January 24, 2012

Environmental assessment starts for Taseko gold and copper mine in British Columbia

The Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency announced Monday it is inviting public comments on Taseko Mines Ltd.’s (TSK:TKO) New Prosperity open pit gold and copper mine in British Columbia.

On its website, Vancouver-based Taseko claims that key benefits of the mine, if approved, include a $1.03-billion increase in non-residential construction.

Taseko has held the property, about 125 kilometres southwest of Williams Lake, since 1969. The firm started exploration drilling during the 1970s and 80s. The previous owner, Phelps Dodge, conducted a small exploration drilling program in 1963-64, according to the Taseko website.

However, a previous environmental assessment found that Taseko’s plan, if approved, would adversely affected the fish habitat, navigation and the traditional use of the land and its resources by First Nations.

Taseko claims the new design preserves Fish Lake, which, under the old plan, would have been drained.

The public is invited to submit written comments until February 22, the CEAA says. CEAA has also awarded a total of $91,000 to seven applicants to support their participation in the review. The funding recipients are Federico G. Osorio, the Friends of Nemaiah Valley, MiningWatch Canada, the Share the Cariboo-Chilcotin Resources Society, the Williams Lake and District Chamber of Commerce, the Sierra Club British Columbia and the Environmental Mining Education Foundation.

DCN DIGITAL MEDIA

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