Public hearings begin into proposed billion-dollar open pit mine near Williams Lake

Public hearings begin today for Taseko’s proposed open pit gold and copper mine near Williams Lake.

It is the seventh largest undeveloped deposit of its kind in the world and Taseko says it will mean five and a half billion in tax revenue for B.C. alone.

Ottawa rejected it in 2010 over concerns about draining Fish Lake to create a tailings pond.

Local First Nations said the lake had cultural significance.

However, there’s a new proposal that includes an additional 300 million dollars to move the tailings pond and leave Fish Lake alone.

The project would be located about 125 kilometers southwest of Williams Lake.

Today a hundred opponents marched against the project.

They say to them, the economic benefit does not outweigh the environmental risk, and they don’t trust the new plan.

The opening of the environmental hearing was delayed because of a ceremonial entrance that the panel was forced to acknowledge.

Blue scarves were worn by a great number of other audience members and represent silent support of new prosperity.

“We as a city are supportive of this project because of the economic opportunities that it will provide for our region. It is a huge project,” Mayor of Williams Lake Kerry Cook told Global News.

Williams Lake is still pulling itself out of a severe economic downpour. They lost much of the lumber industry and Taseko’s mine represents new hope.

B.C.’s Liberal government has supported prosperity since before the first rejection.

The hearings will run another 30 days, and the panel will be revealing its decision this fall.