| Abstract/Description or Keywords |
MiningWatch Canada was created in 1999 as a co-ordinated public interest response to the threats to public health, water and air quality, fish and wildlife habitat, and community interests posed by some irresponsible mineral policies and practices in Canada and around the world. It is supported by twentyseven Canadian environmental, social justice, Indigenous, and labour organisations. MiningWatch has worked on environmental and water quality assessments of dozens of mining projects, directly or in collaboration with other groups, experts and affected communities. We have been very active in trying to improve water quality law, policy, and practice, working with administrative and legislative bodies and even resorting to litigation when it proved necessary to protect the public interest and the integrity of Canadian waters. MiningWatch Canada is very concerned about Mount Polley Mining Corporation’s (MPMC) application for a long-term permit to discharge not-fully treated mine waste water into Quesnel Lake.1 We recommend that the BC Ministry of Environment (MOE): 1. reject this permit application and require MPMC to propose alternative options to its long-term water management plan, including full treatment of mine effluent and possible discharge points into less sensitive waters; 2. require a ‘dry closure’ to reduce risks and ensure long-term stability, as recommended by the Independent Expert Panel report2 on the 2014 Mount Polley dam breach and spill; 3. strengthen current MPMC’s financial securities to eliminate long-term public liability for site closure, clean-up, maintenance, and perpetual care; 4. obtain clear support and consent from all of the locally affected communities, First Nations, and organizations for a proposed long-term water management and closure plan—including proper remedies for the people that were, and still are, affected by the 2014 mine spill. This submission focuses primarily on the rationale behind our Recommendation #1. contaminants; water quality guidelines; dilution; non-degradation standard; local oppostion; consent |
