Recently, there has been a debacle between the Tsilhqot’in, a first nation tribe, and the mining company, Taseko Mines. Taseko Mines have launched an 1.1 billion New Prosperity project in the Cariboo Regional District in British Columbia. According to Huffington Post, the site is said to be 125 km southwest of Williams Lake (B.C. Gold). In addition, this area is considered as traditional territories to a multitude of First Nation tribes, including the Tsilhqot’in. Although the mining area is outside of the First Nation boundaries set and recognized by the courts, the Tsilhoqot’in are attempting to change the area into a tribal park boundary (Pynn). With that being said, Taseko Mines are still trying to move forward with this project despite being already rejected by the courts.
In this situation, the political and environmental side of the PESTLE analysis would have to be taken into consideration. First and foremost, the First Nation community is heavily bounded to their cultural beliefs, which in retrospect, is vastly connected to the ecological environment. In the environment section of the PESTLE analysis, it is important to point out that moving forward with this project would not only damage the natural water flow (input and output) of Fish Lake and but will also affect the natural habitat in that area. In addition, to mine and separate the minerals, the company would have to invest in some sort of factory, which would lead to the destruction of areas of the land and may also lead to pollution. In the political side of the PESTLE analysis, the company would is up against the government, specifically the federal government as the project has already been rejected twice. In addition, in my opinion, it is necessary to respect the needs of the First Nation tribes, as after all, it is their culture and heritage that is being protected.
Works Cited
“B.C. Gold, Copper Mine Rejection Will Be Fought In Court.” The Huffington Post. Ed. The Canadian Press. N.p., 15 Sept. 2014.Web. 06 Oct. 2014. <http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2014/09/15/tasesko-mines-new-prosperity-_n_5822904.html>.
Pynn, Larry. “Tsilhqot’in Set to Declare Site of New Prosperity Mine a Tribal Park.” Www.vancouversun.com. Postmedia Network Inc, 11 Sept. 2014. Web. 06 Oct. 2014. <http://www.vancouversun.com/news/metro/Unilateral%2Bpark%2Bdeclared%2BTsilhqot%2Bincludes%2BProsperity%2Bmine/10192766/story.html>.