Aboriginal Title Rights VS. Gold-Copper Project

New Prosperity is an undeveloped project of Taseko Mines Ltd, which will provide a massive production of copper and gold. However, it has been continuously challenged by the Tsilhqot’in people, claiming “hunting, fishing, and trapping rights in the area” and now “folded the mine site into the tribal park boundary.”¹ In my perspective, this opposition affected Taseko negatively not only by political factors, but also by social factors regarding to PEST analysis.

Due to the first nation’s consistent appeals, the government paid much attention on this long-running battle. Since 2010, the project had already been “rejected twice by the federal government” concerning of damage to “fish and fish habitat.”² This regulation caused the company could not put its plans into effect and start the operation of the project. If the project is still prohibited in the future, Taseko will probably consider abandoning this project no matter how much effort it had put in before.

The social influence from Tsilhqot’in community members and supporters cannot be neglected as well. On December 13, 2014, a gathering protested “New Prosperity Mine outside of Taseko Mines Ltd.’s Vancouver office.”³ The crowd included not only the aboriginal people, but also their supporters who were persuaded by the Tsilhqot’in. With the number of opponents increases, the project will less likely be approved by the federal government and the company will have a notorious reputation. As a consequence, I would suggest that the business environment of Taseko Mines Ltd will be worse in its future development.

 

Endnotes: 

1. Larry, Pynn. “Tsilhqot’in Set to Declare Site of New Prosperity Mine a Tribal Park.”www.vancouversun.com. Larry Pynn, 11 Sept. 2014. Web. 7 Oct. 2014. <http://www.vancouversun.com/news/metro/Unilateral park declared Tsilhqot includes Prosperity mine/10192766/story.html>.

2. Refer to endnote 1.

3. Monica, Lamb. “Tsilhqot’in and Supporters Protest New Prosperity Mine – Williams Lake Tribune.” Williams Lake Tribune. Monica Lamb, 18 Dec. 2013. Web. 7 Oct. 2014. <http://www.wltribune.com/news/236412091.html>.

Picture reference:  

Retrieved from <http://www.radicalpress.com/?p=3258>.

Article Reference:

Larry, Pynn. “Tsilhqot’in Set to Declare Site of New Prosperity Mine a Tribal Park.”www.vancouversun.com. Larry Pynn, 11 Sept. 2014. Web. 7 Oct. 2014. <http://www.vancouversun.com/news/metro/Unilateral park declared Tsilhqot includes Prosperity mine/10192766/story.html>.

Monica, Lamb. “Tsilhqot’in and Supporters Protest New Prosperity Mine – Williams Lake Tribune.” Williams Lake Tribune. Monica Lamb, 18 Dec. 2013. Web. 7 Oct. 2014. <http://www.wltribune.com/news/236412091.html>.

“Understanding Pest Analysis with Definitions and Examples.” PESTLE Analysis. 31 Dec. 2013. Web. 7 Oct. 2014. <http://pestleanalysis.com/pest-analysis/>.

Read more:

Taseko Mines Ltd.’s official website: <http://www.tasekomines.com>.