world66.com

The business environment of Taseko Mines Ltd. has changed vastly since the Supreme Court of Canada ruled that the Tsilhqot’in people have title to 1,750 square kilometres of land west of Williams Lake, B.C. While Taseko Mines’ Fish Lake property lies outside this title area, the Aboriginal group has incorporated the mine site into a newly-designated tribal park. It is unclear whether the Tsilhqot’in people will halt Taseko Mines’ proposed 1.1 billion dollar New Prosperity copper-gold project at Fish Lake. However, there is no doubt that Taseko Mines will be required to consult with the Tsilhqot’in people and obtain their approval before they proceed with their project.

The Tsilhqot’in people will demand that environmental issues related to the development of the copper-gold project are fully addressed and factored into Taseko Mines’ business plans. Meeting these demands may be costly and difficult to negotiate, to the point where the project could be rendered impractical. The external factor of Tsilhqot’in land title underscores how important it is for businesses operating in the interior of British Columbia to establish strong and co-operative relationships with First Nations groups.

http://www.vancouversun.com/news/metro/Unilateral+park+declared+Tsilhqot+includes+Prosperity+mine/10192766/story.html