Taseko Mines Ltd.’s New Prosperity mine project’s progress could be hindered by the declaration of a large part of the Chilcotin area as a tribal park.  Dasiqox Tribal Park’s area does not extend into the zone that the mine would occupy, but nonetheless the First Nations People are declaring it as their land.  As such the mine, which would have environmental impacts, is being opposed by the Tsilhqot’in people.

Although the project has been criticized and shot down due to the environmental pressure that the project will have, Taseko persists that the review was flawed and that their ability to hold the pollution in the tailing ponds should not be discounted.  This declaration will eliminate the chance of this project happening, as well as the numerous jobs that this project would have produced.  The band’s decision to declare more land than has been allotted to them has received criticism, mostly due to the economic boost that the region desperately needs.

Recently, the mining company’s proposal has been denied by the federal government and is seeking compensation.  This turn of events could prove to be deadly for Taseko, in the eyes of their stakeholders this could show weakness and their profits could shrink.

Sources: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/background-the-indian-act-1.1056988

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

http://www.mining.com/taseko-launches-civil-suit-72263/