The Gitxaala First Nation is appealing a recent BC Supreme Court decision that found, among other things, that the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) has no force in law in BC.
The Gitxaala also want the Court of Appeal to do what the BC Supreme Court refused to do – quash several mineral claims in their traditional territories.
The head of Teck Resources Ltd. says he will only accept a bid for the company’s steelmaking coal business if he feels confident Canadian regulators will approve the transaction. Jonathan Price, CEO of Canada’s largest diversified mining company, made the comments on Tuesday as part of an update on Teck’s ongoing efforts to separate its base metals business from its steelmaking coal unit.
Price said the Vancouver-based company continues to evaluate offers put forward by prospective buyers of its coal business with the hope of making a decision before the end of the year. While he said he is pleased with the level of outside competition the process has generated, Price said regulatory clearance will be a crucial factor.
Province seeks feedback as it aims for official strategy in early 2024
B.C.’s provincial ministry responsible for mining is looking for input on a discussion paper to guide the province as it tries to become a global supplier of critical minerals, while also respecting First Nations’ rights and protecting the environment.
The Ministry of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation wants to take advantage of minerals deemed critical for technologies such as batteries, electric vehicles, wind turbines and solar panels that are hoped to help the world slow the pace of climate change.
Company takes issue with mine minister’s statement on aboriginal ownership of land
A junior exploration company with a proposed mine project near Revelstoke is taking the province to court over permitting delays that the company says may be related to a mischaracterization by the Mines minister on the extent of aboriginal title in B.C.
A judicial review filed by Taranis Resources Inc. (TSX-V:TRO, OTCQB:TNREF) may end up as a legal test of the limits of the “consent” provisions in the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (DRIPA.)
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/
Residents divided over plans for large mine building at edge of their 220-resident community
The tiny community of Wells, B.C., will soon learn if it will be home to a new gold mine — one that’s divided the historic gold-rush district of just 220 residents. After it passed its environmental review last month, the proposed $588-million Cariboo Gold Mine is awaiting a final decision from provincial cabinet ministers, who have until Wednesday to say yes or no.
Particularly divisive has been Osisko Development’s plan to build a 36-metre-high, 200-metre-long mining building at the southern entrance of the community, within municipal limits.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/
Province ordered to replace system with one that ensures consultation with Indigenous communities
The B.C. Supreme Court ruled Tuesday that the province’s mining permit system is unconstitutional. The province’s current system, at issue in the case, automatically grants mineral claims to industry applicants who submit a request through a government website.
Tuesday’s ruling found that process violates First Nations rights. It ordered B.C. to replace the system with one that ensures input and consultation with Indigenous communities on whose territories mining permits are granted.
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On a warm afternoon in early September in London, Bernard Looney, the boss of BP, one of the world’s top oil companies, and a colleague sat down on wooden bench in St. James’s Square park, a patch of green Georgian loveliness near Buckingham Palace. They were enjoying the sunshine.
Moments later, another chief executive, Jonathan Price of Teck Resources Ltd. Canada’s biggest diversified mining company, strolled into the small park, where a Globe and Mail photographer was waiting to take photos of him, and found himself next to Mr. Looney. The two men, who both have offices overlooking the park, greeted each other and shook hands for the first time.
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Canada’s Teck Resources Ltd. is surprised by the global interest in its coal business, suggesting that bidders such as Switzerland’s Glencore PLC will face a highly competitive bidding process whose outcome will not be known quickly.
In an interview in London, Teck chief executive Jonathan Price said the range of possible bidders for the coal division, known as Elk Valley Resources (EVR), includes mining companies, steelmakers and resources funds. EVR is the world’s second-biggest exporter of seaborne metallurgical coal, which is used to make steel.
BlackRock concerned about ‘inconsistencies’ in strategy
BlackRock Inc. has revealed it didn’t support Glencore PLC‘s climate-resolution proposal at the miner’s annual general meeting in May.
In a report published late last month, BlackRock, a major Glencore shareholder, said that although Glencore improved its disclosure of climate-related risks and opportunities, it is “concerned” that aspects of the mining giant’s climate proposals and “recent developments have pointed to inconsistencies in the company’s stated strategy.”
Canada’s largest diversified miner could announce a ‘simpler and more direct’ plan to split company within months
Canada’s largest diversified miner Teck Resources Ltd. may announce a “simpler and more direct” plan to separate its coal assets from its metals’ unit by the end of the third quarter this year, according to an analyst at the Bank of Nova Scotia.
The Vancouver-based miner has been trying to separate its assets since February, when it announced it was going to divide itself into two publicly-listed companies to unlock shareholder value. One of the companies would focus solely on the metals needed for the energy transition, such as copper and zinc, while the other would run its steelmaking coal operations.
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Teck Resources Ltd. intends to completely exit its coal business, but in the event of only a partial sale, would spin off the remainder to ensure a clean break, a source familiar with the situation said. The Vancouver-based mining company has been entertaining a variety of bids for its metallurgical coal business since late April after an earlier restructuring plan failed.
Teck chief executive officer Jonathan Price said in a conference call last month that there has been “a lot of interest” in the coal business since it was put out for tender. Glencore PLC of Switzerland is the only known bidder for 100 per cent of the coal segment, with an offer worth up to US$8.2-billion.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/
Toxic substance found in high levels in B.C.’s Lake Kookanusa, a reservoir that feeds into American rivers
The British Columbia government has changed its tune on a long-requested investigation into contamination from mines flowing into U.S. waters, opening the door to progress on an issue that has drawn the attention of President Joe Biden.
The province has confirmed to The Canadian Press that it would now welcome a role in such an investigation for the International Joint Commission, a body created in 1909 to resolve water-related disputes between the two countries.
Acoalition of Indigenous tribes is increasing pressure on the Canadian government to respond to their concerns over transboundary water pollution coming from Teck Resources coal mines in British Columbia. The Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes in Montana, Kootenai Tribe of Idaho and the transboundary Ktunaxa Nation sent reminders on Aug. 11 that Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had pledged to meet this summer with U.S. President Joe Biden’s administration on reducing and mitigating the impacts of selenium and other mine-related contaminants getting into the Elk and Kootenai rivers.
Selenium in particular has been connected to significant declines in fish reproduction in the river system, along with massive fish kills near the mine site itself, although a disputed Teck study concluded that ice, not selenium was responsible for the 2017 die-off.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/
Industry advocates hoping for big investment in 2024 budget. Critics raise alarms about a free-for-all
Miners in B.C. searching for deposits of minerals deemed critical for low-carbon technologies say they’ve never been more excited for the sector but require extended provincial support to realize their dreams.
Companies say they want to take advantage of the need for critical minerals — 31 materials in demand for batteries, electric vehicles, wind turbines and solar panels — by having B.C. become an important producer of some of the materials but also a role model in the industry for environmental standards and engagement with First Nations.
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A proposed amendment to the Investment Canada Act could complicate Glencore PLC’s takeover ambitions around Canadian miner Teck Resources Ltd. Last fall, federal Industry Minister François-Philippe Champagne announced a series of changes to the Investment Canada Act that aim to toughen oversight over proposed acquisitions of domestic companies by foreigners.
The changes include requiring acquirers to give Ottawa early notification of their intent to buy Canadian companies, extending the time period for national security reviews, and increasing financial penalties for those who don’t comply with the rules.
