Office of the Premier
A new agreement with the Government of British Columbia will ensure the Nisga’a Nation will receive a share of mineral tax revenue collected from the Brucejack Gold Mine in northwestern B.C.
“Part of our commitment to a new government-to-government relationship with First Nations based on recognition of rights includes sharing the wealth from natural resource projects in the province,” said Scott Fraser, Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation. “Together, we can improve the lives of people living in First Nations communities, and create a strong economy for generations to come, by sitting down with First Nations as true partners in economic development within their territories.”
The B.C. government entered this revenue-sharing agreement to create access to a source of revenue for the Nisga’a Nation.
“Bringing prosperity and self-reliance to the Nisga’a Nation is the first priority of Nisga’a Lisims Government,” said Eva Clayton, President of Nisga’a Lisims Government. “We have developed a strong working relationship with Pretium Resources Inc., and look forward to our continued collaboration on the Brucejack Gold Mine. On this historic day, the 18th anniversary of the effective date of the Nisga’a Final Agreement, we are pleased to once again affirm the Nisga’a Nation’s government-to-government relationship with British Columbia.”
The economic and community development agreement has the potential to generate more than $8 million annually for the Nisga’a Nation.
“We have reached a partnership with the Nisga’a Nation that creates real economic benefits from the Brucejack Gold Mine,” said Michelle Mungall, Minister of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources. “Our government is committed to working with First Nations and industry to build and strengthen the opportunities these agreements create.”
The Brucejack mine, owned and operated by Pretium Resources Inc., is an underground mine. The Nisga’a Nation and Pretium entered into a co-operation and benefits agreement for the project in 2015. That agreement provides for collaboration during the permitting process and provides financial and other benefits to the Nisga’a Nation as project milestones are reached.
Under the co-operation and benefits agreement, Pretium committed to provide education and training for Nisga’a citizens, setting employment targets and ensuring Nisga’a businesses have access to contracting opportunities.
The annual payments the Nisga’a Nation will receive under the ECDA with B.C. are in addition to the benefits received under its agreement with Pretium.
The mine was commissioned in April 2017, and will gradually ramp-up production to 2,700 tonnes per day. It will create more than 300 jobs during the minimum 22-year life of the mine. Company representatives have said that involving First Nations early in the process gave them the confidence to proceed with the project.
“Agreements that provide for meaningful engagement and commitment for the long-term put all parties on solid ground,” said Michelle Romero, Pretium Resources Inc. executive vice-president. “This brings certainty, which is beneficial both for business and communities.”
Quick Facts:
- The Brucejack Gold Mine is an underground mine that has been operational since April 2017, and is owned and operated by Pretium Resources Inc. It is located 65 kilometres north of Stewart on a parcel of land more than 122,000 hectares.
- Nisga'a Nation, in northwestern B.C., is represented by the Nisga'a Lisims Government and is comprised of four villages: Gitlaxt’aamix, Gingolx, Gitwinksihlkw and Laxgalts’ap. Together they have a population of more than 6,000.
Learn More:
Nisga’a Lisims Government: www.nisgaanation.ca
Economic and Community Development Agreements: http://ow.ly/jEiq30jQpun
