 | The Tsilhqot’in First Nation — currently under an evacuation order due to B.C.’s wildfires — learned Monday that permits have been issued for mining company Taseko (TKO.t) to conduct exploration for the New Prosperity mine, an open pit gold and copper mine twice rejected at the federal level. Monday was the outgoing B.C. Liberal government’s final day in power. Chief Roger William of the Gwet’in First Nation, one of six tribes of the Tsilhqot’in, said “We’re certainly outraged about it. Our people, they found out as we’re dealing with fire and now we’re dealing with a three-year drilling program.” |
 | The permits grant Taseko permission to create 76 kilometres of new or modified trails, 122 exploratory drill holes, 367 excavated test pits and 20 kilometres of seismic lines near Fish Lake, also known as Teztan Biny, an area of great significance for the Tsilhqot’in. According to Elections B.C. Taseko donated over $123,000 to the B.C. Liberals between 2008 and 2014. |  |
