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NEWS: Review panel says Taseko submission for mine still inadequate

The Canadian Press reports that the federal environmental panel reviewing the proposed open-pit gold and copper mine near Fish Lake says Taseko Mines has still not answered the questions necessary to move to the next stage of the review, namely public hearings.

“The panel says the latest submission from Taseko failed to provide enough information on issues ranging from the project’s effects on the environment and wildlife to the food local residents eat, and it’s sent the company a long list of questions to answer.”

Late last year, the panel issued requests to Taseko for additional information on the project. In response, the panel received (the insufficient) information from the company on March 13.

This is another significant setback for the proposed mine.

Another potential barrier to the mine is an upcoming Supreme Court of Canada hearing later this year or in early 2014.

The Supreme Court will hear a case that involves a claim by the Tsilhqot’in First Nation to 4,380 square kilometres of territory west of Williams Lake. Tribal chairman Joe Alphonse highlights the case is about Tsilhqot’in ownership of the land, including the area that Taseko seeks to mine.

Vancouver-based Council of Canadians organizer Harjap Grewal says that the proposed mine threatens the lands and watersheds surrounding Teztan Biny (Fish Lake) and that the government and industry must seek Free, Prior and Informed Consent for any project proposed on the unceded territories of the Tsilhqot’in communities.

For more, please read:
UPDATE: Support the Tsilhqot’in, Stop Taseko Mines Ltd
NEWS: Williams Lake chapter report on hidden costs of Taseko mine at Fish Lake
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