Taseko Mines Ltd. heads into Supreme Court Wednesday requesting the two judicial reviews it has filed against the federal government be combined into one single action.
The company is seeking damages in response to the rejection of its proposed New Prosperity Mine project. After the federal government rejected the project in February, 2014, stating it was “likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects that cannot be mitigated,” the mining company filed the reviews.
It alleged government officials met with opponents of the project prior to the final decision and that the company wasn’t given an opportunity to respond information shared in the meetings. The company also claimed the federal government’s rejection of the mine was because Natural Resources Canada based its seepage rate findings on the wrong design of the tailings facility.
Since the judicial review applications were filed, however, the Tsilhqot’in have moved forward in defending their rights and title.
On Oct. 4 the Xeni Gwet’in and Yunesit’in Governments announced the creation of Dasiqox Tribal Park during the raising of a totem pole at Fish Lake.
Xeni Gwet’in Chief Roger William said the park will be designed to address outstanding issues concerning land use management.
“The Supreme Court Tsilhqot’in land title decision in June, along with the rejection of New Prosperity, demonstrates that our land ought to be protected, managed and used in a way that reflects our values,” William said. “We have a proposed boundary of the park, but we will see how it looks after communicating with residents, businesses, companies, government and our people.”
Feedback on the proposed park will be gathered up until March 31, 2015.