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Ministry of Mining and Critical Minerals

Media Relations
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Backgrounders

What people are saying about the tripartite agreement

Grand Chief Stewart Phillip, president, Union of BC Indian Chiefs –

“Today’s announcement is the culmination of 30 years of land defense and advocacy by the Tsilhqot’in. I’m not only excited, I’m proud. Congratulations to the Tsilhqot’in who have successfully negotiated two landmark consent-based agreements that uphold their right to exercise self-determination over their territories. This represents a turning point in negotiating agreements and advancing projects with consent, and I hope we see more agreements like this as opposed to regressive approaches. There are no shortcuts, and the Tsilhqot’in have proven that.”

Regional Chief Terry Teegee, BC Assembly of First Nations –

“This historic agreement represents a significant victory for First Nations rights and self-determination across British Columbia and Canada. The Tŝilhqot’in Nation’s unwavering dedication over many decades to protect Teẑtan Biny demonstrates the power of First Nations resistance and the importance of upholding free, prior and informed consent. As the only First Nation in Canada with a court declaration of Aboriginal title, the Tŝilhqot’in continue to lead the way in asserting First Nations inherent rights, title, interests and jurisdiction over territories. This agreement sets a powerful precedent that shows reconciliation is possible when First Nations consent is respected and First Nation laws, governance and management systems are empowered. The BCAFN stands in solidarity with the Tŝilhqot’in Nation and celebrates this achievement that will benefit not just their people, but Indigenous Nations across our province and beyond.”

Michael Goehring, president and CEO, Mining Association of BC –

“This agreement is an important milestone in reconciliation and resolves a long-standing conflict over the New Prosperity project. Importantly, the agreement allows for the future development of this valuable critical mineral resource with the consent of the Tŝilhqot’in Nation, providing significant potential economic benefits for the Nation and all British Columbians.”

History and context of tripartite agreement
  • The New Prosperity mineral tenures are registered to Taseko Mines Limited (Taseko) and are located within the traditional territory of the Tŝilhqot’in Nation, southwest of Williams Lake, B.C.
  • Taseko first identified the potential for development of a copper-gold mine known as the Prosperity Mine Project (Prosperity Mine) and initiated federal and provincial environmental assessment processes for the project in 2008. The Tŝilhqot’in opposed development of Prosperity Mine, along with proposed mineral exploration and development activities in the area.
  • In 2010, the Province granted Taseko an Environmental Assessment Certificate for development of the Prosperity Mine. Subsequently, in 2010, the Government of Canada denied Prosperity its federal authorization and invited Taseko to submit a revised application to address specific issues related to its decision. In 2011, Taseko revised the project design and renamed the project New Prosperity. That same year, Taseko re-initiated federal and provincial environmental assessment processes with the updated project design. The Tŝilhqot’in Nation remained opposed to the New Prosperity Project.
  • In 2012, the B.C. Court of Appeal confirmed the Tŝilhqot’in have constitutionally protected Aboriginal rights in the region and partially over the area of the New Prosperity mineral tenures.
  • In February 2014, the Government of Canada again denied New Prosperity federal authorization to proceed and again invited Taseko to submit a revised proposal. Legal actions resulted, involving the Tŝilhqot’in Nation, Taseko, the Province and the Government of Canada.
  • In June 2014, the Supreme Court of Canada declared Aboriginal title for the first time in Canadian history, over an area that includes lands adjacent to the New Prosperity mineral tenures.
  • In 2017, the B.C. government authorized Taseko to undertake a site investigation program on the New Prosperity mineral tenures. The Tŝilhqot’in Nation opposed the site investigation program.
  • The Tŝilhqot’in initiated a lawsuit and obtained an injunction in 2019 to halt Taseko’s proposed site investigation program to allow a full hearing of the Tŝilhqot’in Nation’s case.
  • The 2025 agreement between Tŝilhqot’in, Taseko and the Province has established a consent-based model for any mine development in the New Prosperity tenure area, and the parties can now explore long-term solutions outside of litigation.
  • The agreement leaves open the potential for future development of the New Prosperity mineral deposit with the consent of the Tŝilhqot’in Nation.
  • The agreement is subject to customary conditions and closing of the transaction is expected to occur in June 2025.

Land-use planning

  • To guide the land-use planning process, the Province and Tŝilhqot’in have developed a Pathways and Principles document outlining future direction that will be publicly released upon closing of the agreement. 
  • The parties are committed to an open and transparent planning process for Dasiqox Nexwagwezʔan expected to commence in 2027, that is relationship-based, with affected parties at its core.
  • The planning process for Dasiqox Nexwagwezʔan will invite broad participation of affected third-party interest holders, neighbouring First Nations, local government, industry and the public to build on shared values and solutions. The Province anticipates that preliminary engagement will advance over the next 18 months.
  • The Pathways and Principles Document encompasses the Dasiqox Nexwagwezʔan and Teẑtan Area and covers approximately 321,345 hectares.