MiningWatch Canada Files Charges Against B.C. Government and Mount Polley Mine for 2014 Tailings Pond Disaster
WILLIAMS LAKE, BC, Oct. 18, 2016 /CNW/ - MiningWatch Canada files today a private prosecution against the B.C. government and the Mount Polley Mining Corporation for violations of the federal Fisheries Act in connection with the largest mine waste disaster in Canadian history.
See the full backgrounder here: http://miningwatch.ca/sites/default/files/the_lawsuit_0.pdf
The mining watchdog claims that the massive 2014 spill was caused by the negligence of both the Province of B.C. and the Mount Polley Mining Corporation (MPMC), owned by Imperial Metals. As such, MPMC and the Province of B.C. are being charged for violating sections 35(1) and 36(3) of the Fisheries Act.
MiningWatch is taking action now because almost two and a half years after the disaster, the Crown has failed to lay charges and enforce the Fisheries Act, despite clear and ample evidence to justify proceeding.
"We are all concerned that almost 30 months later, despite clear evidence of impacts on waters, fish, and fish habitat, no sanctions and no penalties have been brought forward by any level of government," states Ugo Lapointe, Canada Program Coordinator for MiningWatch Canada. "This sends the wrong signal to the industry across the country and undermines public confidence in the capacity of our regulatory system to work effectively to protect our environment."
See more here:
http://miningwatch.ca/news/2016/10/18/mining-watchdog-files-charges-against-bc-government-and-mount-polley-mine-2014
SOURCE MiningWatch Canada
Ugo Lapointe, cell.514-708-0134
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