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Vancouver-based Avanti Mining Inc. (TSX-V: AVT) is pushing back after the Nisga’a Lisims Government launched a dispute-resolution process with the provincial government over an environmental assessment – a move that could impede Avanti’s planned restart of its Kitsault molybdenum mine.
This morning, Avanti issued a news release stating that it is aware of the move by the First Nation.
“The company remains confident the environmental assessment process has been thoroughly and properly conducted and expects a decision from government in the days ahead,” Avanti stated.
The company stated that B.C.’s environmental assessment process is “one of the most rigorous anywhere.” It added that it has spent four years and $13 million on the process, including a 600-page report “specifically dedicated to the economic, social and cultural interests of the Nisga’a citizens.”
Avanti president Craig Nelson emphasized the work the company has done.
“The amount of work that we have done to ensure the Nisga’a Treaty requirements have been met has been extraordinary and unprecedented, and the government has already gone well past the statutory timeframes,” Nelson said.
“We firmly believe that B.C. and Canada have fulfilled their obligations under the treaty and fully expect the ministers to approve this project at this time.”
According to Avanti, nothing in the Nisga’a Treaty or provincial legislation prevents ministers from making a decision at this time on whether to issue an environmental assessment certificate.
By Jenny Wagler
