Mine project poses bigger environmental concern

Written by Mary MacDonald Prince George

Thursday, 29 October 2009

I attended the Mount Milligan federal environmental presentations inPrince George, and frankly, came away very concerned. The federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans conducted a "comprehensive assessment report" approving the go-ahead of the project.

On that basis, Environment Canada will recommend to Cabinet to turn fish-bearing King Richard Creek and Alpine Creek into tailings impoundment areas. Terrane Metals Corp. very recently released a feasibility study that indicated a third more gold and copper at the Mount Milligan mine site, and the government review process is not considering this recent feasibility study, nor its full potential implications (more digging, bigger pit, more tailings).

Federal fisheries has therefore reviewed and approved a smaller project than what this mining company is in fact planning. When I asked about this omission, the Terrane representative stated they would apply for a federal government amendment for the increased mining.

"In response, the fisheries representative stated there would be no triggering event to require such amendment or any further federal environmental review." Asa result, what we have here is a mine receiving government approval to proceed, the full extent of which project is not even being considered through the provincial or federal environmental assessment review process... this sets a precedent for any mining company to go through the environmental assessment processes on the pretense of developing a smaller mine, then without any kind of further review of impacts to watersheds and fish, increase operations significantly.

Members of the public have until Saturday to express concerns about conclusions,recommendations and any other aspect of the comprehensive study report for this mine can be found at MountMilliganCSR@ceaa-acee.gc.ca. Environment Canada will receive public comment about whether KingRichard Creek and Alpine Creek should be converted to "tailing impoundment areas" until Nov. 12.


Mary MacDonald
Prince George

Prince George Citizen