B.C. First Nations leaders upset after Victoria extends mine permit without consultation

Tsilhqot’in First Nation chief Joe Alphonse says it should be illegal for the provincial government to extend the permit for a controversial mining project near Williams Lake without his band’s permission.
Photograph by: NICK PROCAYLO , PNG

By Laura Kane, The Province/Canadian Press, January 16, 2015

VANCOUVER — First Nations leaders are dismayed that the British Columbia government has extended environmental assessment certificates for two controversial mine projects.

The province granted a five-year extension to a certificate that had been given to an earlier version of the New Prosperity mine near Williams Lake.

The Tulsequah Chief mine, in the province’s northwest, has been determined to have “substantially started,” meaning the certificate will remain in effect for the life of the project.

Tsilhqot’in Nation members live in the area where the New Prosperity gold and copper mine would be built. Chief Joe Alphonse says it should be illegal for the province to grant an extension without his band’s consent.

B.C. upholds certificates for controversial Prosperity, Tulsequah mines

Taku River Valley, Tlingit territory, area in which the Tulsequah Chief Mine is being established.

The Globe and Mail, Wednesday, Jan 14, 2015

The B.C. government is extending environmental assessment certificates for two controversial mine projects in the province.

The New Prosperity mine has been granted a five-year extension of its certificate, while the Tulsequah Chief Mine has been determined to have “substantially started,” allowing the certificate to remain in effect for the life of the project.