Keeping Watch: Prosperity Mine

Tsilhqot'in Call on Harper to Heed the Science in Prosperity Mine Decision

2013-10-08T08:06:00.003-07:00

Will the Harper government listen to their own experts?

(From Tsilhqot'in National Government Press Release)

B.C.s Tsilhqotin Nation is calling on the Harper government to listen to its own scientists and ignore the political lobbying by Taseko Mines Ltd. (TML) and the mining industry that could undermine the Environmental Assessment process in the case of the latest bid to create a massive, but very low-grade ore mine at Teztan Biny (Fish Lake).

TML has even boasted of its lobbying success with federal Ministers, reporting that it believes the government is on side after meeting with Natural Resources Minister Joe Oliver, and has run a media campaign to discredit as misinformation concerns about its new proposal concerns that have been raised by experts from various federal and provincial ministries during the panel process.

This lobbying is particularly alarming when you combine it with the company`s mischaracterization of the scientific evidence at the environmental hearings. We are in Ottawa to make sure that everyone has their facts straight. This is a bad project that threatens our Nation and culture. Contrary to the companys claims, approval of this project would be bad news and put the government and the mining industry on a collision course with the Tsilhqotin people and First Nations from across Canada who stand by our side, said Chief Joe Alphonse, Chair of the Tsilhqotin National Government.

We are in Ottawa this week to try to make sure the government understands that the environmental and Aboriginal rights and title issues have not been solved by this new mine proposal, which is as bad, and according to the companys own prior statements, even worse than the previous one, said Chief Roger William of Xeni Gwetin First Nations Government.

We are also asking the media to look at the facts and let the public know just what it is that the government is being asked to approve an unproven and risky scientific experiment that has never been done anywhere on the planet. The potential long-term liabilities to taxpayers and First Nations are unprecedented, and there is no point pushing this unwanted and unsupportable mine over the objections of both the scientific facts and First Nations rights and Title, said Chief William.

Chief Alphonse said despite the companys lobbying - and its media campaigns to promote the mine as a major economic boon and dismiss all concerns about the project as misinformation - the facts lead to a totally opposite conclusion.

The 2010 panel report on the first proposal was described as scathing by then Environment Minister Jim Prentice. The new proposal is based on an option that both the company and environment Canada said in 2010 would be worse for the environment than that original plan, which was rejected by the government. Despite claims by the company that it has addressed all previous concerns with this new option, TMLs Environmental Impact Statement was sent back three times because of incorrect, missing, or unintelligible information.

This summers panel hearings finally had to proceed without the company providing all the information requested, and during the technical hearings the flaws and concerns about the project were highlighted by experts from several federal and provincial ministries, as well as independent experts.

For example, Natural Resources Canada advised the panel that contaminated seepage would drain from the Tailings Storage Facility to the groundwater at 11 times the rate predicted by Taseko Mines Ltd., downstream to Teztan Biny and other water bodies. Environment Canada (EC) described future water quality in Fish Lake as marginal for the protection of aquatic life even before this increased seepage is taken into account.

Another example - EC and the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) both described TMLs proposal to recirculate Teztan Biny flows as unproven, untested and unprecedented at this scale. DFO specifically predicted contamination of Teztan Biny if the mine proceeds.

These are just some of the many concerns raised by experts at the hearings, and a list of these statements, and links to where they can be found in the hearing transcripts, is provided below.

The company has also tried to imply that it has consulted with First Nations and has addressed their concerns.

Presenting us with a final decision and plan for resubmitting its mining bid is not consultation. As for its approach to First Nations, this is the same company that tried to get our culture, even our prayers, banned from these hearings, said Chief Alphonse.

There is no support for this mine from the Tsilhqotin. Every member who spoke at the community hearings spoke against the mine.

What is more, the Union of BC Indian Chiefs, the First Nations Summit, the BC Assembly of First Nations, and the National Assembly of First Nations chiefs have all passed resolutions vowing to stand with the Tsilhqotin against this project and making it clear that the governments honour and credibility is on the line with this project, which is has become a BC and national poster child for all that is wrong with mining.

