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BREAKING: Federal government rejects New Prosperity Mine Project

It's a no for the New Prosperity Mine Project near Williams Lake.

Angie Mindus

Staff Writer

It's a no for New Prosperity Mine.

Federal Minister of the Environment Leona Aglukkaq announced her highly anticipated decision on the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency website this evening, concluding that the gold-copper mine project at Fish Lake is likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects that cannot be mitigated.

"The Governor in Council has determined that those effects are not justified in the circumstances; therefore, the project may not proceed," the news release stated.

This is the second time the federal government has rejected the controversial project, citing significant environmental concerns.

In making its decision, the news release stated that the federal government considered the report of the independent Review Panel which conducted a review of the New Prosperity Mine project last summer, and agreed with its findings about the environmental impacts of the project.

"The Government of Canada will make decisions based on the best available scientific evidence while balancing economic and environmental considerations," said Minister Aglukkaq in the news release.

The Minister added, "The Government will continue to make responsible resource development a priority and invites the submission of another proposal that addresses the Government's concerns."