I have a number of problems with your post edcraig, I'll see if I can address them in a relatively efficient and accurate manner...
1. You make out that the Tahltan Nation are completely opposed to mining, this is completely inaccurate. They're supportive of numerous mining projects that are at a variety of stages - from exploration to production. Many of the Tahltan Nation people are employed by mining projects in BC.
2. You make reference to the BC government recently buying back leases from coal companies and imposing a moratorium on mining in the general area of groundhog (this statement is incredibly misleading)...I can only guess that you're referring to the leases bought from Fortune Minerals/POSCO by BC Railway Company - actual facts on what has happened can be found here:
http://www.vancouverobserver.com/news/talks-continue-after-bc-rail-buys-coal-licenses-sacred-ground
More on this below.
3. I am unsure about your comment that the previous Chief was opposed to the Groundhog mine and also that there was "opposition to the mine previously" - I would love to see some evidence to back up these comments?
4. Fortune Minerals project was very different to Atrum's Groundhog project, for a variety of reasons:
(a) From day 1 Fortune Minerals operated with disregard for the Tahltan Nation, their approach was aggressive and provocative...on the other hand, Atrum have worked in partnership with their First Nation people (which predominantly is the Gitxsan Nation anyway) and have an outstanding relationship with the people of the Gitxsan Nation, this also extends to their relationship with the Tahltan Nation.
(b) The Fortune Minerals project was located at the Sacred Headwaters, which as the name describes is a very sacred location in the First Nation culture...Atrum's Groundhog project is not located near to this kind of sacred location.
(c) The Groundhog project is almost 100km from the Sacred Headwaters and Fortune Minerals proposed project.
(d) As I mentioned above, the major stakeholder involved with the Groundhog project from a First Nation perspective is the people of the Gitxsan Nation, the Tahltan Nation are also a stakeholder and have some involvement in the process, but their involvement is minor compared to the people of the Gitxsan Nation. I know I might sound like a broken record, but this distinction cannot be emphasised enough in my opinion.
5. Further to my comments above, to emphasise the strength of the relationship Atrum have with the Gitxsan Nation, Atrum's camp is being run by Gitxsan people and the Chief's daughter has been doing an internship in relation to mining/construction engineering with Atrum. Additionally, the Chief has been pressing for the project to progress as they're enthusiastic to see more of their community employed within the project.
6. Typically when the First Nation people are looking to oppose the development of a project, they make it impossible to engage with them and meet to discuss etc, this has not been the case for Atrum at all, there has been constant engagement and many meetings. As mentioned previously, Atrum view their relationship with the Gitxsan Nation as a partnership, this has been the case all along.
To summarise, some of your statements aren't completely untrue edcraig, but they're very misleading. I am unconcerned by the Bulk Sample Permit being approved, I think within 8 weeks, we will know that a big milestone has been ticked off in that regard.
