A lawsuit filed in May 2010 by Stellat’en First Nation against the provincial government for lack of consultation on the Endako Mine expansion has been dismissed.
The Supreme Court of British Columbia dismissed the Stellat’en First Nation claim the British Columbia Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources did not adequately consult with the First Nation regarding the Endako Mine expansion project.
Thompson Creek owns 75 per cent of the Endako Mine, and was named in the lawsuit as one of the parties involved.
The Supreme Court ruled the government did fulfill its duty to consult the Stellat’en First Nation.
Thompson Creek Inc. reaffirmed its commitment to properly consult First Nations regarding the Endako expansion project.
“We are extremely pleased with the court’s decision and remain fully committed to appropriate consultation and building positive relationships with First Nations regarding the expansion project and all of our Canadian operations and projects,” said Kevin Loughrey, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.
Nak’azdli was in negotiations with Thompson Creek regarding the Mt. Milligan Mine, which is being built within Nak’azdli traditional territory.
Nak’azdli Band Councillor Rosemarie Sam expressed some disappointment with the progress of talks with Thompson Creek.
“Nothing’s really going on,” said Sam. “The company pretty much said ‘take it or leave it’ and that’s not really meaningful negotiations.”
Three days after the announcement the Stellat’en lawsuit was dropped, Thompson Creek also announced its second quarter revenue was up 28.6 per cent to over $190 million from the second quarter of 2010, in which earnings were $148 million.
Thompson Creek, in addition to developing the Mt. Milligan Mine north of Fort St. James, also owns a molybdenum mine in Idaho, a metallurgical facility in Pennsylvania, and 75 per cent of the Endako Mine, near Fraser Lake.
