A mining company embroiled in a controversial impasse with one Cariboo aboriginal group has reached an agreement with another.
Leaders from Taseko Mines Ltd. and the Williams Lake Indian Band signed a "participation and co-operation agreement" related to the long existing Gibraltar Mine in the Williams Lake / Quesnel area. Taseko is the principal owner of the mine.
"The agreement involves environmental management, training, employment and contracting along with other economic benefits involving the mine and aims to enhance understanding, communication and cooperation," said Russell Hallbauer, Taseko's president and CEO. "The agreement includes the establishment of an implementation committee, community engagement, education and training initiatives and economic development initiatives."
It formalizes many practices that have been going on for years at Gibraltar without a signed intent. Aboriginal inclusion has been an employment focus there, regardless of the applicant's particular First Nation, company officials have said in past statements.
The band, based alongside the Williams Lake township, wanted to get some points in writing. On Wednesday the two sides met at the Sugarcane Reserve to make it official.
"In the area that affects the (band), the majority of our community are young people and they must have jobs with good paying employment so they can support their families," said chief Ann Louie. "Currently the (band) has some community members employed at the mine site and we have hopes that this partnership will grow in a positive manner. We are pleased to achieve this agreement that will benefit both partners and look forward to a positive relationship and partnership with Gibraltar."
Taseko's hopes have not yet been realized of partnering with the six bands comprising the Tsihqot'in National Government. The group collectively oppose Taseko's wishes to mine their New Prosperity gold and copper exploration site - a site located in an environmentally sensitive area and within their traditional territory.
The TNG and WLIB are themselves embroiled in a dispute over the true boundaries of each other's traditional territories in the Cariboo region.
