I was shocked and saddened to learn that the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency has agreed to Taseko Mines Ltd.'s demand for a new environmental review of its proposed "New Prosperity" gold and copper mine located west of Williams Lake BC in the heart of Tsilhqot'in Nation territory. See TV news story.

This decision puts Fish Lake and the surrounding lands and waters once again at risk from being poisoned by mine waste from the proposed open pit mine.

We are going to fight once more to save Fish Lake – and we along with our First Nations and environmental group partners aim to win. In the long run this will further tarnish the reputation of the Canadian mining industry as a group that doesn’t give a hoot about protecting the environment or about human rights, whether it be here or abroad.

The New Prosperity Mine proposal is as environmentally toxic as the old Properity Mine proposal that was rejected last year and called by Canada’s Environment Minister one of the worst proposed projects he had ever seen. The request for a new environmental review should have been denied, especially in the face of the Tsilhqot’in Nation’s clear opposition of the project – plain and simple. This will cast a very dark pall over the entire mining industry that will take years to clear – if it ever clears.

The mining company has said that they will begin more drilling and road building around Fish Lake very soon. The Tsilhqot’in Nation oppose this. The Wilderness Committee has pledged to support the Tsilhqot’in Nation in the defence of their lands and waters from despoilment by Taseko Mines Ltd.

This is a fight we've won once, but now we will have to dig deep to win it once and for all. We want to be prepared to go all out to save Fish Lake.

If you are able to send a donation to help support our work it would be very much appreciated. Any amount would make a very big difference.

Thanks!

Joe Foy | National Campaign Director
Wilderness Committee