Four mining associations have filed for intervener status in Taseko Mine Ltd.’s judicial review against the federal government’s review process for the New Prosperity Mine.
On April 16, the Mining Association of Canada (MAC), Mining Association of British Columbia (MABC), Mining Suppliers Association of British Columbia (MSABC) and Association of Mineral Exploration British Columbia (AMEBC) filed an affidavit making the request.
“Of concern to prospectors, mineral explorers, developers and investors, and one of the key issues before the court is that federal regulators appear to have not considered or analyzed all the facts and science regarding the tailings facility design,” states Gavin Dirom, AMEBC president and CEO, in his association’s affidavit.
Taseko’s vice-president of corporate affairs Brian Battison says the action of the mining associations speaks to the “magnitude” of the concern people have for the way the environmental assessment process was managed.
“Our position is that it was flawed and the findings were based on that process were wrong. It’s big news in the world of mining.”
Chief Joe Alphonse, Tsilhqot’in Tribal Chair, is one of the respondents in the judicial review, along with the Minister of Environment, the Attorney General of Canada, and the Tsilhqot’in National Government (TNG).
Alphonse says he is confident in TNG’s position and what the outcome will be for the court cases.
“We’ll come out with another victory regardless of how many interest groups are out there.”
Mining Watch Canada has also applied for intervener status, Tsilhqot'in National Government Mining, oil and gas manager J.P. Laplante says, adding the hearing will likely be mid-May.
Monica Lamb-Yorski is a reporter for the Williams Lake Tribune.