Windspeaker Business Briefs - September

The Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency (CEAA)
has accepted Taseko Mines Limited’s project description for the proposed $1 billion New Prosperity gold-copper mine in British Columbia’s central interior. But the Tsilhqot’in National Government called on the federal government to “halt the continuous drain on everyone’s time and resources and to reject Taseko Mines Ltd’s second rebid for the Prosperity Mine project,” reads a press release.

“If the Canadian government wants to reduce its deficit, then cancel this process. It will prevent the frivolous spending of tax money consistently being wasted to review a mine that will not go through,” said Tsilhqot’in’s Tribal Chair Chief Joe Alphonse. “This bid, which was presented to the previous Expert Panel and deemed worse than the original plan, fails to address any of the environmentally scathing issues that led to the first proposal being rejected.”

“Surrounding our sacred lake with an open pit mine, preventing access to it for 33 or more years, destroying its fish spawning grounds and most likely destroying the lake later as it receives toxic tailings or the mine expands is clearly not an improvement,” said Marilyn Baptiste, Chief of Xeni Gwet’in.

There is solid, national opposition to this project from First Nations along with people from all walks of life, the Tsilhqot’in said. The Assembly of First Nations chiefs last month passed its second resolution renewing its 2010 pledge to help defend Tsilhqot’in lands against this project and cautioning the federal government against approving this project.

“It would be irresponsible if [Prime Minister Stephen] Harper’s government did not appropriately consider the environment and its constitutional and international obligations to safeguard First Nations rights,” said Chief Baptiste.

From Taseko’s perspective, the step ensures the federal environmental assessment of the project will begin on or before Nov. 7. “With this decision we have a clear view of the regulatory timeline ahead. Under a comprehensive study, which is the process we expect for New Prosperity, CEAA will have 365 days in which to complete its review and submit a final report to the federal minister of the Environment,” said Russell Hallbauer President and CEO of Taseko.

“Taseko has made significant efforts to address the concerns identified during the original federal review process. In particular, the preservation of Fish Lake, which adds $300 million in capital and operating expense to the project, is a strong example of the company’s commitment to the success of New Prosperity and to the principles of sustainable mining,” he said.

Wawatay News is reporting that the Ring of Fire office opened in Thunder Bay on Aug. 25. The office will promote the economic opportunities located within a 4,000 kilometer area of northern Ontario thought to be rich in chromite, nickel, copper, platinum, zinc, gold and diamonds. There are 35 mining companies holding 25,000 claim units in the Ring of Fire area. It could become one of the world’s largest deposits of chromite and the only one located in North America. The office will work also to facilitate the successful development of the area with the interests of both the mining industry and Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal communities being met.
“This is one of the most promising mineral development opportunities in Ontario in more than a century. All aspects of development of the Ring of Fire will require careful coordination and planning over the long term,” said Michael Gravelle, minister of northern development, mines and forestry.

Chief Larry Nooski of Nadleh Whut’en First Nation, a member of the Yinka Dene Alliance, said Enbridge’s proposed pipeline and tanker project is “dead in the water,” despite news that the company has garnered industry support. “Enbridge’s pipeline isn’t happening, period,” said Nooski. “It doesn’t matter who they get a deal with. They plan to come through our territories and we’ve already said no, and we’ll use every legal means we have to stop them. Their proposed pipeline is against our laws because we refuse to put our communities at the risk of oil spills.” Nooski said there are now more than 100 First Nations in western Canada that have said no to the project. From the Rockies to the Pacific, every mile of their pipeline and tanker route goes through a First Nation that has banned their project, he explained.
The Yinka Dene Alliance includes Nadleh Whut’en, Nak’azdli, Takla Lake, Saik’uz, and Wet’suwet’en First Nations in northern BC, which have banned the Enbridge Northern Gateway Pipelines from their territories.

Actress Tantoo Cardinal was arrested in Washington
during a sit in protesting the proposed Keystone pipeline that will carry crude oil from northern Alberta to the Gulf of Mexico.

Cardinal traveled with actress Margot Kidder, who was also arrested, to join hundreds at the event held on the sidewalk in front of the White House, hoping to influence President Barack Obama to reject the pipeline proposal. “If there was any amount of energy, and time, and money, and education spent to wind energy, solar energy, and the natural ways of living a good life, then that would be some source of satisfaction,” she said in a video on Youtube. “But the greed has not left. This that is going on right now is no different than all that has happened in the history of my people. This blind greed and meanness is what has annihilated so many nations of my people in genocide. . . This will affect your children before your grandchildren,” the 61-year-old actress said. “And the power is with the people. You nourish people’s spirit, nourish their life, and that brings us together.”