Decision expected soon on re-opening of Mount Polley mine
Posted June 30, 2015 2:02 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – We are days away from the province making a decision on whether to re-open the Mount Polley mine, nearly one year since a tailings pond breach sent millions of litres of waste into local rivers and streams.
At least one First Nation near the mine is concerned something like that could happen again, with the Neskonlith Indian Band suggesting the province and company aren’t taking its environmental concerns seriously enough after last year’s big spill.
“I really think it’s really appalling how we’re allowing this to happen right by freshwater bodies,” says Chief Judy Wilson. “Then the mining company isn’t even held accountable.”
Wilson suggests not enough has changed to give her confidence in the company re-opening the mine.
“I don’t feel enough has been done,” Wilson says. “Maybe on paper, but not on the ground with regard to the lake itself and the actual mining spill there.”
It’s a divisive issue, however.
The Imperial Metals owned mine is a major employer around Likely, and the United Steelworkers Union says a decision on re-opening can’t come soon enough.
