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Posts tagged George Heyman
New federal panel appointed to review Taseko's proposed gold-copper mine in B.C.
The Vancouver Sun - May 9, 2012
B.C. Budget Risks Water, Environment
Sierra Club BC - Last Modified: Feb 21, 2012
Photo: Doug Keech, www.dougkeech.ca
Eliminating regulations for B.C.’s expanding mining projects will jeopardize water and wildlife and lead to increased community concern and conflict, Sierra Club BC warns following the B.C. budget. The government will spend $24 million to reduce the turnaround time for mineral exploration permits, but not a penny more to ensure robust environmental assessment capacity.
The budget, released February 21, earmarks $24 million to reduce the turnaround time for mineral exploration permits as the government focuses on eliminating “unnecessary regulations” for B.C.’s rapidly expanding mining sector.
“British Columbians are increasingly concerned about secure access to clean water, but this budget fast-tracks mining projects while cutting regulatory provisions that clearly exist to protect the public interest,” said Sierra Club BC Executive Director George Heyman. “There is no vision here for a sustainable economy that protects our environmental assets. Instead, we have more raw resource extraction with reduced public interest protection.”
Government’s public affairs bureau budget – at $26 million — is now three times as big as the budget for B.C.’s environmental assessment office, which has been frozen at $8.75 million despite a significant leap in proposed mining and energy projects.
“There appears to be plenty of money for the government to spin its message, but no increased funding for environmental assessment. New mine proposals around the province, and the environmentally questionable practice of natural gas fracking, cry out for strong measures that guarantee public and community health,” said Heyman.
Notably, B.C.’s environmental assessment process gave a green-light to the controversial “Prosperity” open pit mine at Fish Lake, a mine that was later rejected by former federal Environment Minister Jim Prentice. “And now the B.C. government wants to make it even easier for mining companies to engage in controversial road-building and drilling that will only lead to community conflict and economic uncertainty around the province,” said Heyman.
Heyman also said the government’s announcement of a one-year review of B.C.’s carbon tax sends the wrong signal at a critical time when scientists say we need immediate action to slow global warming. “Real climate leadership requires long-term commitment, not a one-time gesture,” he stated. Learn more about global warming and the need for action.
Rather than starting to restore B.C.’s ailing parks system following a decade of devastating cuts, the parks budget remains static. “Investing in B.C.’s parks system would create jobs and provide B.C. families with affordable recreation activities that help children develop healthy lifestyles. If Premier Clark is serious about focusing on families, repairing our B.C. parks system would be a great place to start.”
Heyman said the B.C. government needs to follow the lead of jurisdictions like Ontario and eliminate privileged permit treatment for the mining sector by modernizing B.C.’s mineral tenure act to ensure a level playing field for all industries, and respect for community development plans and First Nations rights. Learn more.
http://www.sierraclub.bc.ca/our-work/mining-energy/spotlights/b.c.-budget-risks-water-environment
Deja-Vu for Fish Lake
Sierra Club of BC - February 16, 2012
Photo: Lee-Anne Stack, www.oceans-and-above.com
It’s déjà-vu for Fish Lake. The federal government is now accepting public comments for an environmental assessment of Taseko’s “New Prosperity” mine. Sound familiar? A previous federal environmental assessment found that the proposed gold and copper mine near Williams Lake would cause irreparable damage. So why is a questionable project back on the front burner? Take Action.
Taseko Mines Ltd.’s original proposal for an open pit mine near Williams Lake was rejected in November 2010 by former federal Environment Minister Jim Prentice, following a scathing environmental assessment that concluded the mine would cause irreparable damage to First Nations rights, as well as to fish stocks and at-risk grizzly populations.
One year later, in November 2011, Ottawa accepted a second open pit mine proposal from Taseko for environmental review. The company’s first proposal would have turned Fish Lake – home to 80,000 rainbow trout and once featured on a B.C. tourism brochure – into a toxic tailings pond. The proposal under current review would see Fish Lake rendered unusable for up to 33 years. Little Fish Lake, which is crucial to the ecosystem that supports the unique trout population, would be destroyed.
Click here to submit a comment to the federal environmental assessment until February 22.
“There is something seriously wrong with our assessment process when a company like Taseko can simply re-submit a mining proposal after it has been soundly rejected,” said Sierra Club BC Executive Director George Heyman. “It would be a far better use of time and money to focus on mining proposals that are more environmentally appropriate and have the support of First Nations.”
