The Government of British Columbia has signed an agreement with the Tahltan Central Government, to ensure the First Nation receives a share of mineral tax revenue collected from the Brucejack Gold Mine in northwestern B.C.

Provincial mineral taxes generated by the gold mine are expected to be approximately $48 million each year. The new revenue-sharing agreement is expected to transfer approximately $7 million in taxes from the Brucejack Gold Mine annually to the Tahltan Central Government.

The Brucejack mine, owned and operated by Pretium Resources Inc., is an underground gold mine. The mine was commissioned in April 2017, and will ramp-up production to 2,700 tonnes per day, once operating at full capacity. The mine is expected to create more than 300 jobs during its minimum 22-year lifespan.

In 2017, the Tahltan Central Government and Pretium entered into a co-operation and benefits agreement for the project. The agreement set out goals for collaboration during the permitting process, and provided financial and other benefits to the Tahltan as project milestones were reached. Pretium representatives have said that involving First Nations early in the process gave them the confidence to proceed with the project.

Under the co-operation and benefits agreement, Pretium committed to provide education and training for Tahltan citizens. They also established employment targets and ensured that Tahltan businesses will have access to contracting opportunities.

The annual payments the Tahltan Central will receive under the revenue-sharing agreement with B.C. are in addition to the benefits received under its agreement with Pretium.

Quotes:

Scott Fraser, Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation –

"Revenue-sharing agreements, like the one we have signed today with Tahltan Central Government, support a strong economy and share our collective wealth in ways that respect the rights of First Nations. Sharing the wealth from extraction of natural resources within First Nations territories is an important part of reconciliation with Indigenous peoples, and an important part of supporting self-determining, healthy First Nations communities.”

Michelle Mungall, Minister of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources –

"As our government works for reconciliation with First Nations, economic development is key. These types of agreements set us on the right path to prosperity for all British Columbians."

Chad Day, President, Tahltan Central Government –

"The Tahltan Central Government welcomes this agreement with the Province of British Columbia as we work to deepen our relationship, and ensure the uses of the land are consistent with the values of the Tahltan people."

Chief Rick Mclean, Tahltan Band Council ­–

“This agreement is another step forward in our relationship with the Province, as we work to build community and ensure that our Tahltan people benefit from economic development."

Chief Marie Quock, Iskut Band Council –

“The Tahltan people have been consistent in saying that they welcome economic development where social, cultural and environmental values are protected and enhanced. This agreement will allow us to further invest in our people’s well-being."

Michelle Romero, executive vice-president, Pretium Resources Inc. –

"Mining companies and communities can benefit mutually from a project when their relationships are founded on good communication and understanding. Solid working relationships ensure that mining projects like Brucejack can be developed and operated sustainably and bring economic opportunity."

Quick Facts:

• More than $42 million in mineral tax revenue from mining has been shared with First Nations since payments began in 2013, under the Economic and Community Development Agreement program. To date, B.C. has signed 34 agreements to share mineral tax revenue with 45 First Nations, including this agreement with Tahltan, and another signed in April 2018 with the Nisga’a Lisims Government for the Brucejack Mine.
• Tahltan Central Government is located in northern B.C., and represents the Tahltan Nation on matters of Tahltan rights and title, including the Iskut Band and Tahltan Band.
• The Brucejack Gold Mine is located 65 kilometres north of Stewart on a parcel of land more than 122,000 hectares.

Learn More:

Tahltan Central Government: www.tahltan.org

Tahltan revenue-sharing agreement: http://ow.ly/FBOj30kvoBu

Economic and community development agreements: http://ow.ly/jEiq30jQpun