A First Nation group in Canada's British Columbia province has put top gold miner Newmont Corp on notice that it is unlikely to gain buy-in for a gold and copper project, amid concern that mining will encroach on a local town.

Miners from Teck to Rio Tinto have signed consent agreements with the nation, whose business arm spans aviation to mining.

Junior exploration companies have carried out the work. Majors like Rio Tinto have not yet picked up any copper projects in B.C.

“We would like to be, but we just need to find the right project,” Welton said. “My exploration manager bugs me almost every time that I speak to him. And he reminds me that, to balance our portfolio in Canada, he wants a B.C. porphyry.”