MEDIA RELEASE
February 28, 2014
CSTC Congratulates Tsilhqot’in Nation for Saving Teztan Biny:
Taseko Mines proposal to kill fresh water lake denied federal approval
Lheidli T’enneh Territory, Prince George, B.C. – The Carrier Sekani Tribal Council (CSTC) is pleased to learn that the federal Minister Leona Aglukkaq, Ministry of Environment and Minister responsible for the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency decided that the Taseko Mines New Prosperity Gold Copper Mine proposal is not worth the risk. In a decision released this week, the Minister concluded that the New Prosperity Mine is likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects that cannot be mitigated. The CSTC stands behind the decision of the Tsilhqot’in Nation, and other land stewards to protect valuable resources such as water from misguided proposals.
Tribal Chief Terry Teegee stated, “We’re very happy to hear that Teztan Biny (Fish Lake) will not be destroyed. We stand behind our Tsilhqot’in brothers and sisters, and countless Canadians that do not agree that fresh water should be destroyed for mine tailings.” Tribal Chief Teegee added, “While we celebrate today, we caution that the battle isn’t over yet. Taseko seems hell-bent on dragging their proposal out longer, including in a judicial review of their submission, which is currently underway.”
“Our people fought to protect Amazay Lake from a similar proposal several years ago. We’re concerned that under federal and provincial regulations and laws, mining companies are still allowed to consider using fresh water systems for their projects. Fresh water is the most important resource on the planet, but somehow Canadians are still subsidizing mining companies to use our fresh water resources.
Tribal Chief Teegee concluded, “The CSTC is joined by countless leaders and Canadians in demanding changes to how mining companies are allowed to operate within unceded First Nations lands. The Tsilhqot’in have shown that aboriginal rights, including title, are paramount in the decision making process and proponents of ill-conceived projects must concede that some developments will never be supported.”
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Media contacts: Tribal Chief Terry Teegee: Office (250) 562-6279. Cell: (250) 640-3256
CSTC Congratulates Tsilhqot’in Nation for Saving Teztan Biny: Taseko Mines proposal to kill fresh water lake denied federal approval