Northern BC Mine Gains Environmental Approval

Posted by Tad McIlwraith on February 24th, 2007 filed in Mining

Novagold’s Galore Creek mine gained environmental approval this week. The mine is located in northwestern British Columbia very close to the border with Alaska. The Tahltan Central Council is committed to the project and asserts that it will provide a large number of jobs to Tahltan people. As the development of this mine moves forward, I will be watching for signs that the broader Tahltan communities at Iskut and Telegraph Creek feel as the leadership does. (And, I’ll be curious to know if unnamed environmental groups continue to feel that the mine does not pose serious environmental risks; see below.)

Related Articles and Sources

New B.C. mine will employ 1,000 workers during construction (Vancouver Sun)
Galore gets green light (Vancouver Province)

Huge open pit mine approved (Vancouver Sun):

The project is supported by the elected leadership of the local first nation, the Tahltan, and is considered by environmental groups to present no serious environmental risks.

…

Kevin Krueger, Minister of State for Mining, described NovaGold’s relationship with the Tahltan as “a model for dealing with first nations.”

“They approached the Tahltan right from the beginning and the Tahltan are completely onside,” Krueger said. “It’s a great, mutually respectful process.”

Tahltan constitute about 50 per cent of the work force at the Eskay Creek mine located about 50 kilometres southeast of Galore Creek. Both projects are near the Alaska panhandle, north of Prince Rupert. That mine is nearing the end of its useful life, and Krueger noted that Eskay workers are interested in making the switch.

More Information

NovaGold: Galore Creek Project Receives Key Environmental Approval (Seeking Alpha): Blog has a useful summary of the relationship between the Tahltan Central Council and NovaGold. The post also indicates that the development of the Galore Creek mine site will begin in the next 30 to 90 days.

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3 Responses to “Northern BC Mine Gains Environmental Approval”

  1. FieldNotes: Notes on the Anthropology of British Columbia » Kemess Mine Struggles Against Aboriginal Interests Says:
    February 24th, 2007 at 12:46 pm

    [...] the heels of the Galore Creek mining announcement this week — and the apparent support for its development — another BC mine is facing continuing opposition. The Kemess North Mine [...]

  2. Northern Waterways » Galore Creek Mine on lower Stikine Watershed (B.C.) Says:
    February 26th, 2007 at 12:21 pm

    [...] Galore Creek Mine Update [...]

  3. FieldNotes: Notes on the Anthropology of British Columbia » Native Reaction to Mining Development in Northern BC Says:
    February 27th, 2007 at 1:08 pm

    [...] It did not take long for native reaction to the mining developments in Northwestern BC — developments which include the newly approved Galore Creek Mine. The Victoria Times Colonist reports that two Tahltan women from Iskut Village are in Victoria protesting the large number of mines proposed for their territory — and specifically for the region they call The Sacred Headwaters. Their trip to Victoria coincides with the BC Government’s Mining Day events. [...]

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