The proposed mine is on the traditional lands of the Xeni Gwet’in First Nation, a member of the Tsilhqot’in National Government, which won a court case recognizing its rights to the area and is staunchly opposed to the mine. Read Chief Marilyn Baptiste’s letter in the Vancouver Sun.
Changes to the federal Fisheries Act allow metal mining corporations to use Canadian lakes to dispose of the millions of tonnes of toxic waste rock and tailings they generate. Little Fish Lake would be Canada’s fifth pristine natural water body authorized for destruction under this loophole, which was originally introduced solely to allow mines already approved and in existence to complete their economic life cycle.
Sierra Club BC and other groups are asking Ottawa to close the legislative loophole that allows destruction of Canada’s freshwater bodies for toxic mine tailings, and to ensure the intent of our Fisheries Act is no longer undermined.
Fish Lake Mine Goes to Court
Sierra Club BC - December 2, 2011
Taseko’s controversial Fish Lake gold and copper mine is back in the news, after original plans for the mine were soundly rejected by the federal government. The Tsilhqot’in National Government won an injunction on Dec. 2, blocking recent B.C. government permits that allowed Taseko to build roads and drill.
Read the Tsilhqot’in National Government press release (PDF file).
Justice Christopher Grauer also denied Taseko’s request for an injunction to ban protesters from blocking a road leading to the planned mine site. A judicial review will now begin scrutinizing the work permits granted to the company by the Province.
Read the Vancouver Sun article.
The Tsilhqot’in National Government had launched the court challenge asking the B.C. Supreme Court to invalidate or suspend approvals granted by British Columbia to Taseko Mines Ltd., without consultation with the First Nation. The permits allow Taseko to build 23.5 kilometers of roads, and to make 59 test pits and 18 drill holes — long before the company finds out if a new federal environmental assessment will give a green light to the project.
“Granting these permits shows a blatant disrespect for due environmental assessment processes,” said Sierra Club BC Executive Director George Heyman. Read our Nov. 3 press release.
Taseko applied for the injunction Nov. 14, after protesters blocked a road leading to the planned mining project. The company was in court on Nov. 28th, arguing that the protests were costing it money.
The Tsilhqot’in First Nation also applied for an injunction Nov. 14, after previously asking for a judicial review of the permits the B.C. government granted Taseko for road-building and drilling. Watch a video taken outside the court room.
Ottawa gave approval earlier in November for a second Fish Lake mine environmental review, and a new review panel will make a decision on the “New Prosperity” mine within a year. Read our press release. The Tsilhqot’in National Government reacted with “anger, frustration, bewilderment and disappointment” to the announcement. Read their press release.
Taseko’s original proposal for the open pit mine near Williams Lake was rejected last year by former federal Environment Minister Jim Prentice, following a scathing environmental assessment that concluded the mine would cause irreparable damage to First Nations rights, as well as to fish stocks and at-risk grizzly populations.
Read the story on CBC News and in the Vancouver Sun.
“This repackaged proposal would be even more environmentally destructive than the original proposal, according to Taseko’s own statements,” said Sierra Club BC Executive Director George Heyman. “There is something seriously wrong with our assessment process when a company like Taseko can simply re-submit a mining proposal after it has been soundly rejected. It would be a far better use of time and money to focus on mining proposals that are more environmentally appropriate and have the support of First Nations.”
Taseko said in late November that its new proposal would not result in the destruction of Fish Lake, which is home to 80,000 rainbow trout and was once featured on a B.C. Tourism brochure. In fact, the company’s new proposal renders the lake unusable for 33 years (the life of the mine). The new proposal would destroy Little Fish Lake, which is crucial to the ecosystem that supports the unique trout population and would be used as a toxic tailings pond.
The proposed mine is on the traditional lands of the Xeni Gwet’in First Nation, a member of the Tsilhqot’in National Government, which won a court case recognizing its rights to the area and is staunchly opposed to the mine. Read Chief Marilyn Baptiste’s letter in the Vancouver Sun.
http://www.sierraclub.bc.ca/campaign-spotlights/fish-lake-mine-goes-to-court
British Columbians want stricter mining regulations: Sierra Club
Business in Vancouver - November 17, 2011
Almost 80% of British Columbians want an end to preferential treatment for the province’s mining sector and 73% believe B.C.’s environmental assessment process needs to be strengthened, according to poll results released yesterday by Sierra Club BC.
