More than a hundred protesters gathered in downtown Vancouver this afternoon to voice their concerns over the proposed New Prosperity copper and gold mine as B.C. mines minster travels to Ottawa to lobby federal government to approve the project.
The gathering involving members of Tsilhqot’in First Nation began at Robson Square.
The protesters made their way onto Georgia Street, and then down Granville Street.
A police escort was present and some intersections had to be blocked to traffic during the protest.
Taseko Mines Ltd. says the proposed billion-dollar mine west of Williams Lake is one of Canada’s largest undeveloped copper-gold projects and holds significant economic value for B.C.
However, an environmental assessment report released earlier this year said the project would have “significant adverse environmental effects.”
The report says water quality, land use and fishing would all be affected.
Taseko’s original proposal was rejected by the federal environmental minister in 2010, but the company was allowed to revamp the proposal to address concerns.
It is up to the federal government now to decide whether to approve the redesigned version of the project.
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