MABC Waffles

LETTER 1

From: Michael McPhie [mailto:mmcphie@mining.bc.ca]

Sent: Monday, Oct. 22, 2007, 12:38 p.m.

I am writing in response to your editorial (T.N.M. Oct. 1-7/07) regarding Northgate Minerals and the recommendations of the public panel convened to review the Kemess North project. As we have stated publicly, the Mining Association of BC, an organization that, since 1901, has represented all the companies with operating mining or smelting operations in B.C., is deeply concerned with the methodology, approach and conclusions of the panel on this project.

We believe the panel may have exceeded its terms of reference in making recommendations to the provincial and federal ministers and if not, then its mandate was too broad.

However, your treatment and interpretation of issues regarding aboriginal values raised by the panel was, in my view, both simplistic and derogatory to a very rich and important culture. The fact is that the environmental assessment process in Canada is ill equipped to adequately deal with the complexity of issues it is being asked to address — this has been demonstrated in numerous examples across the country. Significant work is needed by all parties to address this issue. As a start, political leadership is needed to provide clear guidelines for companies wanting to invest in B.C. with respect to their duty to consult and accommodate First Nations.

These limitations, however, should not be misinterpreted or used as a means to discount the fact that traditional and cultural values of aboriginal people do exist and should be afforded full consideration by companies and governments. We are at a crucial juncture in B.C. and, I would offer, Canada, and what is needed is political leadership at all levels of government to address these issues and honest, informed and respectful dialogue by all parties.

LETTER 2

From: Michael McPhie

Sent: Monday, Oct. 22, 2007, 3:45 p.m.

I apologize but the last e-mail I sent was in error. I would appreciate if it could be destroyed. Please use the following as our submission on this matter.

I am writing in response to your editorial (T.N.M. Oct. 1-7/07) regarding Northgate Minerals and the recommendations of the public panel convened to review the Kemess North Project. As we have stated publicly, the Mining Association of BC, an organization that, since 1901, has represented all the companies with operating mining or smelting operations in B.C., is deeply concerned with the methodology, approach and conclusions of the panel on this project.

We believe the panel may have exceeded its terms of reference in making recommendations to the provincial and federal ministers and if not, then its mandate was too broad.

Although we appreciate the work of The Northern Miner and your paper’s support of a strong mining industry in Canada, the reference to issues regarding aboriginal spiritual and cultural values in the concluding sentences of your article do not, in our view, help to advance the dialogue on these issues in a healthy way. The fact is that the environmental assessment process in Canada is ill equipped to adequately deal with the complexity of issues it is being asked to address — this has been demonstrated in numerous examples across the country.

Significant work is needed by both the provincial and federal governments to address this issue. As a start, political leadership is needed to provide clear guidelines for companies wanting to invest in B.C. with respect to their duty to consult and accommodate First Nations.

The panel provided recommendations to the federal and provincial ministers on the Kemess North project. It is now up to them to assess how these should be considered and it is our hope that the full weight of both the benefits and impacts of the Kemess North project will be more adequately considered.

Michael McPhie

President and CEO

Mining Association of British Columbia