Opinion: British Columbia’s mining industry is committed to responsible practices

Has been updated: 1 1 hour ago release date: 1 1 hour ago

Unfortunately, British Columbia’s mining industry is once again faced with false and misleading claims regarding the Alaska-British Columbia cross-border region. Even though these claims have been debunked multiple times through direct letters and media reports in both Alaska and British Columbia, they persist.

Following our commentary on “Protecting Alaska’s transboundary rivers from Canadian mining pollution,” we must set the record straight and highlight our industry’s commitment to responsible mining practices and the protection of our shared watersheds. It won’t.

The claim that British Columbia’s mining laws are inadequate is a subjective opinion, not an objective truth. Indeed, over the past decade, the British Columbia government has implemented significant changes to transform the laws and regulations governing mining activities in line with global best practices. This includes a new British Columbia Mines Act, the creation of a Mine Investigation and Mine Audit Division within the Ministry of Mines, updated water quality guidelines, and continued monitoring to protect downstream communities and critical salmon habitat. This includes initiatives such as: British Columbia’s mining industry meets stringent global standards for environmental assessment, operating permits, enforcement, post-closure monitoring and reclamation.

Regarding Teck’s iron and coal mines in Elk Valley, Teck launched the Elk Valley Water Quality Plan in 2014, nearly a decade before the International Joint Commission (IJC) became involved. Teck has invested C$1.4 billion in the construction of four water treatment facilities and more than 250 water quality and biological monitoring stations in Elk Valley and Koocanusa Reservoir. These treatment plants remove 95% to 99% of selenium from 77.5 million liters of water every day. Additionally, Teck says he plans to invest up to an additional C$550 million by the end of 2024 and is committed to enhancing overall fish health and protecting the environment throughout the Elk Valley. is shown. The Elk Valley Water Quality Plan exemplifies Teck’s proactive environmental stewardship.

Contrary to unsubstantiated claims by commentators, the KSM project’s Environmental Assessment (EA) approval, following a seven-year EA process, was based on the understanding that there would be no negative impact on downstream waters, aquatic life, or surrounding communities. was given. –That’s a fact that hasn’t changed. While it is true that the KSM project received EA approval in his 2014 year, the deadline for the EA certificate is irrelevant to the discussion regarding the project’s potential impact and its development schedule. Despite discussions and evaluations of various mine plans, the KSM project remains fundamentally unchanged. All proposed plans undergo extensive review by regulators and Seabridge Gold’s Indigenous partners to ensure compliance with responsible mining practices.

The British Columbia and Alaska Monitoring Technology Working Group (TWGM), which is tasked with collecting cross-border water quality data, directly refutes unsubstantiated claims of pollution in the Unuk River. Their report says that samples taken downstream from the British Columbia-Alaska border did not exceed Alaska water quality standards, and that samples taken downstream from the British Columbia-Alaska border did not exceed Alaska water quality standards, and that samples taken downstream from the British Columbia-Alaska border did not exceed water quality standards across the entire transboundary river system of the Taku, Stikine and Unuk rivers. Aquatic conditions were found to support and maintain aquatic life. This data is also consistent with baseline water quality sampling conducted by industry partners, including Seabridge Gold, which has continuously monitored water quality and hydrological monitoring of the Unuku River since 2007. B.C.’s mining industry strongly supports ongoing monitoring efforts in these watersheds. happiness.

We value a cooperative and cooperative relationship with Alaska on issues that affect our cross-border communities. The BC Environmental Assessment Office (EAO) has already received comments and feedback from Alaska tribes, stakeholders, and U.S. federal and provincial agencies regarding potential impacts to mining projects undergoing the EA process in transboundary areas. There is. Our industry is also committed to ongoing efforts to understand and address any concerns. A notable example is Seabridge Gold, which made significant adjustments to its water management approach for the KSM project based on feedback from Alaska tribes and other stakeholders; Regulators also approve.

Despite continued misinformation about British Columbia’s mining industry, we remain committed to pursuing mining projects responsibly and in compliance with British Columbia’s and Canada’s strong mining laws . As neighbors, we also strive for a positive and cooperative relationship with the mutual goal of promoting responsible resource development by upholding the highest standards of environmental protection for current and future generations. I look forward to strengthening it.

Michael Goering is President and CEO of the British Columbia Mining Association, the voice of British Columbia’s steel, coal, metal and mineral producers, smelters and advanced development companies since 1901.

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