Resource World Magazine

62 www.resourceworld.com A P R I L / M A Y 2 0 1 7 Drilling at Imperial Metals' Red Chris project first contract for new Tahltech partnership by Kylie Williams IN NOVEMBER 2016, Geotech Drilling Services Ltd. and the Tahltan Nation Development Corporation (TNDC) announced a strategic partnership to pro- vide drilling services for exploration, mining and energy companies operating in northwestern British Columbia's bur- geoning Golden Triangle region, located in Tahltan traditional territory. Two months later, the newly formed Tahltech Drilling Services Ltd. (Tahltech) has already bro- ken ground on its first contract, providing hydrogeological and geological drilling ser- vices for Imperial Metals Corp. [III-TSX] on its Red Chris copper-gold mine property. TNDC, the business arm of the Tahltan First Nation, was established in 1985 to ensure the Nation benefitted from resource development in Tahltan traditional terri- tory. Since its formation over three decades ago, the TNDC has formed alliances with 30 companies and worked on hundreds of construction, energy, mining and forestry projects. "The Tahltech partnership significantly strengthens TNDC's capability and com- petitiveness in resource and industrial development," says the TNDC's new CEO, Peter Arendt, P.Eng. "It will benefit our members through subcontracting, employ- ment and training opportunities, fostering long-term employment." The Tahltech drilling program under- way at Red Chris is providing geologists with cores of the overburden soils and facilitating the installation of wells, to allow long term environmental monitoring of groundwater around the mine site and its facilities. WIN-WIN SITUATION Although the partnership between Geotech and TNDC was only formalized in late 2016, the two organizations had already developed a solid relationship based on mutual respect over many years. "Tahltan Central Government members and the Geotech team would often run into each other at conferences and events," explains Tim Mohring, VP for Sustainability at Geotech, describing the respect Geotech has for the sustainable, responsible business and economic development opportunities the TNDC has provided for Tahltan mem- bers. In return, says Mohring, TNDC recognized Geotech's commitment to safety and protecting the environment. Through the Tahltech partnership, Geotech Drilling is recognized as the preferred drilling company operating in Tahltan territory. It will draw on a pool of workers from both organizations to offer specialized drilling services for resource and infrastructure development projects. Geotech will provide a combination of on-the-job and in-class training for new Tahltan drillers and drill helpers. Having contributed to several training courses in northern BC in recent years, Geotech has experience equipping young workers with the skills needed to find jobs in the resource sector. "We're looking for reliable and long-term employment and training opportunities for not only those Tahltans currently in the workforce, but those who will soon be entering the workforce," says Arendt. The short-turnaround time and the specific type of drilling required for the initial Red Chris program, explains Arendt, didn't allow time for hiring and training of Tahltan members on this job. For now, the TNDC are provid- ing heavy equipment and logistical support to the program. ABORIGINAL PARTICIPATION IN THE MINING SUPPLY CHAIN Both Tahltech partners are trailblaz- ers when it comes to integrating aboriginal businesses into the supply chains for mining projects. Geotech has signed agreements with six First Nations in British Columbia and Nunavut since 2013, recognizing the many benefits of pairing with First Nations. The relationship between the TNDC and Imperial Metals was recently profiled as an aboriginal procurement success story in a report published by the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business and the Mining Shared Value venture of Engineers without Borders. The TNDC has overcome many of the barriers specific to aborigi- nal businesses identified in the report. The positive working relationship estab- lished between the Tahltan and Imperial Metals includes a signed Impact, Benefit and Co-Management Agreement to cre- ate the Red Chris Monitoring Committee who oversee tailings storage at the mine, and help Imperial Metals establish a social licence to operate in the region. The creation of Tahltech Drilling Services will provide the Tahltan people with jobs, training and new opportuni- ties, ensure economic benefit for the entire community, and position the Nation to play a key role in the sustainable develop- ment of resources within their territory. "This partnership is about the long- term," says Arendt, "With the resource sector now in recovery mode, which is bringing increased exploration activity and ideally advancing some projects into development, we're anticipating more con- tracts benefitting TNDC, Geotech and the Tahltan Nation." n Tahltech is currently providing hydrogeological and geological drilling services, using sonic drilling methods, on the Imperial Metals Red Chris property, within the Tahltan territory in northern British Columbia. Photo courtesy Geotech Drilling Services. MININGWORLD

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