Hereditary chiefs from Ahousaht First Nation are reported to have raised a voice against environmental groups, accusing them of tampering with traditional decision-making as concerns emerge over the possibility of a copper mine on Catface Mountain.

The Friends of Clayoquot Sound and the Western Canada Wilderness Committee have stood against a plan by Imperial Metals Corporation to mine Catface Mountain, nearly 13 kilometres north of Tofino on the West Coast of Vancouver Island.

"The Ahousaht people are a sovereign nation with a connection to our Hahoulthee [traditional territories]. We are more than capable of making decisions that impact our people and our land," hereditary chief Keith Atleo, known as Kiista, said yesterday.

Catface Mountain, situated in Ahousaht traditional territory, forms the heart of Clayoquot Sound, a UNESCO biosphere reserve.

Imperial Metals is initiating exploratory drilling for copper on Catface, without applying for a official permit for the same.

It is feared that a mine could cause the top to blow off the mountain, water and ocean pollution from acid tailings and visual and noise disturbances near the tourist resort of Tofino.