Skeena Resources says it is working with the Tahltan Nation for gaining environmental assessment for the Eskay Creek Mine revitalization project.
According to the company this is through the consent based decision making agreement.
In an email to Vista Radio, Skeena Resources said it has been working with the Tahltan Nation towards gaining consent and developing a mutually beneficial project.
According to Vice President of Skeena Resources, Justin Himmelright the Tahltan Nation was a significant part in the Eskay Mine’s initial chapter one phase.
He said the company has engaged heavily with the nation since 2015.
“We have a number of agreements in place with them already, we did a great piece of work with them and the provincial government and a number of conservation organizations to convert a package of our mineral tenures in Tahltan Territory into a conservancy,” he said.
Himmelright added that the focus of reconciliation is a core value within the company.
He also said being on the right side of history and doing the right thing in having the Tahltan involved is important.
“We would like to see as this project comes on stream Tahltan involved in management of the operation, so we have a mentorship program that’s in place,” Himmelright said.
The company added that the Eskay Creek Mine is one of the richest gold mines in the world and was originally operating from 1994 to 2008.