The proposed merger of Teck Resources and Anglo American is drawing opposition from Indigenous leaders in British Columbia, who warn the deal cannot go ahead without consultation.
The Osoyoos Indian Band said Thursday that the transaction risked repeating a long history of governments and companies overlooking Indigenous rights and title.
“Deals of this scale have the possibility of significant impacts on Indigenous Nations and our people. These deals cannot be completed without the title holders on whose lands these mines and smelters are situated being included,” Chief Clarence Louie said in a statement.
The Osoyoos Indian Band, part of the Sylix Nation, pointed to Teck’s Trail smelter in southern British Columbia as an example of longstanding impacts without corresponding benefits. “The Teck Cominco smelter near Trail, British Columbia, has existed on our land for over 100 years. To date we have experienced significant impacts without any benefit,” Louie said.
While Teck has touted plans to expand smelter operations to process more critical minerals, including copper and gallium, Louie said it was “unconscionable” to make such commitments to government without engaging First Nations.
Both Teck and Anglo emphasise their policies for working with Indigenous communities, but Louie said no outreach had yet been made on the merger. “We call upon the Prime Minister, Mark Carney, Industry Minister, Mélanie Joly, and BC Premier, David Eby, to direct the leadership of these two companies to work with us before any deal is approved,” he said.
Anglo-Teck announced earlier this month a $53-billion merger, one of the biggest in recent years. As part of the transaction, the companies said they would invest as much as C$750-million in the Trail operations to explore ways to add copper processing and expand output.