https://www.theglobeandmail.com/
A B.C. mining company is seeking a court injunction after its crew was blocked from beginning work this week on a controversial open-pit mine near Fish Lake, also known as Teztan Biny.
Brian Battison, vice-president of corporate affairs for Taseko Mines Ltd., said the company has no other choice but to pursue the authoritative option after members of the Tsilhqot’in Nation blockaded access to the site on Tuesday. “What else can you do but rely on the law?” Mr. Battison said Wednesday.
The roadblock was set up roughly 80 kilometres from the site of the proposed New Prosperity copper and gold mine project, southwest of Williams Lake. When Taseko crews arrived on Tuesday, members of the Tsilhqot’in Nation told them they did not have access to the site.
A Taseko manager asked several questions, including what the company could do to help the project proceed. “I basically told them that they should have asked that question 25 years ago,” said Joe Alphonse, chief of the Tl’etinqox and the tribal chair of the Tsilhqot’in National Government (TNG).
Mr. Battison said in an interview that the geotechnical work his company is seeking to do would benefit everybody.
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