Tahltan Central Council celebrating Fortune Minerals’ decision to halt exploration

The Tahltan Central Council is celebrating Fortune Minerals’ decision to halt mineral exploration activities in the Klappan. Fortune made the announcement Sept 23 that it will halt drilling and has suspended all activity at its Arctos Anthracite coal project. Tahltan Elders, leaders and community members have focused their efforts in recent weeks to persuade Fortune to leave the area. “Today we are celebrating the strength and unity of our people,” said Tahltan Central Council President Annita McPhee. “Tahltan people have again demonstrated their commitment to protecting the lands and waters of our territory, which have sustained us for generations.” Fortune’s announcement came after a visit by Bill Bennett, minister of Energy and Mines for BC, to a Tahltan camp at the foot of Mount Klappan on Sept. 20. “I want to acknowledge Minister Bennett for coming to meet with our people and to hear our concerns. It is an important step towards helping the province understand why this area must be protected,” said McPhee. “Fortune’s withdrawal is a very welcome development, but it is only a first step. Now we must work together to build a vision for the Klappan that puts this kind of conflict behind us. We have to move this process forward urgently.”