Since Taseko Mines Ltd. recently submitted its environmental impact statement (EIS), project supporters, opponents and those who are undecided are voicing their opinions through everything from media press releases to social media postings on Facebook.
While the public is invited to submit written comments on the New Prosperity Mine project to the federal review panel, local resident Len Doucette is gathering remarks on his support of the new project through a Facebook page he created when the previous Prosperity Mine proposal was under review.
Doucette is encouraging public feedback in his ‘Say Yes to the Taseko Prosperity Mine Project’ Facebook group, which has recently grown to 350 members in favour of the new proposal.
“I’m seeing a lot more support this go-around than I did the last go-around.”
Doucette says he’s not sure if this is because of the current plan’s components for preserving Fish Lake and its watershed, or if it’s more a result of an increase in postings from people in the South Cariboo.
“The ‘wave’ is coming south now. I think the people of 100 Mile House are realizing that [the New Prosperity Mine] affects them and their livelihood just as much as it does Williams Lake.”
He explains his motivation for mustering support through Facebook is his belief the mine’s opponents get more publicity, as well as some difficulties he had in finding detailed public information.
Doucette says he attended an earlier meeting in 100 Mile House about the new mine proposal, which had a “room full of supporters,” but also “a bunch of people who really didn’t know what was going on.”
The Facebook page allows people to have “a healthy discussion without the yelling” to garner more community support for the mine, he adds.
“It’s worked really well because now people have been watching the videos and getting information right from the Facebook page.
“They’re seeing what the new project is all about, and how [Taseko is] actually going to support the watershed, and how sustainable it’s going to be.”
Doucette says the environment is also a “big concern” for him.
However, he notes the high-valued gold, copper and molybdenum are required in today’s society, and he would rather see those metals mined in British Columbia, where “better controls” exist than in other parts of the world.
“The naysayers seem to have a lot of ‘fuel in their tank’ and they make themselves heard, and [we], who support the project, just kind of sit back and wait for it to happen. We don’t step in to defend our argument.
“It’s time for the community and the working class to say, ‘Hey listen, we need the jobs, we need this thing to happen and we want it to happen’.”
Written comments can be submitted until Nov. 11 by e-mail to NewProsperityReview@ceaa-acee.gc.ca or mailed to the contact provided online at www.ceaa-acee.gc.ca.
