The latest decision by the Federal Government on the New Prosperity Mine project comes after two decades of planning and controversy. Over the years, millions of dollars have been spent on environmental assessments.
In 1991, Taseko mines purchased an 85 square kilometer property in South Central BC in the hopes of building a billion dollar copper and gold mine.
The Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency rejected it in 2010 claiming it would destroy Fish Lake. First Nations and environmentalists celebrated the Federal government’s decision as the plan called for the draining of the lake.
In 2012, the controversial mine had another shot after significant changes were made. The company said the new proposal would cost them an extra 300 million dollars to develop a tailing pond uphill from the Fish Lake, saving the lake from being drained.
In 2013, the revised plan was once again rejected. The federal government said it would negatively impact the lake and the cultural heritage of First Nations.
After recent lobbying efforts by some BC politicians and business leaders, the billion dollar mine has been rejected for a third time.
With files from Catherine Urquhart
Comments