The Tsilhqotin have already won recognition of their land claims and their Title and rights case will be heard by the Supreme Court of Canada next month.

Unlike the company and the mining industry, we had extremely limited opportunity to sit down and explain our position with government ministers face to face, so we are asking the media to look at the facts and ensure that the government and the public are aware of exactly what is at stake, said Chief William.

Media:
Chief Joe Alphonse 250-305-8282 Chief Roger William -250-267-6593

Links:
TML memo to federal government after meeting with NR Minister Joe Oliver:http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/business/taseko-mines-praises-ottawa-ahead-of-environmental-hearings-on-bc-mine-215423241.html?device=mobile

Backgrounder list of concerns rose by government and other experts at 21013 review panel hearings: Read 'Government experts raised red flags on proposal to build mine: summary of concerns' here - http://www.vancouversun.com/business/bc2035/Government+experts+raised+flags+proposal+build+mine/8880799/story.html

AFN Resolution opposing New Prosperity mine (Scroll to TNG resolution #29) : http://www.afn.ca/uploads/files/aga-2011-resolutions.pdf

AFN resolution Tsilhqotin Title and Rights case: http://www.afn.ca/index.php/en/news-media/latest-news/assembly-of-first-nations-expresses-full-support-for-tsilhqotin-nation

Tsilhqot’in Chiefs present to Williams Lake Council

2012-12-03T14:51:00.000-08:00

TŜILHQOT’IN NATIONAL GOVERNMENT

253 – 4^th Avenue North s Williams Lake, BC V2G 4T4 s Phone (250) 392-3918 s Fax (250) 398-5798

Media Advisory

Williams Lake, B.C. (December 3, 2012): The Tsilhqot’in Chiefs will be presenting to Williams Lake’s City Council tomorrow, Tuesday December 4^th, at 6 p.m., on their Nation’s opposition to the “new” Prosperity Mine Proposal. The Tsilhqot’in Chiefs are proud to have alongside them Grand Chief Stewart Phillip and Chief Bob Chamberlin, who along with Chief Marilyn Baptiste represent the Executive from the Union of BC Indian Chiefs.

The Tsilhqot’in will be walking to City Hall shortly before their presentation from their offices at 253 4^thAvenue North, alongside non-First Nation citizens and groups including the Council of Canadians and Fish Lake Alliance.

The presentation is being made days after the Federal Review Panel charged with assessing the impacts from Taseko Mines Ltd.’s proposed “New” Prosperity mine has issued a statement of ‘major deficiencies’ in the company’s Environmental Impact Statement.

Media Contacts:

Chief Joe Alphonse, Tribal Chair: 250-305-8282, or 250-394-4212

Chief Marilyn Baptiste, Xeni Gwet’in: 250-267-1401

J.P. Laplante

Mining, Oil and Gas Manager

Tsilhqot’in National Government

253 4^th Ave North, Wiliams Lake BC V2G 4T4

Tel: 250-392-3918

Fax: 250-398-5798

Email: jlaplante@tsilhqotin.ca

Chief Marilyn Baptiste and Chief Francis Laceese

2012-11-28T10:40:00.000-08:00

Living Democracy from the Ground Up: Part 1

Watch this new video from the Tsilhqot'in

What is at stake if we allow our voices to be silenced in decisions that affect our communities? Watch the Living Democracy from the Ground Up series, learn more & take action at: http://www.envirolawsmatter.ca

In this video, Chief Marilyn Baptiste and Chief Francis Laceese discuss their committment to preventing the "New Prosperity Mine" be built in the upper Chilko River watershed.

Taseko Prosperity Mine Not a Done Deal

2012-10-11T14:39:00.000-07:00

Chief Alphonse Sees Dim Future For Taseko's Prosperity Mine

BY CHIEF JOE ALPHONSE,

VANCOUVER SUN OCTOBER 5, 2012

Re: New Prosperity will live up to its name, Sept. 20, and responsible mining begins before opening and ends long after closure, Sept. 27

The Prosperity Mine proposal and its prospects are far from a done deal.

