First Nation Fights In B.C. Court To Stop Dozens Of Mineral Claims

"Two companies named in a B.C. Supreme Court case have made claims to Ehattesaht land — while the First Nation argues the province should stop automatically giving away mineral rights to its territory".

"Mining exploration companies continue to make claims in Ehattesaht First Nation territory, even as the First Nation fights in the B.C. Supreme Court to stop claims without consultation.

Ehattesaht, along with Gitxaala Nation, are asking the province to stop automatically giving away mineral rights to their land. B.C.’s current online system allows almost anyone with a computer, internet service and a few dollars to claim the rights to minerals across the province, including on First Nation territories.

Thirty claims have been registered in or on the edges of Ehattesaht territory since the case was launched on June 9, 2022. Seven of these claims were made by companies named in the court challenge, Privateer Gold Ltd. and Almehri Mining Inc."

Francesca Fionda reports for The Narwhal May 3, 2023.

Source: The Narwhal, 05/05/2023