The federal government has abandoned an open pit coal mining project for environmental reasons, a victory for British Columbia’s biodiversity.
• Also read: Lessard-Therrien was concerned that a former mining lobbyist would succeed him
• Also read: The population rejects the Horne foundry’s proposal
“The Government of Canada has determined that the significant adverse environmental impacts of the Sukunka Coal Mine Project […]cannot be mitigated. For this reason, the project cannot proceed,” the Canadian government said in a press release on Wednesday.
British Columbia’s assessment report concluded that the project would have an adverse impact on southern mountain caribou habitat
The risk of mercury and selenium release into local waters played a role in the decision, as did the health and socioeconomic conditions of indigenous peoples.
Glencore had proposed the construction and operation of an open pit metallurgical coal mine located approximately 55 kilometers south of Chetwynd and 40 kilometers west of Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia. The project would have produced three million tons of coking coal annually for export to overseas markets.
“This decision does not prevent Glencore or other project promoters from submitting new proposals and does not preclude other potential developments,” the government said.