Resource World Magazine

F E B R U A R Y / M A R C H 2 0 2 0 www.resourceworld.com 51 KJ: In general, exploration and mining companies are leaders in engaging with local communities and are at the forefront of reconciliation. It has become very much commonplace for an exploration company to go out and talk to the local community, talk to local bands, local nations, local First Nation governments and discuss with them what their exploration plans are, how it might impact the community, how it might involve the community, and listen to the concerns that communities might have, and take those into account. So, for mineral exploration, it's not something that's overly new, it's become more common place in the last decade, perhaps, but it's been going on for a num- ber of years now and it's become not only normal but best practices as well. I think we're very much at the forefront. First Nations, that are more heavily impacted by mineral exploration due to their loca- tion and the mineral wealth within their territories, have seen significant improvements in reconciliation, building partnerships and building understanding between First Nations' communities and mineral explorers. RW: Would you say BC explorers and miners are creating partnerships with First Nations for their mineral projects, whereby First Nations can start businesses on their own to participate? KJ: Yes, I would. I think the majority of partnerships result in job creation for local communities and local First Nations. In some respects, there are many opportuni- ties to start small businesses, whether it be mining data, getting out and doing some early stage exploration or sampling, pros- pecting, core logging – that kind of thing, or by way of starting up First Nation owned and operated service and supply companies, including expediting compa- nies and in some cases drilling companies. It's been really fun to see some of the cre- ation that's happened out of partnership agreements and training. RW: How are BC explorers and miners coping with the new UNDRIP regulations? KJ: BC has taken the leading role and is the first province in Canada to implement UNDRIP into the Provincial laws. In BC, it's called DRIPA – the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act. It's very new; however, I think in the long run it's going to be a positive for our indus- try. Like I said previously, we are already leaders in reconciliation and partnership building with First Nations, so it's not new for mineral exploration. However, there are still many, many details to work out. We've been working with government and First Nations throughout the process and we will certainly continue to do that and make sure that mineral explorers are represented in the implementation of DRIPA going forward as it gets enacted to all of the other laws in British Columbia. RW: Does UNDRIP mean that a 50-person First Nation band can veto a billion-dollar mineral project that would create many jobs – First Nations and oth- erwise – as well as financial benefits and general wealth to British Columbia? KJ: No, our understanding, and it's been stated by many government officials, including the Minister for Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation as well as Premier Horgan, and some of the leading First Nations members who were part of implementing UNDRIP into the BC legis- lation, have stated that UNDRIP does not imply veto. I think, generally speaking, every project is unique and has a different set of circumstances, and different people involved. There has to be a unique nego- tiation that goes on with each project. So, yes, there will be challenges because there are always different points of view but I do think that there are also opportunities and solutions and it means that we as an industry need to sit down and communicate, listen and understand what those concerns are, and do our best to mitigate. There is almost always a way to find a solution that works for everyone. n MINING

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