First, the proposal is one which the company itself, and Environment Canada, initially claimed would be worse for the environment than the original plan that was soundly rejected by the federal government in 2010.

Since then, the company has tried to revise that claim. Earlier this summer, the company submitted an environmental-impact statement (EIS) which was rejected by the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency (CEAA) and the relevant government ministries. The company received 250 criticisms dealing with major inaccuracies, omissions, failures to address issues outlined for it in February, and poor, often unreadable, drafting.

The above are all matters of verifiable public record.

Mr. Russell Hallbauer, president and CEO of Taseko Mines Ltd., says these issues have now all been addressed, but that claim has been made before and proved wrong. CEAA and other parties will review the new EIS and even if it is accepted as the basis for hearings, it will then have to stand up to public scrutiny. So will its economic claims and feasibility studies. We have analyses raising detailed specific problems with these economic reports, which at the hearings stage will not so easily be dismissed with platitudes.

Signed

Chief Joe Alphonse Tribal chair, Tsilhqot'in National Government

Alexis Creek First Nation Opposed to New Prosperity Mine

2012-10-02T09:03:00.001-07:00

Alexis Creek First Nation Press Release:

Tsilhqot’in Leaders and Communities fully opposed to “New” Prosperity Mine

Ervin Charleyboy does not speak for the Tsilhqot’in Nation

Alexis Creek BC (October 2, 2012): Today the elected Chief and Council of the Alexis Creek First Nation (“Tsi Del Del”), one of the six Tsilhqot’in communities, called on Taseko Mines Ltd. to halt its desperate tactics that are being employed to promote its 3^rd attempt to obtain federal approval for its proposed copper and gold mine at Teztan Biny (Fish Lake).

In recent interviews and news releases, Taseko Mines and the former Alexis Creek Chief Ervin Charleyboy have emphasized Charleyboy’s support for the “new” Prosperity Mine proposal. The news releases show that Taseko Mines has close ties with Charleyboy; in fact, in a press release issued by Charleyboy he praises Taseko Mine’s water management plans – plans that had yet to be publicly released or even provided to the Tsilhqot’in Chiefs.

“With all due respect to the long years of service from Ervin Charleyboy, he is neither a spokesperson nor an elected representative of the Alexis Creek First Nation or the Tsilhqot’in Nation. The Alexis Creek First Nation is opposed to the mine, and takes exception to Ervin’s attempts to portray young band members working on a fish habitat project for Ervin as a “youth committee” and an endorsement of the company’s mine proposal,” said Alexis Creek Chief Percy Guichon.

“The Tsilhqot’in people have spoken loud and clear: they do not want a project of this size, with such environmental risk and in an area as important as Fish Lake. We welcome other opportunities to develop mining projects in less sensitive areas, but the Tsilhqot’in Nation is fully opposed to this project,” said Tsilhqot’in Nation Tribal Chair Chief Joe Alphonse.

Chief Alphonse: “Ervin is free to speak his mind. He is entitled to his opinion. But he should not be confused as a spokesperson for our communities. He is not. There is overwhelming opposition in our communities to this mine, and it is shameful that the company is stooping to quoting one individual’s support in its press releases.”

Chief Guichon: “The Tsilhqot’in are participating in good faith in the federal. environmental panel review. We are confident that this new Panel will see through the company’s desperate tactics and its version of the mine already deemed worse for the environment. What is clear to us from all of this is that Taseko Mines Ltd. lacks a social license to operate, and is desperate enough to seize on individuals acting alone to advance an illusion of community support.”

Media Contacts: Chief Percy Guichon: 250-267-2507 (cell) 250-481-3335 (alternate)
Chief Joe Alphonse: 250-305-8282 (cell) 250-392-3918 (alternate)

MiningWatch Canada Flags Prosperity Mine Risks

2012-09-14T09:01:00.000-07:00

Prosperity Mine Too Risky for Investors

MiningWatch Canada today issued a statement that Taseko Mines' proposed Prosperity Mine is at too great a risk of not being approved to be a good investment.

