Tsetsaut Skii km Lax Ha Nation Challenges Approval of World’s Largest Gold Mine in B.C.

The First Nation claims the province failed to consult them on the KSM Mine project, which they say threatens their land and waterways.

The Tsetsaut Skii km Lax Ha Nation has filed for a judicial review in the B.C. Supreme Court over the province's approval of the KSM Mine project, calling the consultation process inadequate.
The KSM Mine, set to be the world's largest undeveloped gold, copper, and silver mine, includes plans for a tailings pond that the First Nation argues poses environmental risks to their territory.
The First Nation alleges that the province and Seabridge Gold, the mine's developer, prioritized engagement with larger Indigenous groups, such as the Tahltan and Nisga’a nations, while ignoring their concerns.
Seabridge Gold contends that they extended multiple invitations to the Tsetsaut Skii km Lax Ha Nation to participate in the review process and funded opportunities for their involvement, which were declined.
This legal challenge follows broader criticism of British Columbia’s application of its 2019 law adopting the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) as a reconciliation framework.