Monday, April 06, 2009 1:45:18 PM
Heated debate at mine meeting - Taseko Mines Ltd. -
The crowd at the Taseko Mines meetings.
Joan Silver photo
http://www.bclocalnews.com/business/Heated_debate_at_mine_meeting.html
Text
By Joan Silver - 100 Mile House Free Press
Published: April 01, 2009 11:13 AM
It was billed as a public consultation but deteriorated into mud-slinging.
The environmental review of the Taseko Mines Ltd. proposal to develop an open pit gold-copper mine called Prosperity Mine 125 kilometres southwest of Williams Lake held its first meeting in 100 Mile House March 31.
The Valley Room at the Lodge was standing room only as Taseko representatives explained the project, including the possible impacts and the benefits.
During the question period, Chief Marilyn Baptiste and coun. Lois Williams of the Xeni Gwet'in First Nation addressed the crowd and Baptiste said, in her opinion, this process should not go forward the way it has.
The Tsilhqot'in Nation has filed a statement of claim in BC Supreme Court to prevent Taseko from destroying Fish Lake as part of the proposed mine.
Williams said the property is her grandfather's, Jimmy Williams, home and ranch and it's also home to 300 other band members, where they go fishing and hunting.
She said there are unique fish in Fish Lake and underground springs and she's concerned about what would go into the watershed if the mine is developed.
"I want it to stay clean 1,000 years down the road," said Williams.
"My first responsibility and duty is to the people, our title, land and our rights," said Baptiste, "Our water is our gold and fish is also part of our survival."
She said she isn't thinking just 100 years down the road and not just about a few hundred jobs for 20 years.
Baptiste and Williams made their opposition to the project perfectly clear but then Baptiste turned her attention on Lorne Doerkson, Williams Lake Tribune publisher, who supports the project.
She accused Doerkson of slanting the news with a bias against First Nations.
Doerkson was having none of that, and responded that the Tribune has always welcomed news, information and stories from First Nations.
He said he refused to be belittled and he cared about the area just as much as Baptiste did.
Audience members were obviously uncomfortable with the tone the meeting was taking and were pleased when moderator Garry Alexander, BC Environmental Assessment Office project assessment director, got the meeting back on track by asking for questions.
He said the assessment office has a duty to consult and accommodate First Nations but their agreement to the project is not required.
The next public consultations, April 1 in Williams Lake and April 2 in Alexis Creek, are expected to generate a lot more heated discussions.
http://www.bclocalnews.com/business/Heated_debate_at_mine_meeting.html
The crowd at the Taseko Mines meetings.
Joan Silver photo
http://www.bclocalnews.com/business/Heated_debate_at_mine_meeting.html
Text
By Joan Silver - 100 Mile House Free Press
Published: April 01, 2009 11:13 AM
It was billed as a public consultation but deteriorated into mud-slinging.
The environmental review of the Taseko Mines Ltd. proposal to develop an open pit gold-copper mine called Prosperity Mine 125 kilometres southwest of Williams Lake held its first meeting in 100 Mile House March 31.
The Valley Room at the Lodge was standing room only as Taseko representatives explained the project, including the possible impacts and the benefits.
During the question period, Chief Marilyn Baptiste and coun. Lois Williams of the Xeni Gwet'in First Nation addressed the crowd and Baptiste said, in her opinion, this process should not go forward the way it has.
The Tsilhqot'in Nation has filed a statement of claim in BC Supreme Court to prevent Taseko from destroying Fish Lake as part of the proposed mine.
Williams said the property is her grandfather's, Jimmy Williams, home and ranch and it's also home to 300 other band members, where they go fishing and hunting.
She said there are unique fish in Fish Lake and underground springs and she's concerned about what would go into the watershed if the mine is developed.
"I want it to stay clean 1,000 years down the road," said Williams.
"My first responsibility and duty is to the people, our title, land and our rights," said Baptiste, "Our water is our gold and fish is also part of our survival."
She said she isn't thinking just 100 years down the road and not just about a few hundred jobs for 20 years.
Baptiste and Williams made their opposition to the project perfectly clear but then Baptiste turned her attention on Lorne Doerkson, Williams Lake Tribune publisher, who supports the project.
She accused Doerkson of slanting the news with a bias against First Nations.
Doerkson was having none of that, and responded that the Tribune has always welcomed news, information and stories from First Nations.
He said he refused to be belittled and he cared about the area just as much as Baptiste did.
Audience members were obviously uncomfortable with the tone the meeting was taking and were pleased when moderator Garry Alexander, BC Environmental Assessment Office project assessment director, got the meeting back on track by asking for questions.
He said the assessment office has a duty to consult and accommodate First Nations but their agreement to the project is not required.
The next public consultations, April 1 in Williams Lake and April 2 in Alexis Creek, are expected to generate a lot more heated discussions.
http://www.bclocalnews.com/business/Heated_debate_at_mine_meeting.html
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