MiningWatch Canada put forward the following points to back up its claim:

1. Taseko's New Prosperity Project continues to face major challenges in obtaining necessary environmental approvals.

2. The New Prosperity does not have and is unlikely to get a social licence to operate from the affected First Nations communities and Aboriginal governments.

3. The New Prosperity capital and operating cost estimates do not include key factors that will affect the economic viability of the project and share price volatility is likely to continue.

4. Political support from provincial and federal governments for the New Prosperity Project is uncertain.

5. The fierce opposition to this project from Aboriginal peoples and environmental organizations may result in lengthy litigation and could have implications for the future of other extraction projects in BC.

The site mentions that Taseko Mines has over 55% of its net assets listed in the Prosperity Mine project, which still faces an environmental review process that it has failed once already.

The Canadian Pension Plan holds about $4 million worth of Taseko Mines shares and MiningWatch Canada is in the process of notifying them of their analysis.

Teztan Biny Supporter Fundraising

2012-09-14T08:46:00.001-07:00

Tsilhqot'in National Government Seeks Donations

This just in from J.P. Laplante at TNG:

Dear Teztan Biny Supporters,

I’m writing to ask you to consider donating in support of the Tsilhqot’in effort to protect Teztan Biny, and to share this email and web-link with others who may be like-minded.

Last month, we were added to the “Small Change Fund”, which is an organization and website that highlights specific grassroots fundraising efforts. The full description of the project we are fundraising for can be found here: http://smallchangefund.org/projects/saving-fish-lake-from-open-pit-mining-raise-our-voices/
Through the Small Change Fund, we are fundraising for a media-training workshop to initiate a Tsilhqot’in youth film contest. We had intended to deliver this workshop at the 2012 Teztan Gathering, but due to constraints we were unable to do so. Regardless, we continue to fundraise to deliver the workshop and contest in the fall and winter. Our objective is that the videos produced by Tsilhqot’in youth can act as a means to get their voices heard on the issue of Teztan Biny/Fish Lake, as well as other important topics that face Tsilhqot’in youth today. As demonstrated at this year’s Gathering, the youth have an important and powerful role to play in protecting their own future, and you can assist by making the workshop and contest a reality. Chief Marilyn Baptiste has already donated $1000 as prize money for the contest. We now need to fundraise to deliver the workshop and the contest. We are also looking for workshop facilitators (film-makers, technicians) and volunteers to help in the organizing. My contact information is below if you have any questions. Please consider sharing this with others who may be interested in helping!
Best,

J.P. LaplanteMining, Oil and Gas Manager
Tsilhqot’in National Government
253 4^th Ave North, Wiliams Lake BC V2G 4T4
Tel: 250-392-3918Fax: 250-398-5798Email: jlaplante@tsilhqotin.ca

Taseko Mines New Prosperity Website

2012-09-14T08:41:00.000-07:00

Is Taseko Mines' New Prosperity Medium the Message?

Taseko Mines has a new website for the "New Prosperity" Mine proposal. I reached it by clicking on a Google Ad from a Google Search page.

It's green and glossy, kind of like Enbridge's Gateway Pipeline videos and websites, although they really go overboard showing scenes like this:

The Taseko Code

What I really found interesting though is in the code of the site. I know this is geeky but look at the keywords Taseko is using to attract web searchers to their site:

meta name="description" content="Taseko mines, Taseko, prosperity mine, prosperity, Aboriginal mining, Aboriginal, Gold & copper mining, Gold mining, Copper mining Gold, Copper, mining British Columbia."

Ok, it's probably easier to look at them this way:

New Prosperity's Keywords

Taseko mines,
Taseko,
prosperity mine,
prosperity,
Aboriginal mining,
Aboriginal,
Gold & copper mining,
Gold mining,
Copper mining Gold,
Copper,
mining British Columbia

Note the use of "Aboriginal" and "Aboriginal Mining". I suppose they are hoping that people searching for linkages between Aboriginal people and mining will find their site.

