APTN National news
The Tahltan Nation in northern British Columbia has once again set up a road block to stop Imperial Metals from opening a new mine.
They fear that the Red Chris Mine threatens their territory.
Imperial Metals also owns the Mount Polley Mine which, two months ago, saw its tailings pond dam fail and release millions of cubic metres of toxic waste water.
The Red Chris mine has a similar tailings pond and the Tahltan erected a second roadblock in just a month at the entrance of the mine.
In downtown Vancouver, Imperial Metals’ head office was also hit by a rally.
The tailings dam at Red Chris was taken down as a result of the last road block and the agreement reached between Imperial Metals and the Tahltan Nation that the Tahltan would agree upon an Engineering firm to re-design the tailings, have acceptance of the new design and Imperial Metals have spent many many $ to tear down the dam that was under construction to meet everyone’s concerns. What I see here are “outside” interest groups poking their nose into Tahltan business for private agenda’s with no regard for what this Nation has agreed to. i have no argument with environmental groups in general but when they interfere with a First Nation’s direction after much heart wrenching time and effort to come together on a mutual acceptable agreement and then “outsiders” come in and create conflict among elders and families is totally unacceptable. The new Tahltan leadership has worked hard to bring everyone together on an acceptable position and now the people funded by others who live comfortable lives elsewhere and have no consideration of what constitutes harmony or a way of life can create such dissention is despicable.
Dave: I respect the rights of the Tahltan nation of individuals responsibility to make decisions about land use. Some of us ‘outsiders’ have the learned the hard way that transparency, honesty and accountability isn’t always part of deals with big business. I guess it is difficult to stand by and watch a mining company turn from one disaster to begin another project when they cannot make right the desecration they caused. I don’t think any offence is intended.