British Columbia First Nation files legal action against coal claims citing failure to consult
“For years, environmentalists and First Nations have called on the government to bring B.C.’s gold rush era mining laws into the 21st century,” said Calvin Sandborn, senior counsel with the University of Victoria Environmental Law Centre. “The Gitxaala Nation here is arguing that mining claim laws are unconstitutional and inconsistent with B.C.’s 2019 Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act. If successful, this case could be the beginning of a long-awaited reform.“
The Gitxaala case is not an isolated incident.
“Most mining conflicts in recent years can be traced to the 19th century ‘free entry’ mineral staking system. Under this system, anyone can acquire a mining claim without being required to inform, consult, or obtain the consent of affected surface rights holders, including First Nations, property owners, municipalities, and other land users,” said Nikki Skuce of Northern Confluence, the co-chair of B.C. Mining Law Reform network.
The Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources had not filed a response to the lawsuit by press time.
The Gitxaala nation maintains an environmental monitoring (GEM) that acts as a point of contact for any developer or government agency that proposes any work that may affect the environment on their lands. Gem territorial data and all historical contemporary research about the people, lands and resources is maintained by the Gitxaala community knowledge keeper.
(This article first appeared in the Canadian Mining Journal)
