The provincial government announced a new revenue-sharing agreement today that will allow four northern B.C. First Nations' to benefit from the expansion of the Huckleberry Mine.
The Wet'suwet'en, Cheslatta Carrier, Nee-Tahi-Buhn and Skin Tyee First Nations all signed economic and community development agreements with the province for a share of mineral tax revenues collected from Huckleberry Mine.
Aboriginal relations and reconciliation minister John Rustad said the agreements will bring additional economic stability to the First Nations' communities.
“These agreements will not only bring social and economic benefits to the four First Nations, but the entire Bulkley-Nechako region,” Rustad said in a press release. “They ensure First Nations have the opportunity to participate in the economy, while giving industry the certainty to invest in our province.”
Huckleberry Mine is located about 120 kilometres southwest of Houston. It was originally planned to start the closing process in 2014, but received a permit amendment in 2011 to extend the life of the mine until 2021. The open-pit copper and molybdenum mine has been in operation since 1997 and currently employs staff made up of 17 per cent First Nations individuals.