Gitanyow Hereditary Chiefs are launching an assessment of the Red Chris mine block cave amendment under the Gitanyow Wilp Sustainability Assessment Process, further advancing Indigenous-led assessments under Gitanyow laws. Studies will be conducted over the summer and an assessment report released in the fall.
The Gitanyow WSAP will run parallel to this other assessment work and will focus on reviewing project components affecting Gitanyow territory and people.
The project assessment will include:
- Proposed industrial traffic that would occur or affect Gitanyow Lax’yip (territory)
- Socio-cultural impacts and benefits
- Greenhouse gas emissions including industrial vehicle traffic
- Hydro-electric power development and potential partnerships with Gitanyow green energy projects.
A wholly owned subsidiary of Newmont Corporation, Newcrest Red Chris Mining Limited operates the Red Chris mine and is proposing a transition from the current open-pit mining method to an underground technique called block caving. Recognizing the application of Indigenous law, the company is respecting the GWSAP process – which has previously been followed for other projects, including the Eskay Creek Revitalization Project
Located in Tahltan Territory in northwest BC, the Red Chris mine is about 80 kilometres south of Dease Lake and within the Stikine watershed. The Gitanyow recognize Tahltan Central Government’s authority regarding the mine site and the project assessment scope will not include development at the mine site itself.
Quotes:
“The Gitanyow Hereditary Chiefs look forward to completing the WSAP assessment for the block cave amendment and receiving the results. The process ensures that any company proposing a project that affects Gitanyow territory respectfully abides by assessment outcomes.” — Naxginkw/Tara Marsden, Wilp Sustainability Director
“This much-needed shift to an Indigenous-led assessment puts Indigenous laws, rights and authority at the forefront when decisions are made about projects affecting our land and water.” — Joel Starlund/Sk’a’nisim Tsa Win Giit, Gitanyow Hereditary Chiefs Office Executive Director
“We appreciate the Gitanyow Hereditary Chiefs’ leadership in advancing the Wilp Sustainability Assessment Process, and we welcome the opportunity to engage in this process for the Red Chris Block Cave Project.”
Greg Norton, Director Permitting and Consultation, Block Cave Project, Newmont
Media enquiries:
Theresa Beer, Communications Consultant
C: 778-874-3396 E: [email protected]
Background:
In December of 2023 and July of 2024, Newmont held initial meetings with Gitanyow Nation during which the Gitanyow Hereditary Chiefs Office expressed interest in Newmont participating in the Gitanyow Wilp Sustainability Assessment Process (WSAP) regarding the offsite activities of the Mine’s operations.
The Gitanyow have never surrendered their Lax’yip, which spans approximately 6,200 square kilometres in the Nass and Skeena River watersheds, in what is now known as northwestern B.C.
The Gitanyow Wilp Sustainability Assessment Process was set up in 2020 to set out requirements for a fully Indigenous-led assessment of projects in the Gitanyow Lax’yip based on Gitanyow’s own laws. The process is a response to the provincial and federal environmental assessment processes, which from Gitanyow’s perspective rubber stamp industry plans and very rarely reject projects, respect Indigenous consent or provide for meaningful oversight and long-term monitoring.