Metal Mining Effluent Regulations
Schedule 2: Getting Around the Protection of Lakes and Rivers
Jun 04 2009Because lakes and rivers are fish habitat, they are protected by the Fisheries Act. This Act is Canada's oldest environmental legislation and prohibits the release of deleterious substances into fish-bearing waters and the alteration or destruction of fish habitat. However, in 2002, Schedule 2 was added to the Metal Mining Effluent Regulation. Schedule 2 essentially allows for re-classifying any natural water body that gets listed on it as a tailings impoundment area. Once a lake or river gets listed, it is no longer considered a natural water body and no longer protected by the Fisheries Act.
Canada’s Valuable Fresh Water Is Not for Dumping Toxic Wastes - with Background
Nov 28 2008An emerging coalition of conservation, Aboriginal, and social justice organizations is calling on the federal government to immediately stop the practice of allowing mining companies to use Canada’s lakes as dumping grounds for toxic mine wastes.
Marathon PGM to find alternatives to destroying Bamoos Lake
Jul 07 2010MiningWatch has been informed in an email from the company, and confirmed by the staff for local MP Bruce Hyer, that Marathon PGM is no longer considering the destruction of Bamoos Lake as one of two tailings management options.
Federal Panel on Proposed Prosperity Gold-Copper Mine Finds Project Would Have Significant Negative Environmental Effects and Be a Significant Loss to First Nations
Jul 02 2010The Federal Environmental Assessment Panel examining the proposed Prosperity Gold-Copper Mine released its findings today. The open pit mine, proposed by Taseko Mines Ltd. would exploit a large but low-grade gold-copper deposit in the territory of the Tsilhqot’in Nation, 125 km west of Williams Lake BC. Like the provincial environmental assessment process, the federal Panel found the project would have significant negative environmental effects.
Marathon PGM threatens Bamoos Lake
Jun 10 2010A federal environmental assessment of Marathon PGM's proposed mine in northern Ontario started on April 16, 2010. One of two proposed tailings management options would have 61-million m3 of mine waste dumped into Bamoos Lake. Bamoos Lake is a deep, cold water lake with a naturally sustaining lake trout population. It is used as both an aboriginal and recreational fishery.
Gaping Holes in Fish Habitat Safety Net – Watchdog Has Little Confidence Proposed Projects Will Achieve “No Net Loss” of Fish Habitat
Dec 03 2009In recent reviews of two proposed BC mining projects, MiningWatch Canada has found significant flaws in plans to compensate for fish habitat that would be lost if the mines go into operation. Both the Mt. Milligan and Prosperity projects will negatively affect fish habitats and the proponents will be required to compensate for these impacts by creating or improving fish habitat elsewhere.
Proposed Prosperity Gold-Copper Mine
Dec 03 2009Taseko Mines Ltd. is proposing to construct a massive open-pit copper and gold mine in the heart of Tsilhqot’in Territory, 125 km west of Williams Lake BC. Information about the project, critiques of the Environmental Assessment, and the film Blue Gold by Raven Trust are available here.
Mining Day on the Hill - What you should know about mining and Canadian mining companies
Nov 23 2009In anticipation of the annual Mining Day on the Hill lobbying frenzy, MiningWatch Canada would like to provide you with an alternative perspective on several important issues. The mining industry is one of the most policy-privileged industries in Canada. This is despite the fact that at home and around the world, the industry has generated massive environmental impacts, created social conflicts, and infringed on Aboriginal rights and title.
Proposed Mt. Milligan Gold-Copper Project
Nov 20 2009Terrane Metals Corp. is proposing an open pit gold-copper mine in central BC near the town of Fort St. James and within the traditional territories of the McLeod Lake Indian Band and the Nak'azdli Nation. The two nations are not in agreement over the project proceeding with the Nak'azdli whose members kayho (traditional hunting, trapping and gathering area) will be affected directly, opposing the project.
Canadian Lakes and Streams at Risk of Being Converted to “Tailings Impoundment Areas”
Jan 04 2009One of MiningWatch Canada’s key areas of work in 2008 and that will be continuing in 2009 has been our efforts to curtail the destruction of natural water bodies for the creation of tailings impoundments (i.e. waste dumps).
