Image Credit: Contributed by Teck Highland Valley Copper

Another First Nation government is challenging the proposed expansion of one of Canada's largest copper mines near Kamloops.

The Nlaka'pamux Nation Tribal Council has intervened in the province's environmental assessment process, further delaying efforts to fast-track a project that would extend Highland Valley Copper's lifespan to 2040.

The tribal council, which represents a third of the Nlaka'pamux First Nations, said it didn't consent to the environmental plans as proposed for Teck's massive pit mine in a letter dated March 14.

It cited wildlife, forestry and water concerns and invoked a new dispute resolution process through the province. On April 11, the province appointed a facilitator and gave him 90 days to come back with recommendations.

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The tribal council said it only had four days to review the mine's proposed environmental plans in November, a timeline deemed "problematic for the internal governance processes required for Indigenous governments to determine whether to provide their free, prior and informed consent to a project of this magnitude."

"Despite further meetings between (the tribal council) and the environmental assessment office since November, there are both areas of non-consensus and consensus recommendations that remain outstanding," a March 14 letter from Oregon Jack Creek Chief Matt Pasco reads.

It comes following a similar but separate First Nation dispute. Another facilitator was given an April 15 deadline, which was met and the province's environmental assessment office is reviewing the report.

In addition to environmental concerns, Stk'emlupsemc Te Secwepemc Nation (SSN) also claimed historic land title rights to the Highland Valley region.

The province has only recognized Nlaka'pamux peoples as having valid claims to the region, and many have protested Secwepemc rights to the plateau near the mine and Logan Lake. One group called SSN claims to the region "erroneous" and demanded inclusion should any First Nation invoke dispute resolution.

Tk'emlups and Skeetchestn, jointly represented through Stk'emlupsemc Te Secwepemc Nation, appear to have used the dispute resolution to force the land title issue.

Ten First Nations have given consent to the mine life extension, according to an environment ministry spokesperson.

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The Highland Valley extension was one of 18 projects the province moved to fast-track amid U.S. tariff threats earlier this year.

Three ministries worked together to "streamline" permitting provincial government reviews have been completed. So long as the environmental assessments end with ministerial approval, the Highland Valley project "could start right away," according to an environment ministry statement.

"This collaboration provides a more comprehensive, timely regulatory process, while also ensuring all regulators apply proper due diligence to protect the health and wellbeing of the environment and communities," the statement reads.

Tk'emlups Kukpi7 (chief) Rosanne Casimir has refused to comment on the dispute resolution and the results of the facilitator's report are not yet known.

The report following the Nlaka'pamux dispute isn't due until July.

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