British Columbia

Supreme Court of Canada gives public a voice on major industrial projects – Court ensures meaningful environmental assessments across country

Jeudi, janvier 21, 2010

Joint news release with Ecojustice and the Canadian Environmental Law Association: Ottawa, ON – Today, the Supreme Court of Canada ruled that the Canadian government has violated a national environmental law aimed at ensuring sustainable development. In a case centered on the proposed Red Chris mine in British Columbia, the Court ruled that the federal government cannot split projects into artificially small parts to avoid rigorous environmental assessments. The ruling also guarantees that the public will be consulted about major industrial projects, including large metal mines and tar sands developments.

Étiquettes: Canada, British Columbia, Environmental Planning, Environmental Assessment, Imperial Metals

MiningWatch Intervenes in Federal Environmental Assessment of Controversial Prosperity Project

Mardi, janvier 5, 2010

In February, an independent committee awarded MiningWatch $37,200 to participate in the environmental assessment of Taseko Mines’ proposed Prosperity Gold and Copper Mine. The project area is 125 km south west of Williams Lake BC and within the traditional territory of the Xeni Gwet’in, members of the Tsilhqot’in National Government (TNG).

Étiquettes: British Columbia, Environmental Planning, Environmental Assessment, Newsletter 27: Winter 2009-2010, Taseko

Gaping Holes in Fish Habitat Safety Net – Watchdog Has Little Confidence Proposed Projects Will Achieve “No Net Loss” of Fish Habitat

Jeudi, décembre 3, 2009

In 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.

Étiquettes: Metal Mining Effluent Regulations, Water, British Columbia, Water and fisheries, Taseko, Terrane Metals

Proposed Prosperity Gold-Copper Mine

Jeudi, décembre 3, 2009

Taseko Mines Ltd. is proposing to construct an open-pit copper and gold mine in the heart of Tsilhqot’in Territory, 125 km west of Williams Lake BC.

Blue Gold: The Tsilhqot'in Fight for Teztan Biny (Fish Lake) from Susan Smitten on Vimeo.

If the project were to proceed it would:

Étiquettes: Metal Mining Effluent Regulations, Water, British Columbia, Environmental Assessment, Free Entry/Land Access, Indigenous Rights, Water and fisheries, Taseko

Proposed Mt. Milligan Gold-Copper Project

Vendredi, novembre 20, 2009

Terrane 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.

Étiquettes: Metal Mining Effluent Regulations, Water, British Columbia, Environmental Planning, Environmental Assessment, Free Entry/Land Access, Gold, Indigenous Rights, Goldcorp, Terrane Metals

Environmental groups take Feds to the Supreme Court — Canada’s highest court hears case defending public participation in environmental reviews

Mardi, octobre 13, 2009

Joint news release with Ecojustice and CELA: This Friday, the Supreme Court of Canada considers whether the federal government acted unlawfully by excluding public input from its evaluation of the controversial proposed Red Chris mine – a massive project that would turn a northern lake into a dumping ground for toxic mining waste. The appeal could determine the fate of a number of Canadian lakes currently threatened by mining proposals, by ensuring more rigorous environmental assessments with mandatory public participation.

Étiquettes: British Columbia, Environmental Planning, Environmental Assessment, Imperial Metals

BC Government Breaks the Law - Nak’azdli vows to stop Mt. Milligan mine

Mardi, septembre 15, 2009

Nak'azdli logo

NAK’AZDLI BAND COUNCIL
P.O. Box 1329, Fort St. James, B.C. V0J 1P0
Telephone (250) 996 – 7171
Fax (250) 996 – 8010

For Immediate Release: September 15, 2009

Étiquettes: British Columbia, Indigenous Rights, Terrane Metals

Supreme Court To Hear Red Chris Case

Lundi, janvier 5, 2009

Long-awaited opportunity to reinforce public participation in federal environmental assessments: On December 18, 2008, the Supreme Court of Canada decided to allow MiningWatch Canada to appeal a Federal Court of Appeal decision that had negated the public’s right to be consulted on large mines and other industrial projects.

Étiquettes: British Columbia, Environmental Planning, Environmental Assessment, Newsletter 26: Autumn 2008, Imperial Metals

Fight for Public Involvement in Environmental Assessment Heads To Supreme Court: First Time Environmental Group Granted Leave to Appeal to Supreme Court of Canada

Jeudi, décembre 18, 2008

A long battle over the public's right to be consulted on large mines and other industrial projects is now heading to the Supreme Court of Canada. The Supreme Court decided on December 18, 2008 to allow MiningWatch Canada to appeal the decision of the Federal Court of Appeal on the environmental assessment of the proposed Red Chris mine in British Columbia.

Étiquettes: British Columbia, Environmental Planning, Environmental Assessment, Imperial Metals

Canoe Creek Band Condemns BC Environmental Assessment Decision

Vendredi, novembre 28, 2008

The Canoe Creek Indian Band is furious at the decision by the Provincial Government to abandon plans for a Joint Panel review of the proposed Prosperity Mine at Fish Lake. “For 18 months we have been in contact with Canada and the Province about the process for the review of the Prosperity Project. All along they clearly indicated that a Joint Panel would be recommended, and they were simply waiting for the Ministers to make the final decision to create one. Then the Province, after all those discussions and exchanges, turns around and decides to go its own way.

Étiquettes: Metal Mining Effluent Regulations, British Columbia, Environmental Assessment, Indigenous Rights, Taseko