The site has discussions going on the mine, question and answer stuff. Below is a clip of some of the comments and responses:

The site also makes the claim that it is good for Aboriginal people:

I always find it interesting when one group claims it knows what is good for another. Commenters on the New Prosperity website state unequivocally that First Nations never even went there (ever) until the lake was stocked 20 years ago.

Everyone has a right to disagree with a mine like Taseko Mines' Prosperity project. And if it's your backyard you have even more of a say. If it's a spiritual place for you and your community, well no one can take that away or disavow it.

Taseko Mines' Shoddy Environmental Impact Statement

2012-09-05T14:12:00.000-07:00

Taseko Mines Shirking Impact Statement Requirements

Here are links to stories about Taseko Mines:

1) Peter O’Neill (Postmedia online version with more content than Van Sun story) – “BC junior miner accused of making “misleading” statement to federal agency”

Read O'Neill's story here

2) Peter O’Neill’s story in the Vancouver Sun – “Taseko Report Misled Ottawa over potential quake impact”

3) Tsilhqot’in Press Release – “Taseko Mines’ Draft Environmental Impact Statement proves issues are not being addressed”

4) Dirk Meissner in Canadian Press (printed across the country – see list below for some of the publications, including Winnepeg, Brandon, Calgary)

5) Richard Gilbert in the Journal of Commerce (July 23) – “Draft documents for billion dollar mine missing key info”

6) Sierra Club BC Blog Entry/Press Release – Fish Lake Submission Fails to Meet Guidelines (July 18, 2012)

Red Chris Mine Roadblock Set Up By Tahltans

2012-09-05T13:37:00.003-07:00

Care of J.P. LaPlante:

TAHLTANS SET UP ROADBLOCK TO OPPOSE RED CHRIS MINE

Press Release
August 30, 2012
Totogga Lake, BC

Concerned members of the Tahltan Nation have set up a road block on Highway #37, 80 km south of Dease Lake, BC at the Tatogga Lake Resort.

The Tahltan Leadership has spoken out strongly against the mine and criticized the BC mine permitting process that is viewed as corrupt. The BC Liberal Government has given free rein to mining companies leaving the environment vulnerable to contamination and disruption. Tahltans have serious concerns with the design of the tailings ponds and the potential for leakage and wide scale environmental disasters that will result should tailings leak into the environment.

Two Tahltan women Kukdookaa and Adanza’a will be at the blockade with other elders and concerned Tahltans handing out information and educating those travelling along Highway #37 about the critical issues facing the Tahltans and their homelands.

Kukdookaa is also a grandmother who believes in fighting for the rights of the Tahltan Nation and will go to any length to protect the Tahltan people, wildlife, fish, and the environment. “It is irresponsible of the BC Government to provide permits while serious issues remain unresolved with the people who occupy the area.” Wild game outfitters, resort owners and other business people also have concerns with the location of the road and the disruption to wildlife and the pristine wilderness.

The Red Chris Mine is within the territory of the Tahltan Nation who have occupied territory since time immemorial. The specific area where the Red Chris Mine is being constructed is home to many species of animals including Stone Sheep, Mountain Goat, Moose and Caribou. The Tahltans depend upon these animals for subsistence and believe that the mine will destroy the animal’s habitat and calving grounds that is sacred to the Tahltans.

At the Tahltan Central Council Annual General Assembly held in July 2012 a resolution was passed to develop a No Red Chris Campaign to oppose the Red Chris Mining Project.

Adanza’a is a 73 year old great grandmother on the blockade to protect her homeland for her grandchildren so that they can enjoy what we have today without the destruction mining will bring. She said that, “Our ancestors fought and died for our homeland to protect our way of life for us and the least we can do is fight for our rights and the rights of generations to come.

