Opponents object to exploration around New Prosperity project By Derrick Penner, Vancouver Sun November 4, 2011 3:08 AM http://www.vancouversun.com/business/Opponents+object+exploration+around+Prosperity+project/5656693/story.html Taseko Mines Ltd. has been granted permits by the province to continue exploration work around its New Prosperity mine proposal, and mine opponents are objecting. The permits, under a "notice of work" application, allow the company to build up to 23.5 kilometres of access trails, dig 59 test pits and drill some 18 geotechnical and exploratory holes, which the company - in its application document - said would disturb some 13.1 hectares of land. Taseko's initial proposal for the mine was rejected by the federal government a year ago. The permits, one from the Ministry of Energy and Mines and one from the Ministry of Forests, were issued while Taseko was waiting for the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency to make a decision on whether to proceed to a new review for a revised design of the project. Brian Battison, Taseko's vice-president of corporate affairs, said the work is being done under its existing mineral claim and lease, and will yield information that may be required in a new environmental review of its revised proposal. "It's not new, in terms of the nature of the work," he said, adding that it is similar to the exploration work that it has conducted in the region for the past 18 years. "It is needed for engineering purposes to support the new project design." Opponents, however, viewed the approval of permits for additional exploration before the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency has made its decision as provocative. "The sensible thing for both Taseko and the provincial government would be to hold back until decisions are made that meet the environmental assessment process that is in place," said George Heyman, executive director of the Sierra Club of B.C. In a statement, the Tsilhqot'in First Nation said it maintains its objection to Taseko's revised mine proposal and contended the province has not meaningfully consulted with the community over impacts on its aboriginal title as a result of the new work. depen...@vancouversun.com / Twitter.com/derrickpenner
