Even though it comes ten years after the tailings pond breach, the Tsilhqot’in Nation welcomes what they call “long overdue” charges against Mount Polley Mine.
On December tenth Imperial Metals, Mount Polley Mining Corporation, and Wood Canada were charged with alleged violations under the Federal Fisheries Act.
In a release, the TNG said the Mount Polley breach had a direct and significant negative impact on the 2014 Tsilhqot’in salmon fishery on the Fraser River.
Tribal Chair Chief Joe Alphonse stated “Many of our people have chosen not to fish in the Fraser River since the breach due to fears of contamination and we continue to push for better water treatment of effluent being pumped into the Fraser”.
The TNG said cumulative effects of multiple sources of pollution, including Gibraltar Mine’s discharge of mine tailings effluent into the Fraser River next to the Tsilqot’in community of ?Esdilagh, remain a major concern.
“In addition to the devastating impacts of the Mount Polley breach, we remain extremely concerned by the effluent from Gibraltar mines that goes into the Fraser River.” ?Esdilagh Chief Troy Baptiste stated, “The Mount Polley Breach has shown everyone that mining practices in British Columbia have a long way to go in protection of lands, waters and animals.”
The Nation says these concerns are largely unaddressed by the Province despite many years of the TNG calling for Indigenous-led monitoring, assessment and action.
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