2 B.C. First Nations say government is rushing mine expansion without proper review
Global News
“We do not consent at this point. We have too much more we have to work through,” said Keith Crow, chief of Lower Similkameen on Friday.
Two First Nations in BC’s southern interior say the province is rushing a decision on a major mine expansion without giving them enough time to assess the risks.
The Upper and Lower Similkameen Indian Bands are asking the province to slow the approval of the New Ingerbelle expansion at Copper Mountain Mine, right along the Similkameen River south of Princeton.
“We do not consent at this point. We have too much more we have to work through,” said Keith Crow, chief of Lower Similkameen.
Under the expansion plan, the open pit would extend to within roughly 50 metres of the river and be dug more than 160 metres below the riverbed. If approved, it would be the first mine ever allowed to operate below the level of the Similkameen River.
The plan also calls for a new bridge for mine trucks and a 63‑metre increase to the existing tailings dams — roughly the height of a 19‑storey building.
The bands say the Ministry of Mines and Critical Minerals (MCM) ignored their input and set a Jan. 15 deadline, despite an agreement to work together.
Crow told Canada’s National Observer a compressed timeline undermines the review process and that the First Nations still lack environmental data required to make an informed decision.
“Our biggest concern is water and the size of the tailings,” Crow said. “With the expansion, their permit will increase the size of the tailings down to where it’ll be the second tallest tailing dam in the world.”
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