From Bad to Worse on Mining: Groups Urge B.C. Government to Reform Outdated Laws

VICTORIA, July 4, 2019 /CNW/ - As Taseko Mines once again attempts to force its way with an injunction to start drilling in Tŝilhqot'in ancestral territory at Fish Lake (Teztan Biny) without the consent of the Tŝilhqot'in Nation, a broad network of citizens, experts, and environmental organizations are calling for urgent reform of BC's outdated mining laws. 

The new network, launched in May 2019, is urging the B.C. government to reform the Mineral Tenure Act to respect no-go zones and decisions by local residents and First Nations, in line with best practices and international law.

Calvin Sandborn, University of Victoria Environmental Law Centre and cofounder of the B.C. Mining Law Reform Network, said, "We don't want mining claims to undermine community-based land use planning, environmental protection, and private property any longer. B.C.'s laws should require Indigenous consent and meaningful public participation in the assessment of mining activities."

Andrew Gage, West Coast Environmental Law Association, added, "BC's gold rush era mining laws, which give mining activity priority over virtually all other land uses, are out of touch with today's realities. Building a responsible, modern mining sector that has social license to thrive in BC needs to begin with updating our mining laws."

Ugo Lapointe, MiningWatch Canada: "BC is lagging behind as most major mining jurisdictions have modernized their mineral tenure regimes in the past decade. BC can learn from other jurisdictions and identify and implement best practices."

The federal government rejected Taseko's New Prosperity mine proposal twice in the past, yet the province approved it through its previous Environmental Assessment Act. The most recent exploratory permits were approved in the last days of Christy Clark's Liberal government in 2017. The current mineral tenure laws grant mining first and priority use of the land.

The groups are also concerned about Imperial Metals preparing to drill into the fragile Skagit Watershed next to Manning Park despite clear local opposition and deep concerns from our U.S. neighbours.

See full release here https://miningwatch.ca/news/2019/7/4/bad-worse-mining-groups-urge-bc-government-reform-outdated-laws

SOURCE BC Mining Law Reform Network

Calvin Sandborn, University of Victoria's Environmental Law Centre, 250-472-5248; Andrew Gage, West Coast Environmental Law Association, 250-412-9784; Nikki Skuce, Northern Confluence Initiative, 778-210-0117, Ugo Lapointe, MiningWatch Canada, 514-708-0134; Tara Scurr, Amnesty International Canada, 250-703-1141; Joe Foy, Wilderness Committee, 604-880-2580