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October 28, 2005: B.C. aboriginal chiefs oppose mine's plan to dump waste in lake

B.C.

B.C. aboriginal chiefs oppose mine's plan to dump waste in lake

Tofino, British Columbia

Oct. 28, 2005

FIRST PERSPECTIVE

 

PRINCE GEORGE, B.C. (CP) -Aboriginal chiefs from across British Columbia have voted unanimously to oppose plans by a mining company to store waste in a northern B.C. lake.

The B.C. Assembly of First Nations has passed a resolution supporting First Nations opposing plans that are part of Northgate Mineral Corp.'s proposed $200-million gold and copper mine expansion.

The company's plan is undergoing a joint federal-provincial environmental review.

But Tl'azt'en Nation chief Edward John says there's nothing environmentally sound about destroying a pristine lake. John, who also sits on the assembly's executive, says its wrong that First Nations are being asked to prove that point.

The B.C. chiefs will be asking Assembly of First Nations national chief Phil Fontaine to bring the issue up with Prime Minister Paul Martin in their next meeting. The federal cabinet must approve any change in fish habitat before Northgate can proceed.

Northgate wants to build a second open pit and increase the size of its existing processing plant about 400 kilometres northwest of Prince George.

Northgate says disposing of mine waste in Duncan Lake is the best environmental option because it prevents oxygen from starting the acid-generating process.

The company says Duncan Lake is the only economically feasible option, with the next best alternative costing about $1 billion.

http://www.firstperspective.ca/story_2005_...

Topic(s): Fist Nations News, mining news, parks and wilderness news, Political News, Poor Performers, Water News, Wildlife News

Posted By ECOBC

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