VICTORIA, May 14, 2019 /CNW/ - As the demand for minerals mined in B.C. continues to rise, a new network of mining-affected communities, experts, and organizations from across the province join in Victoria on May 15 to launch a roadmap to help fix key mining problems in B.C. in relation to water pollution, polluter-pays principle, and respect of local community decisions. This launch coincides with B.C.'s Mining Month. It will feature stories from mining-affected community members and images of mine pollution never seen before.
What: New province-wide network proposing a roadmap to clean up mining in B.C.
When: Wednesday May 15, 10am
Where: Hotel Grand Pacific (North Pender Room, 463 Belleville St., Victoria)
Who:
- Christine McLean, Concerned Citizens of Quesnel Lake
- Cindy Charleyboy, First Nations Women Advocating Responsible Mining
- Ken Farquharson, former Skagit Environmental Endowment Commissioner
- Calvin Sandborn, University of Victoria Environmental Law Centre
- Over 30 other citizens, experts, and organizations from across the province
The Concerned Citizens of Quesnel Lake will be in the B.C. Legislature for the afternoon session. They seek government intervention to stop pollution from the Mount Polley Mine in Quesnel Lake.
Founded in May 2019, the BC Mining Law Reform Network promotes changes to mineral development laws and mining practices to ensure they are environmentally sound, do not pollute waters, respect community decisions, and account for the costs to clean up toxic mine waste sites. The network today includes nearly 30 local, provincial and national organizations from a wide range of sectors, including citizen and community groups, First Nations, experts, academics, and social justice and environmental organizations. For more information www.reformbcmining.ca (live on May 15).
SOURCE BC Mining Law Reform Network
