The Upper Similkameen and Lower Similkameen Indian Bands will be better able to pursue activities that enhance governance, and the social, economic and cultural well-being of their members, thanks to mine-revenue sharing from an Economic and Community Development Agreement (ECDA) for the Copper Mountain Mine, located southwest of Princeton.

Through the ECDA signed in March 2013, the two First Nations are receiving more than $400,000, a share of mineral tax revenues collected by the Province from Copper Mountain. The monies will be split equally between the two First Nations.

Current revenues were based on production from the 2012 mine fiscal year, annual payments will continue for the life of the mine. The mine site has an estimated resource of more than two million metric tonnes of copper.

The agreement also contains a comprehensive consultation process that commits the Province to working with the Bands for all potential future mining activity related to the ongoing operation of the Copper Mountain Mine.

The B.C. government has signed 10 ECDAs since 2010, to help First Nations benefit from mining activity within their traditional territories. These agreements build on the BC Jobs Plan commitment to reach new non-treaty agreements with First Nations.

The agreement provides the Upper Similkameen and Lower Similkameen Indian Bands with the resources to support community-based decisions regarding how they would like to achieve social and economic objectives that will enhance the well-being of their communities and citizens.

Quotes:

Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation Minister John Rustad -

"This agreement with the Upper Similkameen and Lower Similkameen Indian Bands is providing benefits to both communities, while helping create jobs and economic prosperity for the entire region. It's important that First Nations have the opportunity to benefit from development on their traditional territory."

Energy and Mines Minister Bill Bennett -

"Copper Mountain is one of the first major metal mines to open in B.C. since 1998, and it is great to see the Upper Similkameen and Lower Similkameen Indian Bands receiving the resources they need to help make their communities stronger. This agreement shows what can be accomplished through the cooperation and collaboration with First Nations in responsible mining development."

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. All My Relations - Chief Charlotte Mitchell."

Lower Similkameen Indian Band Chief Robert Edward -

"The Lower Similkameen Indian Band has worked in a spirit of collaboration to move forward with revenue sharing consistent with the wishes of the Ancestors in the signing of the Sir Wilfred Laurier Memorial. This has proved to be a promising beginning, and as we move forward we expect that revenue sharing will be carried out for many more of the tax benefits the Province receives. The council and community look positively forward to signing their Participation Agreement with Copper Mountain Mine."

Quick Facts:

• The Copper Mountain Mine employs more than 300 people.
• 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.
• Since the BC Jobs Plan was released in 2011, two new mines have begun production; five more are permitted or under construction and the Province has approved six major expansions of existing mines.

Learn More:

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

Media Contact:

Nina Chiarelli
Communications Director
Ministry of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation
250 953-3211