Tŝilhqot’in National Government Welcomes Charges Against Mount Polley Mine

Courtesy of Tŝilhqot’in National Government:

The Tŝilhqot’in National Government (TNG) welcomes the long overdue charges laid against Mount Polley Mine (TSX: III) even though the charges come ten years after the devastating tailings pond breach. The Mount Polley breach had a direct and significant negative impact on the 2014 Tŝilhqot’in salmon fishery on the ʔElhdaqox (Fraser River).

TNG maintains its position that the ongoing mine tailings effluent discharge by Mount Polley Mine into Quesnel Lake without sophisticated water treatment is an ongoing harm and an unacceptable mining practice. Cumulative effects of multiple sources of pollution, including the Gibraltar Mine’s discharge of mine tailings effluent into the ʔElhdaqox next to the Tŝilhqot’in community of ʔEsdilagh, remain a major concern. These concerns are largely unaddressed by the Province despite many years of the Tŝilhqot’in Nation calling for Indigenous-led monitoring, assessment and action. The Tŝilhqot’in have taken great care to protect the headwaters of the Tŝilhqox (Chilko River) and Dasiqox (Taseko River) salmon stocks, and are dismayed by the damage caused to the pristine headwaters of Quesnel Lake.

The Tŝilhqot’in National Government is the governing body for the Tŝilhqot’in people. The Tŝilhqot’in Nation is comprised of six communities located throughout the Tŝilhqot’in (Chilcotin) territory and is the only Nation in Canada with a court declaration of Aboriginal title (Tsilhqot’in Nation v. British Columbia)

Nits’ilʔin (Chief) Joe Alphonse, O.B.C, LL.D. (hon.)., Tribal Chair, Tŝilhqot’in National Government:

“These charges are long overdue! Instead of ensuring the right thing was done for salmon, the Province dealt with the breach by issuing more mining permits to Mount Polley. In my opinion, the Mount Polley mine disaster has had an extremely negative impact on our people’s traditional fishery on the Fraser River. Many of our people have chosen not to fish in the Fraser River since the breach due to fears of contamination and we continue to push for better water treatment of effluent being pumped into the Fraser.”