The report comes on the heels of Christy Clark’s announcement Tuesday of a bill that will exempt “lower risk” mining activities from the permitting process.
Sierra Club BC executive director George Heyman said, “It’s time to end special treatment for B.C.’s mining sector.
“Mineral exploration companies should have to abide by the same rules as forestry and other sectors. Until we modernize B.C.’s 150-year-old Mineral Tenure Act we will continue to see conflict around the province over environment and land use issues, accompanied by economic uncertainty.”
Almost 80% polled by Strategic Communications believe that B.C.’s 150-year-old mining act should be overhauled to eliminate special treatment for the mining sector that gives mineral claims priority over other industries, land use plans and other local interests in most of B.C.
Last week the Tsilhqot’in Nation filed an injunction in B.C. Supreme Court against government permits being granted to Taseko Mines Ltd. (TSX: TKO) to build 23.5 kilometres of roads and to make 59 test pits and 18 drill holes in preparation for a controversial open-pit gold and copper mine near Fish Lake.
Taseko’s original Prosperity mine proposal was approved by the B.C. government following a provincial environmental assessment, but rejected by Ottawa after a federal environmental assessment.
The company’s revised proposal was recently accepted for a new federal environmental assessment review.
The Sierra Club’s poll found that 73% of British Columbians believe the Fish Lake case shows that B.C.’s environmental assessment process needs to be strengthened. It also found that 82% are opposed to allowing mining companies to fill fish-bearing lakes with mine waste.
More than 60% support more mining regulations and environmental oversight, even if it slows growth, compared with 25.5% who want to make it easier for mining to expand.
Fewer than 10% think mining companies should continue to be allowed to stake claims and explore on private property without permission.
The poll questions involved a random online sample of 850 adult British Columbians and were commissioned in April by Sierra Club BC.
Jennifer Harrison
jharrison@biv.com
@JHarrisonBIV
Sierra Club BC executive director George Heyman said, “It’s time to end special treatment for B.C.’s mining sector.
“Mineral exploration companies should have to abide by the same rules as forestry and other sectors. Until we modernize B.C.’s 150-year-old Mineral Tenure Act we will continue to see conflict around the province over environment and land use issues, accompanied by economic uncertainty.”
Almost 80% polled by Strategic Communications believe that B.C.’s 150-year-old mining act should be overhauled to eliminate special treatment for the mining sector that gives mineral claims priority over other industries, land use plans and other local interests in most of B.C.
Last week the Tsilhqot’in Nation filed an injunction in B.C. Supreme Court against government permits being granted to Taseko Mines Ltd. (TSX: TKO) to build 23.5 kilometres of roads and to make 59 test pits and 18 drill holes in preparation for a controversial open-pit gold and copper mine near Fish Lake.
Taseko’s original Prosperity mine proposal was approved by the B.C. government following a provincial environmental assessment, but rejected by Ottawa after a federal environmental assessment.
The company’s revised proposal was recently accepted for a new federal environmental assessment review.
The Sierra Club’s poll found that 73% of British Columbians believe the Fish Lake case shows that B.C.’s environmental assessment process needs to be strengthened. It also found that 82% are opposed to allowing mining companies to fill fish-bearing lakes with mine waste.
More than 60% support more mining regulations and environmental oversight, even if it slows growth, compared with 25.5% who want to make it easier for mining to expand.
Fewer than 10% think mining companies should continue to be allowed to stake claims and explore on private property without permission.
The poll questions involved a random online sample of 850 adult British Columbians and were commissioned in April by Sierra Club BC.
Jennifer Harrison
jharrison@biv.com
@JHarrisonBIV
Poll Shows Vast Majority Want B.C.’s Mining Rules to Change
Sierra Club BC - News Release - November 16, 2011
Special treatment for B.C. mining sector must end, say almost 80 percent polled
Victoria, BC Nov 16, 2011
Almost 80 percent of British Columbians want an end to preferential treatment for the province’s mining sector and 73 percent believe B.C.’s environmental assessment process needs to be strengthened, according to poll results released today by Sierra Club BC.
Despite overwhelming concern about special treatment for the mining sector, the B.C. government announced yesterday that it will exempt “lower risk” mining activities from the permitting process.