For more information contact Kukdookaa or Adanza’a at ktab777@hotmail.com or call Tatogga Resort at 250-234-3526 or call 250-771-5604

Taseko Mines’ Draft Environmental Impact Statement Does Not Address Issues

2012-09-05T08:00:00.000-07:00

TŜILHQOT’IN NATIONAL GOVERNMENT

253 – 4^th Avenue North s Williams Lake, BC V2G 4T4 s Phone (250) 392-3918 s Fax (250) 398-5798

Taseko Mines’ Draft Environmental Impact Statement proves issues are not being addressed

CEAA slams document for missing information, inaccuracies, confusing format and poor work

Williams Lake BC (July 17, 2012): A scathing government review of Taseko Mines Limited’s draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for its second attempt to get approval for its New Prosperity Mine is further proof that the company has no clear plan for this project, the Tsilhqot’in National Government said today.

The Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency (CEAA) has responded to the draft EIS with nearly 250 comments over 40 pages listing omissions, mistakes, poor figures and shoddy formatting that makes the draft EIS impossible to properly assess. The scathing response slams the draft EIS for being so incomplete on several "aspects that are central to the environmental assessment" that it was not possible to even review those sections. Other deficiencies include complete failure to address critical First Nations' concerns, assess impacts on Aboriginal rights, or consider impacts on First Nations of the certain destruction of Little Fish Lake and the Nabas region.

“This comes as no surprise to us,” said Tsilhqot’in Nation Tribal Chair Chief Joe Alphonse. “We have said all along that there was no way this plan could work. They should be embarrassed that they handed in a document like this – they are making a mockery out of the entire Environmental Assessment process as well as all other Mining Companies. They should be penalized for such flippant actions.”

“Taseko Mines Ltd. had 18 months to develop its new EIS. This is the same company that stated over and over during the original hearings that its preferred plan was environmentally superior to the other two options; that the mine could not be built without destroying Teztan Biny and then changed its tune as soon as that original plan was emphatically rejected by the Federal Government. This explains to us why they could not develop a respectable new EIS,” said Xeni Gwet’in Chief Baptiste.

Chief Baptiste added: “It is an insult to all involved that the company would present such a poorly developed and researched partial document.”

“That this is the best they could come with up with after 18 months of claiming they had all the answers simply reinforces our position from the start that this whole re-bid was a waste of everyone’s time and resources and should never have been allowed to proceed.”

The CEAA review of the company’s EIS can be viewed on the public record at http://ceaa.gc.ca/050/documents/p63928/80180E.pdf. Some sample comments are provided below.

Media Contacts:

Chief Marilyn Baptiste: 250-267-1401 (cell) 250-394-7023 (alternate)

Chief Joe Alphonse: 250-305-8282 (cell) 250-394-4212 (alternate)

Attachment - Sample comments (page numbers of table enclosed with federal comments):

There is substantial information missing from this draft EIS. [1] The quality of all figures provided in the draft EIS is very poor. [1] Key tables are referred to in the text but are not included in the Table of Contents and were not located in the document. [1]

Overall, there are information gaps on traditional knowledge, archaeological sites, and cultural and spiritual aspects. There is no substantive discussion regarding cultural resources and ceremonial sites. [1]

The draft EIS has not addressed all previously identified potential impacts to Aboriginal potential and established rights and conclusions and therefore does not include adequate information as requested by the EIS guidelines [1]

Please note that concerns have been expressed by First Nations with respect to New Prosperity, many of which are included in this document, that are still applicable concerns in this environmental assessment (e.g. Little Fish lake and Nabas area). [3]

There is insufficient information regarding proposed measures to control and collect seepage from the TSF [Tailings Storage Facility]. Until this information has been provided, the federal government will not be in a position to complete its assessment of proposed measures to control and collect seepage from the TSF. As a esult, we will not be able to complete the assessment of the potential impacts of the project on water quality in pper Fish Creek, Fish Lake, Wasp Lake and Beech Creek. [4]

It appears that no drilling has been completed to investigate the geotechnical characteristics and foundation conditions at the proposed seepage collection ponds at the TSF embankment dams. [5]

