Greetings, Friend,

Thank you for taking the time to tell the B.C. government that it’s time to reform its mining laws. It’s been a while, and we now have a new request.

We must do more to protect waters and communities from toxic mine waste.

During this COVID-19 pandemic, we are constantly managing risks, paying attention to science, and acting in the best interest of the larger community. When it comes to tailings safety, we need to do the same. We need to put safety, not costs, at the forefront of dam design and operation.

Take action to tell the B.C. government – no more toxic mine waste dams in wild salmon rivers. If you’ve already done this, THANK YOU! And please share this message with your friends.

Mining in B.C. is contaminating water and fish – with serious ongoing risks from tailings dam failures, leaks, and toxin releases. We want our rivers to remain wild and thriving now and into the future. We must do what we can to reduce threats to the wild salmon rivers that have sustained our communities and ecosystems for generations. 

Tell the B.C. government – no new mine waste dams upstream from communities or important salmon habitat. 

Remember Mount Polley? On August 4, 2014, communities around Likely and Quesnel awoke to a thunderous tailings dam breach as 24 million cubic metres of mining waste was released into nearby salmon-rich lakes and rivers of the Fraser River watershed. That was enough water and toxic material to fill nearly 9,800 Olympic-sized swimming pools. 

Tailings dams are failing with increased frequency and severity. This is why over 150 organizations and technical experts recently published “Safety First: Guidelines for Responsible Mine Tailings Management”. These measures could help ensure B.C. waters and communities are protected from more tailings disasters and pollution. There are solutions. We just need the B.C. government to act. 

Thank you for letting the government know that you value mining laws that put protection of fresh water, salmon and communities first. And thank you for helping share this message.

Sincerely, 

Nikki Skuce, Northern Confluence
– and –
Ugo Lapointe, MiningWatch Canada

for the B.C. Mining Law Reform Network

PS. The B.C. Mining Law Reform Network launched in 2019. We would like to communicate with you once every month or two with updates, events or actions. If you’re not interested in receiving these updates, please use the link below to unsubscribe. We appreciate the action you have taken!

PPS. We held a webinar on mine waste dams in July. Click here to view it.