Mining Project Moves a Step Forward

Friday, January 30, 2009 10:01 AM

Williams Lake, B.C. - Taseko Mines has submitted its full environmental assessment for a proposed open-pit gold and copper mine. The Prosperity Project is located approximately 125 kilometres southwest of Williams Lake.

Brian Battison, Taseko's Vice President of Corporate Affairs, says the 3000 page document contains the scientific data, engineering, and studies on human health and ecological risk. The government now has 30 days to review the work procided by Taseko.

The company says the Prosperity Project has the potential to generate 500 direct and 1,200 indirect jobs annually, 20 years worth of economic development, and capital investment of up to $800 million over the life of the mine.

The proposed mine isn't without its critics. Concern has been expressed about the destruction of nearby Fish Lake because of its close proximity to the mine's tailings pond. Taseko admits that the lake would be compromised, but has promised to construct a deeper lake to replace the Rainbow Trout fishery lost in Fish Lake.

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Posted on Friday, January 30, 2009 10:01 AM in News by 250 News

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Comments

Posted by: DPJ on January 30 2009 10:38 AM

good compromise building a replacement lake

Posted by: Shellshadow on January 30 2009 11:32 AM

lolololol omg!! its okay to kill a lake because we MAY build another lake. WTF???? I am so discusted with the money pigs of this world.

Posted by: gamblor on January 30 2009 12:17 PM

You fish there everyday right?

Posted by: Moses on January 30 2009 12:58 PM

'I am so discusted with the money pigs of this world.'

Hey Shellshocked:

Where does the copper for the wires in your house come from? And where does the paper that you write your shopping lists on come from? And where does the electricity that powers the computer you're working on come from?

Personally I'm disgusted by the hypocrisy of people that use products derived from natural resources every day, then complain about natural resources industries.

Posted by: Dozer on January 30 2009 1:00 PM

He shellshocked without the money pigs in this world *&@holes kike you would starve...

Posted by: dan on January 30 2009 1:49 PM

Why do mining companies destroy an ecosystem for their tailing ponds, and then reconstruct a new one to replace the original?

Wouldnt it make more sense to construct a tailing pond and leave the lake intact?

Looking at Fish Lake on a map, it appears to be almost 2km at its longest point and 1km at its widest point.

Another question that comes to mind with regards to filling a lake with tailing materials: Do they block the outlet streams to ensure the contaminated waters dont reach the nearby river systems?

The Taseko river looks to be a major river in that area, and is not far from Fish Lake.

I am not saying there should be no mining. I only wonder if everything has been looked at with the intent of developing newer, more environmentally sound practices. Perhaps this is the best method, I dont know, but if anyone else has information to shed some light it would be appreciated.

Posted by: He speaks on January 30 2009 2:10 PM

Dan, you have a good point about the tailing pond. More than likely that has already been thought through by smarter men than you or me. It sounds to me that inorder for this project to go through the lake is in danger of being contaminated.

As far as shellshawdow comentary. Where does it say "May build". I read "has promised".

I do agree with Moses, we sit here ticking away at the computor not realizing what environmental crimes were commited to give us the internet and the very computer we type with. Let go green, as long as someone else makes the sacrifices.

I will respect a true environmentalist, if he grew over half of his food, recycled everything and walked or pedal biked his way to work and shopping. Otherwise your no better than me, so don't preach to me what you can't and won't do.

Posted by: northman on January 30 2009 2:22 PM

Usually they will let the open pit fill up with water as a replacement lake once the mine closes. Glacial lakes that dont have any water inlet/outlets or ones that can be blocked are prefered for holding waste rock because the risk of contaminating watersheds is low. Dumping waste rock in water prevents sulphide minerals from oxidizing and becoming acid. Constructing holding ponds are expensive and if they do fail the impacts are pretty harsh. Using lakes for waste rock sounds pretty harsh but it is the best option. The other best option is to quit consuming gold and copper.