Geotechnical drilling in the area of the Tailings Storage Facility, Non-PAG Stockpile and Ore Stockpile is considered inadequate for condemnation drilling purposes. [6] It appears that no drilling has been completed within central and southern portion of the Non-PAG Stockpile and within the northern portion of the Ore Stockpile. [6]

The requirement from the EIS Guidelines to consider community and Aboriginal traditional knowledge in conducting the environmental assessment does not appear to have been considered. [7]

As required by the EIS guidelines, the draft EIS lacks information on the assessment of potential impacts from the Project to all potential or established Aboriginal rights or title. [8]

The draft EIS did not include fish habitat compensation plans. Without having fish habitat compensation plans available for review the Agency is unable to provide any advice on whether the plans contain sufficient details consistent with the EIS Guidelines. [24]

Please provide dietary data as indicated in Health Canada's letter of information deficiencies submitted to the Federal Review Panel on May 25, 2009 for the original Prosperity project. A dietary survey of people in the area was suggested by the proponent in the Prosperity EIS. However, the New Prosperity EIS does not contain information on a dietary survey. Without this information, there is no assurance that the foods included and consumption rates of those foods are representative of the First Nations that harvest country foods in the project area. [36]

Post closure risk estimates for consuming arsenic in fish exceed the acceptable thresholds identified and exceed those for the baseline scenario. [36]

Does not mention loss of Little Fish Lake (beyond the reduction of impact on archaeological sites) nor Nabas. [38]

There is no mention of loss of right to fish in Little Fish Lake and potential impacts over time to Fish Lake which is an identified concern for the TNG. [38] The EIS fails to address the potential impacts of the Project on the potential or established Aboriginal rights and title as required by the EIS Guidelines … [39]

Prosperity Mine: The More Things Change

2012-05-11T11:50:00.002-07:00

**Ten Reasons Why New Prosperity Mine Proposal Is Not Acceptable**

1. CEAA Panel Found Immitigable Impacts on Fish
The CEAA review panel process was very different from the BC EAO rubber-stamp decision. Its report found immitigable, devastating impacts to the local fish stocks and endangered grizzly populations, and to the existing and future rights of the Tsilhqot’in and its youth. Then Environment Minister Jim Prentice described the report’s findings as “scathing” and“probably the most condemning I have ever read.”

2. "New" Option Worse Than Original
The company knows its new option is worse than its first plan. TML’s V.P. Corporate Affairs, Brian Battison, was clear in his Mar. 22, 2010, opening presentation to the CEAA hearings, when he stated:“Developing Prosperity means draining Fish Lake. We wish it were otherwise. We searched hard for a different way. A way to retain the lake and have the mine. But there is no viable alternative. The lake and the deposit sit side by side. It is not possible to have one without the loss of the other.”

3. Water Quality in Fish Lake Will Share With Tailings Pond
The point was emphasised by TML’s VP of engineering, Scott Jones, who stated: “What happens to the water quality in Fish Lake, if you try and preserve that body of water with the tailings facility right up against it, is that over time the water quality in Fish Lake will become equivalent to the water quality in the pore water of the tailings facility, particularly when it’s close.”

4. Toxic Wastes Will Kill Fish Lake
This proposal does not address the issues that led to the rejection of the first bid last year. Fish Lake will be affected by the toxic waste and eventually die, and it will be surrounded by a massive open pit mine and related infrastructure for decades. The Tsilhqot’in people will not have access to their spiritual place, and the area will never be returned to the current pristine state.

It is not even new. It is “Mine Development Plan 2.” TML states on page 20 of its project submission:“Option 2 is the basis for the New Prosperity design …The concepts that lead to the configuration of MDP Option 2 have been utilized to develop the project description currently being proposed.”

5. The Panel Has Already Rejected This Taseko Mines Proposal
This option was looked at and rejected last year by the company, Environment Canada and the CEAA review panel. For example, page 65 of the review report states: “The Panel agrees with the observations made by Taseko and Environment Canada that Mine Development Plans 1 and 2 would result in greater long-term environmental risk than the preferred alternative.”