“It’s time to end special treatment for B.C.’s mining sector,” said Sierra Club BC Executive Director George Heyman. “Mineral exploration companies should have to abide by the same rules as forestry and other sectors. Until we modernize B.C.’s 150-year-old Mineral Tenure Act we will continue to see conflict around the province over environment and land use issues, accompanied by economic uncertainty.”
Almost 80 percent polled by Strategic Communications believe that B.C.’s 150-year-old mining act should be overhauled to eliminate special treatment for the mining sector that gives mineral claims priority over other industries, land use plans and other local interests in most of B.C.
Less than two weeks ago, the Tsilhqot’in National Government and Sierra Club BC revealed that the B.C. government had granted permits to Taseko Mines Ltd. to build 23.5 kilometers of roads and to make 59 test pits and 18 drill holes in preparation for a controversial open-pit gold and copper mine at Fish Lake.
Taseko’s original “Prosperity” mine proposal was given the green light by the B.C. government following a provincial environmental assessment, but rejected by Ottawa after a scathing federal environmental assessment. The company’s revised proposal, which would see Little Fish Lake turned into a toxic tailings pond and Fish Lake rendered unusable for 33 years, was recently accepted for a new federal environmental assessment review.
The poll found that 73 percent of British Columbians believe the Fish Lake case shows that B.C.’s environmental assessment process needs to be strengthened. It also found that 82 percent of British Columbians are opposed to the practice of allowing mining companies to fill fish-bearing lakes with mine waste. More than 60 percent support more mining regulations and environmental oversight, even if it slows growth, compared to 25.5 percent who want to make it easier for mining to expand. Fewer than 10 percent think mining companies should continue to be allowed to stake claims and explore on private property without permission.
The poll questions, conducted by Strategic Communications, involved a random online sample of 850 adult British Columbians and were commissioned in April by Sierra Club BC. The results are considered accurate to within plus or minus 3.4 percent 19 times out of 20.
Poll questions and results are attached below.
-30-
Contact:
George Heyman, Sierra Club BC Executive Director: (604) 312-6595
Sarah Cox, Sierra Club BC Communications Director: (250) 812-1762
Questions and Results
Count
Col %
D28. Some people say that mining is one of B.C.’s most important industries – creating good jobs and revenue for the province – and needs less regulation so it can grow and prosper. Other people say poorly regulated mining harms water, wildlife and communities, and needs stronger oversight, even if it slows growth. Which view is closer to your own? Mining in B.C. should be encouraged to grow
212 25.5% Mining in B.C. should be subject to stronger environmental rules, even if it slows growth
501 60.4%
Neither 117 14.1% Total 830
100.0%
Count
Col %
D29. B.C.’s 150 year old Mining Act treats mining as the first and best use of land. It gives mineral claims priority over other industries, land use plans and other local interests, except in cities and designated parks.
Which of the following statements most closely reflects your own view?
Mining should continue to be the highest priority for public lands - over other industries, land use plans, and other local interests.
54 6.5% Mining should be given the same priority as other industries and be subject to land use plans and other local interests.
652 78.5%
Neither 124
14.9% Total 830 100.0%
Count
Col %
D30. Under current regulations the government can and does grant permission for mining companies to fill fish-bearing lakes with mine waste. This practice should no longer be allowed.
Strongly agree 541 65.2% Somewhat agree 138 16.6% Neither agree nor disagree 101 12.1% Somewhat disagree 17 2.0% Strongly disagree 33 4.0% Total 830
100.0%
Count
Col %
D31. Recently a proposed mine that would have drained Fish Lake, a trout bearing lake in B.C.’s interior, was approved under B.C.’s environmental assessment process because of its economic benefits. The federal government rejected this same mine proposal because its environmental assessment found that the mine would have significant and irreversible negative impacts on fish, grizzly bears and on First Nations’ rights. This example shows that B.C.’s environmental assessment process needs to be strengthened.
Strongly agree 415 50.0% Somewhat agree 191 23.0% Neither agree nor disagree 146 17.6% Somewhat disagree 44
5.3% Strongly disagree 34 4.1% Total 830
100.0%
Count
Col %
D32. Under current regulations, mining companies are allowed to go onto people’s private property without permission to claim and develop the minerals underground. This practice should continue because it is important to maximize mining development in B.C.
