Stopping the Mount Polley Mine

by Sharon Kravitz and Murray Bush / Vancouver Media Co-op

Activists in Vancouver joined other protests across BC and the continent in a national day of action called for by Secwepemc Women Warriors’ Society Thursday. The protests demanded the eviction of Imperial Metals and a stop to the reopening of the Mount Polley Mine.

Last August, Imperial Metals dumped 25 million cubic metres of toxic mine waste into the lands and waterways of the Secwepemc Peoples. The spill from a failed tailings pond has had a disastrous impact on local communities that is still spreading. The tailings have now reached the Fraser River watershed and the world’s second largest salmon spawning grounds.

The Sepwepemc say allowing Imperial Metals to reopen the Mount Polley mine would be a violation of their sovereignty and would lead to a further environmental disaster. They vow to prevent the mine from ever starting up again on their lands.

The protest was held outside the Ministry of Energy and Mines office, where the government is considering an application from Imperial Metals to reopen the mine. Friday, April 30 is the last day for public input on the application.

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