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New report tackles mining risks to environment and communities

Cleaning Up BC's Dirty Mining Industry

Hi PAOV,

When the tailings pond dam burst at the Mount Polley Mine in August 2014, it unleashed a torrent of mine waste and water. It also unleashed a torrent of widespread public concern about the increasing environmental risks and health impacts from BC’s mining industry.

Today we’re launching a new educational report that takes a deeper look at these risks, entitled Cleaning Up BC’s Dirty Mining Industry.

This publication was produced with the support of MiningWatch Canada and Clayoquot Action, and you can read the full report here.

We’re calling for British Columbia to ban the outdated and dangerous practice of holding a watery slurry of toxic mine waste behind towering earthen dams. Dams like this run the risk of failing – with disastrous consequences for our communities, livelihoods, waterways and wild salmon.

We are demanding environmentally safer mine practices and stronger enforcement, and that BC mining companies contribute to a mining clean-up fund. We want sensitive areas made off-limits to protect existing businesses and residential areas from mining’s harmful effects.

This is all common sense as far as we are concerned. BC’s provincial government must ensure that the mining industry is not creating a mess – and when it does pollute, the government must ensure that the mining industry uses its own dollars to repair the damage.

We’ve also released a video, which looks at the risks associated with mining in the Fraser River Watershed – one of the greatest salmon watersheds in the world. Watch the video here.

Please read the report and take action today by writing to BC’s Premier and Minister of Mines, demanding better practices and stronger regulations to protect the environment and communities from industrial pollution.

Write your letter now!

You can also help get the word out by passing this publication on to your friends and family! Together we can ensure that our precious waterways stay clean and healthy.

For the wild,

Joe Foy | National Campaign Director
Wilderness Committee

Joe Foy

P.S. If you’d like to help us spread the word about this campaign by distributing paper copies in your neighbourhood, please emailr0