The idea of there being “power in numbers” was highlighted last week when steps were taken for the Stz’uminus First Nation to partner on a mining development on traditional Stz’uminus territory.
During the second annual Power in Numbers Gathering hosted by the Coast Salish Development Corporation (CSDC) April 25 at the Stz’uminus Elder’s Centre, the corporation and RCR Mining signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to mark the beginning of future plans to partner on a new mining development.
This MOU provides the opportunity to partner on a mining venture that could take place on traditional Stz’uminus First Nation territory, explained Roxanne Harris, a councillor with the Stz’uminus First Nation, who emceed the Power in Numbers event.
“We’re hoping to develop this mine over the next five to six years,” RCR Mining operations manager Don Hubbard said before signing the MOU with Stz’uminus Chief John Elliott. “We are very pleased to be partnering with the Stz’uminus First Nation at the onset so that they can be part of the economic development and the benefits that we see coming from this operation.”
Elliott described the signing as “an opportunity to build a partnership early in discussions.”
The CSDC and RCR Mining are aiming to partner on a 2,400-hectare property located on what is known as the Sognidoro property near the outside of the Chemainus River Valley, according to the CSDC.
The Sognidoro property is a large massive sulphide outcropping running in the same geological event as the Mt. Sicker properties some 30 kilometers to the south, according to RCR Mining’s website.
“Initial soil sampling results indicate high yields of zinc, copper, lead, silver and gold,” states RCR Mining. “Further drilling is required to verify the deposit.”
The project is in the pre-exploration phase, but initial survey results and other data reveal there could be approximately 10,000,000 tonnes of copper, zinc and other ore deposits in the area, according to the CSDC’s website.
During the gathering, Ladysmith Mayor Rob Hutchins congratulated the CSDC and RCR Mining for signing the MOU and noted how far-reaching the benefits could be.
“That MOU that we witnessed signed here today is potentially going to bring tremendous wealth to this community, tapping into the silver and gold of the old mine at Mt. Sicker,” he said. “We will see this pay dividends, not only in the near future but for decades to come.”
The annual Power in Numbers Gathering explores and encourages opportunities for partnership and revenue sharing with industry and First Nations. CSDC, the economic development agency of the Stz’uminus First Nation, believes in success through partnerships, and encouraging First Nation communities and industry to engage in meaningful relations is what this annual event is all about.
“We’re trying to get the right people in the same room to encourage a broad range of opportunities and open the door for industry-First Nations partnerships” CSDC CEO Ray Gauthier stated in a press release.
Featured speakers at this year’s event were Chief Robert Louie of Westbank First Nation, BC Regional Chief Jody Wilson-Raybould, and Richard Hardy of Pentlatch Seafoods with K’ómoks First Nation. Each speaker shared their experiences of economic development as a factor for success in their respective communities.
In welcoming everyone to the gathering, Harris praised Elliott for his leadership over the past two terms.
“He’s a strong supporter and believer in economic development and moving forward,” she said.
Elliott was excited to see the growth in the Power in Numbers Gathering this year.
“For the CSDC, the Power in Numbers, this is the second year, and this is just huge,” he said. “You can see the numbers growing. I think it’s just important to see that people within our Island, within our community and within our territories share the interest in creating economic development. It’s exciting to see.”
Elliott thanked his council for pushing forward on economic development together.
“They said I’ve done a lot of work here in this community; I don’t do it alone,” he said. “It’s a lot of hard work from council, leadership. We have a great table; we have community behind us and we have a leadership that has the same motivation as I do that’s looking at creating economic development and opportunity for our people for the future. If you don’t have a strong table all pushing in the same direction and making the same decisions, it makes it hard, but we are. We’re moving fast, and it’s exciting. I want to thank all the partners that have come out.”
Laughing, he added: “We’re going to drag you along and hope you guys can keep up.”
