Taseko Mines (TSX: TKO; NYSE MKT: TGB; LSE: TKO) has appointed Crystal Smith, the elected Chief Councillor of the Haisla Nation, to its board of directors.
Smith has served the Haisla Nation Chief Councillor for the past seven years. She was instrumental in developing Cedar LNG, the world’s first Indigenous majority-owned liquified natural gas project located within Haisla territory in Kitimat, British Columbia.
A partnership with Pembina Pipeline Corporation, the project represents one of the most significant capital investments by an Indigenous nation in Canada’s history. It successfully completed federal and provincial environmental assessment processes in 2023 and achieved a final investment decision in June 2024.
“On behalf of the entire board, I am pleased to welcome Chief Crystal Smith to Taseko’s board of directors. Ms. Smith has many great qualities that will strengthen our board, through her experience as the Haisla Nation’s elected Chief Councillor and her background in economic development of Indigenous-led and supported industrial projects in British Columbia,” Taseko chairman Ron Thiessen said in a news release.
“Ms. Smith has been a champion for the responsible development of liquified natural gas on BC’s North Coast, while establishing numerous joint ventures and limited partnerships for the benefit of the Haisla Nation,” Thiessen added.
“Her leadership in facilitating resource development in British Columbia, and fostering mutually beneficial partnerships between industry and Indigenous groups, will greatly benefit Taseko as we look to advance our portfolio of projects in the province.”
“I am pleased to bring my years of experience in Indigenous governance, environmental advocacy and responsible industrial development to Taseko’s board of directors as the company seeks to grow the responsible production of copper in Canada and the United States,” Smith said.
“I believe responsible resource development, advanced in partnership with Indigenous communities, can make a positive contribution to the goals of Reconciliation, while contributing to a stronger Canadian economy and benefitting all Canadians.”
Smith also leads the Haisla Nation’s involvement with LNG Canada, and its development of the first LNG export facility on Canada’s West Coast. She is chair of the First Nations LNG Alliance, an advocacy group of Indigenous governments and organizations pursuing an expanded LNG industry in Canada. She is also a director of the First Nations Climate Initiative, which promotes responsible economic development in support of BC and Canada’s net-zero targets.
Smith obtained her ICD.D Designation through the ICD-Rotman Director Education Program in 2023.