New Prosperity Gold-Copper Mine Project - Environmental Assessment Decision

OTTAWA, Feb. 26, 2014 /CNW/ - The Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of the Environment and Minister responsible for the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency, today issued a decision statement under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, 2012 for the proposed New Prosperity Gold Copper Mine project in British Columbia.

The Minister of the Environment has concluded that the New Prosperity Mine project is likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects that cannot be mitigated.  The Governor in Council has determined that those effects are not justified in the circumstances; therefore, the project may not proceed.

In making its decision, the federal government considered the report of the independent Review Panel which conducted a rigorous review of the New Prosperity Mine project, and agreed with its conclusions about the environmental impacts of the project.

Quick Facts

• Environment Minister Leona Aglukkaq announced today that the New Prosperity Mine project is not authorized to proceed.
• The EA Decision Statement and a Backgrounder, as well as information on the environmental assessment of the project are available at ceaa.gc.ca

Quotes

"The Government of Canada will make decisions based on the best available scientific evidence while balancing economic and environmental considerations," said Minister Aglukkaq.  The Minister added, "The Government will continue to make responsible resource development a priority and invites the submission of another proposal that addresses the Government's concerns."

Associated Links

• Proposed New Prosperity project (Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency)
• Responsible Resource Development (Canada's Economic Action Plan)

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Backgrounder

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PROPOSED NEW PROSPERITY GOLD-COPPER MINE PROJECT

The Project

Taseko Mines Ltd. proposed the construction and operation of a large open pit gold-copper mine development, approximately 125 km southwest of Williams Lake, B.C.

The Review Process - New Prosperity Project (2013)

The Review Panel, Bill Ross (Panel Chair), George Kupfer and Ron Smyth (Members) was appointed in May 2012 by the Minister of the Environment to conduct an assessment of the New Prosperity project. In addition to written submissions, a public hearing permitted the Panel to receive and question information and views provided by the participants.  The Panel held a public hearing from July 22 to August 23, 2013 in the project area. Participants who provided submissions or made presentations to the Panel included the proponent, First Nations, federal, provincial and local governments, environmental groups, individuals and organizations.  The Panel released its report on October 31, 2013.

The Review Panel in its report concluded that the New Prosperity Mine is likely to cause:

• significant adverse effects on water quality and fish and fish habitat;
• significant adverse effects on the current use of lands and resources for traditional purposes by certain Aboriginal groups, on their cultural heritage and on their archeological and historical resources;
• significant adverse effects on wetland and riparian (interface between land and a river or stream) ecosystems; and
• significant adverse cumulative effects on the regional grizzly and moose populations, unless necessary mitigation measures are effectively implemented.

The Panel's mandate is governed by the requirements of the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act 2012 and the Panel's Terms of Reference.

Environmental assessment documents for the New Prosperity project are available in the Canadian Environmental Assessment Registry at www.ceaa.gc.ca.

SOURCE: Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency

For further information:

Jennifer Kennedy
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of the Environment
Telephone: [phone]
[email protected]

Lucille Jamault
Communications
Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency
Telephone: [phone]
[email protected]