A new revenue-sharing agreement will enable the Upper Similkameen Indian Band and Lower Similkameen Indian Band to benefit from the Copper Mountain Mine, located southwest of Princeton.

Through an Economic and Community Development Agreement (ECDA), the two First Nations will receive a share of mineral tax revenues collected by the Province from Copper Mountain. The agreement also contains a comprehensive consultation process that commits to working with the Bands for all potential future mining activity related to the ongoing operation of the Copper Mountain Mine.

The agreement is the fifth ECDA that the B.C. government has reached to help First Nations benefit from mining activity within their traditional territories. These agreements build on the BC Jobs Plan commitment to reach 10 new non-treaty agreements with First Nations by 2015. The Copper Mountain ECDA is the 13th non-treaty agreement the B.C. government has reached since the BC Jobs Plan launch.

The agreement also supports the B.C. Jobs Plan commitment to support existing jobs and create new jobs through the expansion of existing mines and the establishment of new mines.

The agreement will provide the Upper Similkameen and Lower Similkameen Indian Bands the resources to make community-based decisions regarding how they would like to achieve social and economic objectives, which include enhancing the well-being of their communities and citizens.

Quotes:

Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation Minister Ida Chong -

"Through the BC Jobs Plan, our government is committed to helping First Nations benefit from resource activity that happens within their traditional territory. This agreement with the Upper Similkameen and Lower Similkameen Indian Bands will provide benefits to both communities, as well as supporting the Copper Mountain mine, which provides jobs and economic benefits to the entire region."

Upper Similkameen Indian Band Chief Charlotte Mitchell -

"Our Smelqmix and Syilx Chiefs and Councils have been petitioning the Province to share the wealth of the resources in our territories for a long time (on record since the time of Sir Wilfred Laurier 1910). We see this agreement as a small step in the right direction; it will be very beneficial to our Elders and children and our future generations. Many thanks to all of our people that had a part in getting us to this day."

Lower Similkameen Indian Band Chief Robert Edward -

"Revenue sharing is the concept that our Ancestral Leaders agreed to in 1910 through the Sir Wilfred Laurier Memorial where revenues for resources would be shared on a Government to Government basis. The mineral tax represents a partial sharing of resource benefits to Indigenous Peoples in this area for resources where lands have never been given over, ceded or surrendered. As a cost of doing business, proponents will be expected to fulfil their obligation to contribute to Indigenous peoples for the resources being extracted from portions of Traditional Territory in which they operate."

Quick Facts:

• The Copper Mountain mine employs 390 people.

• The mine began production in June 2011.

• The projected life of the mine is 17 years.
  
  
• As committed in the BC Jobs Plan, eight new mines will open and nine will be expanded by 2015.

• In addition to Copper Mountain Mine, two new mines have begun production (New Afton, near Kamloops, and Treasure Mountain, near Hope), and three more are now under construction.

Learn More:

For more information about the Copper Mountain ECDA, please visit: http://www.gov.bc.ca/arr/treaty/key/default.html

Media Contact:

Robin Platts
Communications Manager
Ministry of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation
250 387-1204