People in favour or opposed to the New Prosperity Gold-Copper Mine project are preparing statements now that the federal panel review hearings are set to begin July 22.
On Thursday June 20 CEAA announced that the environmental impact statement (EIS) along with the additional information submitted by Taseko Mines Ltd. contains sufficient information to proceed to the public hearing.
“We’re pleased to be going to the public hearings,” said Taseko Mines vice president of corporate affairs Brian Battison Friday. “It’s appropriate that the people of the Cariboo Chilcotin region have a chance to express their views of the project and the relationship between this project and their future.”
Battison said a number of representatives from Taseko will attend all of the hearing sessions.
Taseko is expected to be there throughout and will make an opening presentation to the panel on opening day.
Tsilhqot’in National Government chair Chief Joe Alphonse said Thursday he wasn’t surprised to hear the panel hearings will begin.
The TNG will participate in the hearings, but a lot of members are asking why they have to go through the process again. When the first mine proposal was rejected in 2010 they thought it was over, he said.
“We’re peaceful people. We just want to be left alone and enjoy our lifestyle within our areas.”
The TNG will put its “best foot forward” and do everything it can, he added.
“We’re confident the panel is going to arrive at the same conclusion as ourselves and recommend to government that the mine should not go ahead,” Alphonse said. He does fear this time around the majority Conservative government will try to push it through.
“I think Taseko is counting on that political fact,” Alphonse suggested.
If the project is approved Alphonse warned it will put the TNG in a position of choosing to go to court.
“To speed that up we’d go to a road block and trigger court action. Then we’re stepping into my arena and that’s the Aboriginal argument. We’ll lock that sucker up for another 20 or 30 years,” he said of the proposal.
There’s no way a project like New Prosperity will move forward without the consent of the First Nations, and that’s the message that should be sent to all industry, Alphonse added.
“If you’re going to move into our territory, work with us. We’ve got 12 other exploration companies we’re working with out in the Chilcotin.”
A big concern for Xeni Gwet’in Chief Roger William is the result of a groundwater pumping test done by Taseko in 1994 that showed high rates of water movement in the ground between Fish Lake and the proposed pit.
“The panel questioned Taseko on that 1994 drilling and sent them back to deal with that information in the Environmental Impact Statement,” William said. “There’s concern that the lake will flow underground to the proposed pit and that being the case, we really feel from the proposed tailings pond, it would be the same.”
Not only will the lake drain, but the tailings pond will drain into the lake, and that’s been a concern for William and the Tsilhqot’in for a long time, he explained.
“We are questioning that and think the panel will deal with it during the hearings.”
Battison argued Taseko has addressed the issue of the pump test already.
“The main focus of interest by a number of parties is the relationship between Fish Lake and the mining facilities that will be built,” he said.
“Taseko’s plan preserves and protects the lake and people are asking how the company is going to do that? What mitigation measures will be used to ensure the lake is protected.”
Battison said a main focus of the Environmental Impact Statement is the relationship between the pit and the lake, and the relationship between the tailings facility and the lake.
“How does the water move and in what volumes between the lake, pit and tailings pond. That’s the main thing that’s changed from the first proposal.”
William said the Tsilhqot’in Nation remains unified in its opposition to the project.
“We are a First Nations people protecting a watershed and a way of life. I would say to Canada watch out. You have a company and a government that might approve a project on the promise of jobs in an area that is so beautiful and the First People of the land still utilize it. What about your backyard Canada? What could happen here could happen in your backyard?” William said.
Williams Lake and District Chamber of Commerce president Jason Ryll welcomed the announcement that the panel hearings going ahead.
“We’re registered as an interested party and are optimistic now that the process is moving forward,” Ryll said.
“It’s important to hear all sides of the presentations and we look forward to presenting ours.”
For the last few months, the delay has caused uncertainty, he added.
“I know that the federal review panel has been asking for more information from Taseko, information that they already seem to have on hand, so it’s that kind of uncertainty we can try and put behind us now.”
Ryll is hopeful the panel will listen to all the interested parties and provide opportunity for people to present as much as possible.
Cariboo Chilcotin MLA Donna Barnett echoed Ryll saying she’s pleased the panel hearings are “finally” going to take place.
“People will be able to listen to the proposal presentation, ask questions and have their concerns heard,” she said, adding once a decision will be made the region can move on.
“We have to realize that we have to let the scientific evidence influence the decision,” Barnett said.
