Taseko Mines Ltd. has initiated legal proceedings against individuals alleged to have impeded work at New Prosperity, the company says.
According to a news release from Taseko, on Saturday, Nov. 12 the company was "unlawfully obstructed from conducting work" on the proposed New Prosperity mine.
"Wishing to avoid confrontation, Taseko employees turned the equipment convoy around and did not pursue the work they were permitted to undertake," the release says. "As a result of this interference Taseko has today initiated legal proceedings against the individuals responsible for the obstruction and is seeking an order restraining them, or any other individuals, from unlawfully interfering with the company's lawfully approved work."
The company says Taseko applied to do this work back in May 2011 and the work was approved by the provincial government on Sept, 29, 2011.
Taseko says the work consists of test pitting and drilling. A test pit is a hole dug by a back hoe to a depth of about 10 ft. The hole is then immediately filled back in and reclaimed. Drilling consists of drilling three- to four- inch wide holes to varying depths.