An estimated 200-plus people crowded into the 100 Mile Community Hall for the New Prosperity Mine Open House on March 16.
Hosted by the South Cariboo Chamber of Commerce, information tables lined the walls and spread across the room and they were manned by mine proponent, Taseko Mines Ltd. and other project supporters, as well as various mine opponents – all presenting information of their viewpoints and research.
At the door, mine supporters handed out “Committed to the Cariboo” pins and bumper stickers to all those who wanted them and many people immediately pinned them on.
Taseko had knowledgeable staff members on site from its William Lake office, including environmental co-ordinator Cheryl Williston and six others, who fielded questions along with vice-president of corporate affairs Brian Battison, senior V-P operations John McManus, and V-P engineering Scott Jones.
Battison says it was “a good event” and worthwhile for those wanting a well-rounded perspective.
“[Some] talked to me about the views they had heard from the other side … and they said ‘well, what about this; and what about that?’ And we were able to say ‘oh, those are good questions, let me answer them’.”
Battison adds he was impressed by the number of attendees, by how informed they were about the project, and by their “obvious support.”
“It just seemed very evident to me that the vast majority of people in that room were supportive of the project.
“It’s clear to me the town wants to express its positive view and support of the project and the role it can play in the future of 100 Mile House, and the region as a whole.”
Chief Russell Myers Ross of the Yunesit’in First Nation, one of the six Tsilhqot’in communities, attended to present opposition information alongside Fish Lake Alliance members Loren Sherlock, Jenny Noble and others.
Noble says she was pleased and appreciative to have the opportunity to present the alliance’s concerns, but disappointed that the First Nations drummers and singers were sent outside after a few songs.
However, Noble adds she feels the group was “quite successful” in sharing its many objections to the proposed mine.
“With few exceptions, we found the attitude of the people who approached our displays to be respectful, if not always open-minded.
“[We] feel the event demonstrated that there is a strong component of our communities that feel this particular mine must not be approved.”
Local Friends of Fish Lake member Patricia Spencer says she appreciates the event was well organized and gave people an opportunity to gain information from both sides of the issue, but felt the open house had “a pro-mine bias.”
She explains the Friends of Fish Lake are not opposed to mining, but think this particular mine should not be approved due to the environmental risks and lack of support from First Nations.
“There are other mining projects coming on board in the Cariboo.”
Chamber of Commerce president Tom Bachynski says it was “a good turnout and a great idea.”
“A lot of people showed up to get informed and that’s what the forum was for – to get informed and ask questions of both the proponents and the opponents.”
Hopefully, he adds, a lot more people are now informed on what the mine project is, and what the “weighted risks” are.
“It seemed like it was all civil and people got to speak their minds and say what they wanted to say without grandstanding and taking the stage. That, for me, was most important … and that everybody could share their opinions.”
Bachynski adds the chamber will always continue to support and represent the balanced voice of “all business.”
Say Yes to Prosperity Facebook page organizer Len Doucette, who originally devised the idea of the open house, says he is relieved there was “no big protest.”
“Everybody who attended had nothing but positive comments about the open house. It was really effective having both sides in the same room.”
He adds people who had been undecided on their stance on the project told him they appreciated the impartial facet of the event.
“[They] said it was ‘really nice to go to either side and get information and make my own informed decision’….”
Learn more
The Say Yes to Prosperity group can be found on Facebook.
More information about the Fish Lake Alliance and its research on the proposed New Prosperity Mine can be found at www.fishlakealliance.ca, or on the Friends of Fish Lake on Facebook.
The New Prosperity Mine website is online at www.newprosperityproject.ca.
