THE Province and the Tahltan Nation have reached a historic milestone by jointly making regulatory decisions on the reopening of the Eskay Creek gold-silver mine through the first-ever Declaration Act Section 7 agreement.
The project is expected to deliver lasting benefits for the Tahltan Nation and people who live throughout British Columbia by creating jobs and supporting economic growth.
“Today marks success for yet another multibillion-dollar investment in our province that will deliver prosperity, jobs and stability for all British Colombians, achieved in true partnership with the Tahltan,” said Premier David Eby on Tuesday. “Congratulations to all who were involved in this important work. Those who want to end our work with First Nations would not have delivered these thousands of jobs, period. Following their advice would leave us poorer, tied up in court and in a place of uncertainty. Canadians don’t have time for that. Families need results now, and together with First Nations, industry, workers and local communities, we are delivering real opportunity.
“With Mount Milligan ($400 million), Highland Valley Copper ($1.5 billion), and Blackwater expansion Phase 3 ($1.4 billion), more than $3 billion in job-creating investment in B.C.’s mining sector has reached final investment decision in just the last month, creating thousands of high-paying new jobs.”
Kerry Carlick, President of the Tahltan Central Government (TCG), said: “This is a hugely important day. TCG’s decision to consent to the Eskay Creek Project reflects a historic, precedent-setting process that affirms Tahltan Nation’s authority over development in our Territory, recognized by the Province and Skeena Gold + Silver. Through respectful collaboration, Tahltan and western perspectives were woven together to review the project, creating stronger assessments and demonstrating that respecting First Nations’ self-government can lead to shared prosperity and a better future for all who work in our Territory. The Mineral Tax Revenue Sharing Agreement with the Province is an important step forward, helping ensure real and lasting benefits for Tahltan communities.”
The decisions by the Province and Tahltan Central Government on the Eskay Creek Revitalization project were made under the Province’s Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (Declaration Act). This consent-based Section 7 agreement, signed between Tahltan Central Government and the Province in 2022, required the free, prior and informed consent of the Tahltan Nation for the project to proceed, reflecting a new approach to decision-making that recognizes Indigenous rights and jurisdictions within provincial processes.
This agreement demonstrates how the Declaration Act is being implemented in a meaningful and practical way. It advances the Province’s commitment to reconciliation by moving beyond consultation toward collaborative consent-based decision-making, strengthening relationships with First Nations, and creating a respectful, transparent and predictable framework for resource development in British Columbia.
“The Eskay Creek mine is a priority project for our government, and I am pleased to see it moving forward following careful decision-making by both the Tahltan Central Government and the provincial government,” said Jagrup Brar, Minister of Mining and Critical Minerals. “This project represents an important milestone toward meaningful reconciliation. The collaborative work from all parties to enable the reopening of this mine reflects our commitment to ensuring mining projects that respect Indigenous interests and environmental values proceed responsibly and deliver lasting benefits for British Columbians.”
Eskay Creek gold-silver mine, located in the heart of B.C.’s Golden Triangle region, is one of the 18 priority projects designated by the Province. It is anticipated that the project will create approximately 1,000 construction jobs and more than 770 jobs during operations.
The mine involves a projected capital expenditure of $713 million and, as estimated during the environmental assessment process, is expected to generate approximately $1.19 billion in provincial revenue.
Through a strong, collaborative review process, and following issuance of Tahltan’s consent decision to the Environmental Assessment Office, the Province issued the Environmental Assessment Certificate and the Major Mines Permit for the reopening of the Eskay Creek gold-silver mine. Priority projects are about actions government can take to improve efficiency in decision-making, while still ensuring these projects continue to meet B.C.’s world-class safety and environmental standards and commitments to consultation.
The Tahltan Central Government and Province are also entering into a mineral tax revenue-sharing agreement, with the first mineral tax payment available as early as 2027-28.
* The Province has worked closely with Skeena Gold and Silver and Tahltan Nation to ensure the Eskay Creek Mine upholds B.C.’s rigorous environmental and community safety standards.
* Advancing responsible mining projects that deliver long-term economic stability to local communities and the people who rely on the industry remains a top priority for the Province.
* This project supports Look West, a strategic plan to reduce barriers, accelerate major projects, and create good jobs and opportunities for people and businesses throughout B.C. and across Canada.
* Through Look West, the Province is working to grow B.C.’s critical minerals sector through strong partnerships with First Nations and creating more certainty through reliable permitting timelines for major projects.
Quick Facts:
* Located in the heart of northwestern British Columbia’s Golden Triangle region, Eskay Creek is a high-grade volcanogenic massive sulphide deposit that was previously operated as an underground mine from 1994-2008.
* Skeena is redeveloping Eskay Creek as an open-pit mining operation with a projected 13-year mine life.
* The project received an environmental assessment certificate on Jan. 26, 2026. The Declaration Act Consent Decision-Making Agreement for Eskay Creek Project between B.C. and Tahltan Central Government guided the collaborative decision-making process by each government under the Environmental Assessment Act.
* Environmental Management Act permit approvals are also required for the project to proceed. Decisions are expected soon.
* Mineral Tax Revenue Sharing agreements are government-to-government tools that provide a predictable, long-term partnership framework for mining activity over the lifecycle of a mine, while ensuring First Nations share in economic benefits through the sharing of mineral tax revenue linked to specific projects.
