Imperial Metals

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

News release: In a letter to British Columbia Premier Christy Clark today, 36 scientists asked for her leadership to balance impending industrial development in northwest B.C. with the outstanding fish, wildlife and ecological values of this largely pristine region. Of particular concern are the impacts to clean water and salmon runs in B.C. and southeast Alaska. Spurred by BC Hydro’s Northwest Transmission Line (NTL), which has received environmental approvals, the rush is on to build mines, river-diversion hydroelectric dams and coal-bed methane energy projects that could radically transform the region.

Friday, November 12, 2010

Google map: Canadian Lakes, Streams and Wetlands at RiskThese natural lakes and streams have been or are at risk of being "re-classified" as waste dumps for the mining industry. This is possible to thanks to Schedule 2 of the Fisheries Act's Metal Mining Effluent Regulations which was added in 2002. The first listings were used to 'grandfather' ongoing operations, but since 2006 it has been used to condemn pristine lakes and streams.

Colour code: yellow markers are original listings from 2002, purple are lakes that have been listed since 2002, red are in the process of being listed and blue were at risk but have been saved by citizen action and environmental reviews.

Tuesday, August 10, 2010

Joint news release with Ecojustice and Great Lakes United: New data released Friday in response to a lawsuit won last year by Ecojustice, on behalf of Great Lakes United and MiningWatch Canada, is beginning to shine a light on the toxic legacy of Canada's mining and tar sands industries. Unfortunately, despite a lawsuit and a government order to report pollutant releases, some facilities have failed to comply.

Thursday, January 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.

Tuesday, October 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.

Monday, January 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.

Thursday, December 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.

Friday, November 28, 2008

On June 13, 2008, the Federal Court of Appeal determined that citizens do not have a right to be consulted about proposed large industrial developments.

The appeal ruling denies the public any input when federal departments that issue regulatory permits determine the “scope” of the project that will be subject to Environmental Assessment.

Friday, November 28, 2008

An 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.

Thursday, October 4, 2007

Following a Federal Court decision on September 25, 2007, the future of the proposed Red Chris mine - a huge acid-generating mine proposed for north-western British Columbia – has been put in doubt.

The precedent-setting decision upholds the fundamental right of Canadians to be consulted during the environmental assessment of large mines on the comprehensive study list. The Court found that the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act enshrined this right when it was amended in October 2003.