British Columbia First Nation vows to take Taseko (T.TKO) project to court – Stockhouse

WILLIAMS LAKE, B.C. _ The First Nations fighting a proposed gold and copper mine in the British Columbia Interior say it’s a disgrace that the provincial mines minister is pressuring Ottawa to approve the mine, against the advice of an environmental review panel.

And the Tsilhqot’in (tsill-COAT-teen) National Government says if the federal government does so, it could be on the hook for millions in compensation because it will take the project to court.

“We hope the ministers have our constitutional rights in mind, because this project clearly violates our aboriginal rights, as well as our human rights as indigenous peoples. If the federal government approves this mine, it could be on the hook for millions to the company in compensation when the courts strike down those approvals,” Chief Roger William of the Xeni Gwet’in First Nations said.

Mining Minister Bill Bennett joined several business leaders earlier this week in urging the federal government to approve the Taseko Mines Ltd. (TSX: T.TKO, Stock Forum)proposed New Prosperity mine _ the tenth largest undeveloped gold-copper deposit in the world.

Read more at http://www.stockhouse.com/news/natural-resources/2013/12/12/british-columbia-first-nations-issue-taseko-(t-tko#2vtbgpqtcOMrZDTW.99