Strongly agree 37
4.5% Somewhat agree 39
4.7% Neither agree nor disagree 97
11.7% Somewhat disagree 179
21.6% Strongly disagree 478 57.6% Total 830
100.0%
New Fish Lake Mine Review Points to Flawed Assessment Process Sierra Club BC calls Ottawa’s decision to revive mine proposal a “waste of taxpayers’ money”
Sierra Club BC - November 7, 2011
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 7, 2011
Victoria, B.C.-Ottawa’s decision to accept a repackaged Prosperity Mine
proposal for environmental review is a “disappointing and absurd” waste
of taxpayers’ money, Sierra Club BC said today.
Taseko Mines Ltd’s original proposal for a gold and copper mine near
Williams Lake was rejected last year by former federal Environment
Minister Jim Prentice, following a scathing environmental assessment
that concluded the mine would cause irreparable damage to First Nations
rights, as well as to fish stocks and at-risk grizzly populations.
“This repackaged proposal would be even more environmentally destructive
than the original proposal, according to Taseko’s own statements,” said
Sierra Club BC Executive Director George Heyman. “There is something
seriously wrong with our assessment process when a company like Taseko
can simply re-submit a mining proposal after it has been soundly
rejected. It would be a far better use of time and money to focus on
mining proposals that are more environmentally appropriate and have the
support of First Nations.”
Heyman called on the B.C. government to revoke permits it recently
granted Taseko to build 23.5 kilometers of roads and to make 59 test
pits and 18 drill holes around Fish Lake in preparation for the $1
billion mine. The proposed mine is on the traditional lands of the Xeni
Gwet’in First Nation, a member of the Tsilhqot’in National Government,
which won a court case recognizing its rights to the area and is
staunchly opposed to the mine.
“Allowing Taseko to start preparations for their toxic tailings pond
points to serious flaws in B.C.’s mining laws and a lack of due
process,” said Heyman.
Taseko’s revised project avoids draining picturesque Fish Lake, home to
80,000 rainbow trout and once featured on a B.C. tourism brochure.
Instead of the company’s original proposal to drain the lake, its
revised proposal says the lake would be surrounded by the proposed
open-pit mine, unusable for the life of the mine (up to 33 years) and,
by the company’s own admission, essentially destroyed by leaching from
nearby mine waste.
Sierra Club BC and the Tsilhqot’in National Government are calling on
Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency to reduce time and costs by
appointing the same panel members who examined Taseko’s original
proposal to the new review. It’s the first time a company has ever
resubmitted a reshaped proposal for federal environmental review after
it has been rejected.
-30-
Contact:
George Heyman, Sierra Club BC Executive Director: (604) 312-6595
Sarah Cox, Sierra Club BC Communications Director: (250) 812-1762
Opponents object to exploration around Taseko’s New Prosperity project
Canada.com - November 4, 2011
Taseko Mines Ltd. has been granted permits by the province to continue exploration work around its New Prosperity mine proposal, and mine opponents are objecting.
The permits, under a “notice of work” application, allow the company to build up to 23.5 kilometres of access trails, dig 59 test pits and drill some 18 geotechnical and exploratory holes, which the company — in its application document — said would disturb some 13.1 hectares of land.
Taseko’s initial proposal for the mine was rejected by the federal government a year ago. The permits, one from the Ministry of Energy and Mines and one from the Ministry of Forests, were issued while Taseko was waiting for the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency to make a decision on whether to proceed to a new review for a revised design of the project.
Brian Battison, Taseko’s vice-president of corporate affairs, said the work is being done under its existing mineral claim and lease, and will yield information that may be required in a new environmental review of its revised proposal.
“It’s not new, in terms of the nature of the work,” he said, adding that it is similar to the exploration work that it has conducted in the region for the past 18 years. “It is needed for engineering purposes to support the new project design.”
Opponents, however, viewed the approval of permits for additional exploration before the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency has made its decision as provocative.
“The sensible thing for both Taseko and the provincial government would be to hold back until decisions are made that meet the environmental assessment process that is in place,” said George Heyman, executive director of the Sierra Club of B.C.
In a statement, the Tsilhqot’in First Nation said it maintains its objection to Taseko’s revised mine proposal and contended the province has not meaningfully consulted with the community over impacts on its aboriginal title as a result of the new work.
