Latest news with #XatsullFirstNation
Global News
10-05-2025
- Politics
- Global News
Judge orders limit in Mount Polley tailings dam deposits amid court challenge
The Supreme Court in British Columbia has ordered that the Mount Polley mine limit the tailings it can deposit into its storage facility while a First Nation challenges an addition to the dam in court. The court's decision issued Thursday orders the Mount Polley Mining Corp. not to deposit mine tailings that would require the raising of the storage facility dam by four meters until July 1. The B.C. government said it approved the addition of four metres on the dam to safely manage the spring runoff, adding that the project was reviewed by technical reviews, experts and in consultation with First Nations. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy A similar storage site at the mine in B.C.'s Cariboo region collapsed in August 2014, spilling about 25 million cubic metres of water and tailings into nearby waterways in one of the worst environmental disasters in B.C. Story continues below advertisement The ruling comes after the Xatsull First Nation applied for an emergency injunction to stop the four-metre addition on the tailings dam while the court hears a judicial review of the construction's approval by the provincial government. The Xatsull First Nation says it welcomes the court's decision and will argue during a hearing in June that the limiting of tailing deposits at Mount Polley should remain in place until the judicial review has been decided. This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 9, 2025.
CBC
09-05-2025
- Politics
- CBC
B.C. judge grants injunction in legal battle over tailings dam at Mount Polley mine
The B.C. Supreme Court has ordered a pause of operations at a wastewater storage facility at the Mount Polley mine as an addition to the dam is challenged by a local First Nation. The court's decision issued Thursday orders the Mount Polley Mining Corp. not deposit mine tailings into a storage dam that is being raised before July 1. Justice Gary Weatherill has scheduled a four-day hearing starting June 24 for the case as part of the court's order on Thursday. A similar storage site at the mine in B.C.'s Cariboo region, about 370 kilometres northeast of Vancouver, collapsed in August 2014, spilling about 25 million cubic metres of water and tailings into nearby waterways in one of the worst environmental disasters in B.C. The ruling comes after the Xatsull First Nation applied for an emergency injunction to stop a four-metre addition on the tailings dam while the court hears a judicial review of the construction's approval by the provincial government. The court's decision does not include a pause on construction of the tailings storage facility. The Xatsull First Nation said it welcomes the court's decision, and will argue during the hearing next month that the pause of tailing deposits should remain in place until the judicial review has been decided. It said the decision will help ensure no further harm from increased levels of tailings deposits will be done until the judicial review is heard. "Under the circumstances, and especially given the devastating history of Mount Polley, Xatsull welcomes the court's determination," the First Nation said in a statement. Dispute over consultation process The nation said the province is at risk of losing the progress that it has made toward reconciliation because it is allowing the tailings storage facility to be raised without the legally required environmental assessment and without obtaining Xatsull's consent. The Xatsull also urged Imperial Metals, Mount Polley's parent company, and the province to "act in good faith" in strengthening their relationship with the nation in a way that "honours Xatsull's role in the territory now and for generations to come." The province and Imperial Metals have not responded to requests from The Canadian Press for comment on the latest court order. The B.C. government said it approved the addition on the dam to safely manage the spring runoff, and that the project was reviewed by technical experts and in consultation with First Nations. In its response to the Xatsull's legal challenge, the province said its ministers for mining and environment did properly consult the Xatsull on the project before approval was given. "The consultation with Xatsull undertaken by the province included engagement with the Environmental Assessment Office and with the Major Mines Office of the Ministry of Mining and Critical Minerals … and upheld honour of the Crown," its response said. "The Ministers' decision reflects the substantive consideration of Xatsull's concerns and legal position in relation to the interpretation of the statutory instruments, the process for authorizing the tailings storage facility raise, and the substantive concerns advanced concerning a heightened environmental risk from the tailings storage facility raise." The province had also argued that Mount Polley has a valid environmental assessment certificate for raising the dam and that construction on the project should not be paused during the legal challenge. "Even in [Xatsull's] materials, there is no evidence that the design of the tailings storage facility raise is not safe, nor that irreparable harm will result from its construction," the provincial response said. In its legal response, the Mount Polley Mining Corp. also argued against pausing construction on the project, voicing support for the hearing to be held at the end of June for "allowing Xatsull's concerns to be heard in full on their merits." "Construction of the tailings storage facility raise is well underway," Mount Polley's response said. "It also requires the entire construction season to complete, and even a short delay risks that the work is not complete this season." The company also said stopping operations at the mine could result in Mount Polley having to lay off about 255 unionized workers and the loss of tens of millions of dollars of business to the mine's various suppliers and vendors, ranging from corporate contractors to small family-run businesses.
Toronto Star
09-05-2025
- Politics
- Toronto Star
B.C. judge grants injunction in legal battle over tailings dam at Mount Polley mine
VANCOUVER - The Supreme Court in British Columbia has ordered a pause of operations at a wastewater storage facility at the Mount Polley mine as an addition to the dam is challenged by a local First Nation. The court's decision issued Thursday orders the Mount Polley Mining Corp. not deposit mine tailings into a storage dam that is being raised before July 1. A similar storage site at the mine in B.C.'s Cariboo region collapsed in August 2014, spilling about 25 million cubic metres of water and tailings into nearby waterways in one of the worst environmental disasters in B.C. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW The ruling comes after the Xatsull First Nation applied for an emergency injunction to stop a four-metre addition on the tailings dam while the court hears a judicial review of the construction's approval by the provincial government. The Xatsull First Nation says it welcomes the court's decision, and will argue during a hearing in June that the pause of tailing deposits should remain in place until the judicial review has been decided. The B.C. government said it approved the addition on the dam to safely manage the spring runoff, adding that the project was reviewed by technical reviews experts and in consultation with First Nations. This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 9, 2025.
Winnipeg Free Press
09-05-2025
- Politics
- Winnipeg Free Press
B.C. judge grants injunction in legal battle over tailings dam at Mount Polley mine
VANCOUVER – The Supreme Court in British Columbia has ordered a pause of operations at a wastewater storage facility at the Mount Polley mine as an addition to the dam is challenged by a local First Nation. The court's decision issued Thursday orders the Mount Polley Mining Corp. not deposit mine tailings into a storage dam that is being raised before July 1. A similar storage site at the mine in B.C.'s Cariboo region collapsed in August 2014, spilling about 25 million cubic metres of water and tailings into nearby waterways in one of the worst environmental disasters in B.C. The ruling comes after the Xatsull First Nation applied for an emergency injunction to stop a four-metre addition on the tailings dam while the court hears a judicial review of the construction's approval by the provincial government. The Xatsull First Nation says it welcomes the court's decision, and will argue during a hearing in June that the pause of tailing deposits should remain in place until the judicial review has been decided. Winnipeg Jets Game Days On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop. The B.C. government said it approved the addition on the dam to safely manage the spring runoff, adding that the project was reviewed by technical reviews experts and in consultation with First Nations. This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 9, 2025.
