New book ‘102 Things to Do with a Hole in the Ground‘ spotlights global reclamation projects
Stories of reinvented coal mining regions, regenerated communities and rebuilt ecosystems are told in a new book published this month.
Experts from the Canadian University of Victoria have filed a complaint with British Columbia’s privacy commissioner, arguing the provincial government is breaking the law by not releasing the latest reports on Imperial Metals’ (TSX:III) Mount Polley mine.
The gold and copper operation has been grabbing headlines since the collapse of its tailings dam on Aug. 4, which sent the equivalent of 2,000 Olympic swimming pools of potentially toxic mining waste into Hazeltine Creek and Quesnel Lake.
According to Uvic’s Environmental Law Centre, B.C.’s Mines Ministry has turned down requests to release certain documents that are required to be produced under law. The authority has allegedly said that by doing so it would jeopardize the outcome of several government investigations.
Such refusal, allege the lawyers, constitutes an “apparent” breach of the information act, as the case is “a matter of clear and pressing public interest,” reads the 60-page submission.
The lawyers are also calling on the privacy commissioner to recommend reform of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act to require posting online of mining permits, orders, engineering and safety inspections and tailings storage facility reports.
In early September B.C. authorities issued a formal warning to Imperial Metals after an inspection to the Mount Polley mine found waste was still leaking from its breached tailing dam facility a month after it burst.
The company has said a clean-up plan is underway. However, experts worry with winter rains about to hit soon — and the deep-freeze of winter around the corner — the company has little time to waste.
Image from archives.
7 Comments
Daryl Croft
Recall already folks!!!!!!!!!!!!!
adanac
I thought there already was, a recall on Christy Clark?
Neither Harper nor the BC Liberals ever answer, for what they have done. We don’t expect the best from the BC Liberals….we expect the worst because, worst is all we have ever had.
Max
Uvic environmental law centre thinks they have the right to be the government. They should stop sniveling and wait for the government to do the job they’re entrusted to.
rayban
If there is found to be willful with holding of pertinent health or monetary livehood issues then the government may have to answer for that . If no such issues exist it is a waste of time to mess about with it now . If they withold important info , they will likely be brought to court . If not , we should not execute them before the trial .
Dylan E McFarlane
I think disclosing technical reports would upset companies and consultants, but it would help prevent some of the human failures which caused this accident. Transparency is key to Canada’s supposed transition towards “sustainable mining”.
Guest
Here are some more mining woes–http://www.fnwarm.com/media/Takla_Mining_Concerns_Backgrounder_Final_w_Map.pdf
reddfish
http://www.fnwarm.com/media/Takla_Mining_Concerns_Backgrounder_Final_w_Map.pdf
Some more mining woes in the interior, cut and paste to your browser.