procedures and respect Indigenous rights.
“This Agreement recognizes Osoyoos Indian Band’s sovereignty over our lands and represents our continued efforts to ensure that our lands are protected and managed in accordance with our wishes, values, and principles. This Agreement assures us of our oversight of the project, thereby protecting our peoples’ environmental and economic interests”, said Osoyoos Indian Band’s Chief Clarence Louie in the release.
Louie says West High Yield is setting a good example for how to conduct business on Indigenous land.
“We encourage other companies to follow West High Yield’s example and take steps to ensure that Indigenous rights are respected and are recognized,” Louie said.
The mining company says it will continue to work with the Band throughout the project.
“West High Yield is committed to leading the way in constructive Indigenous engagement and looks forward to additional discussions with other Indigenous groups as the project moves forward,” said the company’s President and CEO Frank Marasco Jr.
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