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VANCOUVER — A new environmental study into Taseko Mines Ltd. billion-dollar New Prosperity mine proposal in British Columbia says it would pose “several significant adverse environmental effects“
Taseko’s proposal received provincial approval in 2010 but the federal government rejected the original plan, which would have drained a lake of cultural significance to First Nations for use as a tailings pond.
Taseko then submitted a new plan for the site in the Chilcotin region 550 kilometres northeast of Vancouver and said it would save Fish Lake and prevent contamination from groundwater seepage from a tailings pond that it would instead locate several kilometres away.
The Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency report released Thursday said Taseko has underestimated the volume of water that would leave a tailings storage facility and there was “considerable uncertainty” regarding Taseko’s contingency plan for water treatment.
It said Taseko’s water quality goals for Fish Lake are ”not likely achievable” and, even with expensive water treatment measures, the protection of Fish Lake water quality is ”unlikely to succeed in the long term.” Moreover, said the report, the adverse effects on water quality in Fish Lake would result in a ”significant adverse effect on fish and fish habitat” in the lake.
In a statement released Friday, Taseko said it will challenge the findings after reviewing the 323-page report.
“Taseko is committed to protecting Fish Lake, and fish habitat, and we strongly disagree with the panel’s findings related to the potential impact on the water quality, fish and fish habitat of Fish Lake,” it said.
During the environmental review, which wrapped up in August, experts from Natural Resources Canada told the panel the company has used some incorrect assertions in its proposal, and John Stockner, a professor at the UBC Fisheries Centre who appeared on behalf of the Tsilhqot’in National Government, told the panel he doesn’t believe the lake has been saved.
“I kind of feel like a town crier because what I have to tell you is after considerable thought … (I am) of the firm opinion that within a decade, Fish Lake will die,” he told the panel.
The assessment also address the concerns of area First Nations people, remained opposed to the adjusted plan, believing the lake would still end up contaminated.
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