MiningWatch reported in early January of this year that it had been awarded $37,200 to participate in the federal environmental assessment of the Prosperity review process.
Mining watch was encouraged by the Xeni Gwet'in and Tsilhqot'in National Government to become involved and help fight the project. Their focus will be the tailings pond that would see two lakes drained and destroyed, as well as the surrounding area which has been in use for at least 7500 years.
The Xeni Gwet'in and TNG are not satisfied with the current process, especially now that the provincial government has signed off on the project.
Taseko is proposing it build a lake to "replace" Teztan Biny (Fish Lake).
In my opinion, nothing can justify the destruction of these lakes, and nothing is safe about building a holding pond for toxic waste when it sits immediately upstream of incredibly high value salmon habitat. Nothing makes the disrespect shown to First Nations people alright, especially the sort of grassroots racism you see in the Williams Lake Tribune editorials and comments sections.
Thank you Bill.. In case you aren't aware, TNG put out a news release today regarding the BCEAO rubber stamp of approval. Also for people wishing to help save the lake, they can donate at www.raventrust.com - a non-profit charitable set up to help the Tsilhqot'in with this monumental task.
ReplyDeletecheers, Susan