6. Review Panel Agrees New Proposal Worse For Environment
The new $300 million in proposed spending is to cover the costs of relocating mine waste a little further away. There is nothing in the ‘new’ plan to mitigate all the environmental impacts identified in the previous assessment. TML states in its economic statement: “The new development design, predicated on higher long term prices for both copper and gold, would result in a direct increase in capital costs of $200 million to purchase additional mining equipment to relocate the tailings dam and to move the mine waste around Fish Lake to new locations. This redesign also adds $100 million in direct extra operating costs over the 20-year mine life to accomplish that task.” In fact, this new spending is actually $37 million less than the company said last year it would have to spend just to go with the option that it and the review panel agreed would be worse for the environment.

7. Federal Government Would Be Disregarding Constitution
The federal government is required under the Constitution to protect First Nations, which have been found to be under serious threat in this case, and is internationally committed to do so under the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. These duties are every bit as clear regarding this resubmitted proposal.

8. Taseko Mines Would Be Proving Environmental Assessment Meaningless
Approving this mine would show the Environmental Assessment process is meaningless, and would demonstrate that governments are ignoring their obligations - as the Assembly of First Nations national chiefs-in-assembly made this crystal clear this summer in their resolution of support for the Tsilhqot’in.

9. DFO Has Already Rejected Project Numerous Times
The federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans has opposed this project since it was first raised in 1995. It soundly rejected it again last year. It has no reason to support it now. Nor does Environment Canada, which, as the CEAA report noted last year, also found option 2 to be worse than the original bid.

10. Plenty of Non-Fish Mine Proposals In The Stream Already
There are many other more worthy projects to be pursued – the vast majority of which, if not all will require working with aboriginal communities. Natural Resources Canada estimates there is $350 billion-$500 billion worth of such potential projects in Canada. Governments, industry and investors do not need to go backwards by pushing this confrontational proposal and rebuffing efforts by First Nations to find a way to create a better mining system that would benefit everyone in the long run.

JP Laplante, B.Sc., B.I.T.

Mining, Oil and Gas Manager

Tsilhqot’in National Government

253 Fourth Avenue North

Williams Lake BC V2G 4T4

Tel: 250-392-3918 (If Unanswered, Press 3, then 9)

Fax: 250-398-5798

Email: jlaplante@tsilhqotin.ca

www.tsilhqotin.ca

Toll Free: 1-877-512-2674

Thanks JP!

Will New Prosperity Review Panel Retain Credibility?

2012-05-11T09:29:00.002-07:00

Below is TNG's latest press release about the new Prosperity Review Panel

TŜILHQOT’IN NATIONAL GOVERNMENT

253 – 4^th Avenue North s Williams Lake, BC V2G 4T4 s Phone (250) 392-3918 s Fax (250) 398-5798

Tsilhqot’in confident that new Panel’s work will result in rejection of “New” Prosperity Mine

Tsilhqot’in Territory, May 11, 2012: The Tsilhqot’in Nation today reaffirms its position to the newly appointed “New” Prosperity Review Panel that the mine cannot be approved and that the entire credibility of Canada’s environmental assessment process hangs in the balance. This version of the mine was already reviewed and rejected by the previous Panel, then called “Mine Development Plan #2”, because Environment Canada and the company itself testified that it posed a higher environmental risk than the previous plan and would likely contaminate Teztan Biny (Fish Lake) over time. The mine design does not solve any of the significant impacts found by the previous Panel.

“Although the government did not appoint a First Nations member to the Panel, we recognize that three professionals have been appointed. We are confident that upon scrutiny, that the work undertaken by this new panel will completely confirmthe previous panel’s findings that this alternative version of the mine poses even greater environmental risk,” said Tsilhqot’in National Government Tribal Chair Chief Joe Alphonse, “And will mean the same devastating impacts for our culture and our Tsilhqot’in way of life”.

“We trust This Panel will undoubtedly come to understand what it would mean for our culture to have a sacred place destroyed,” said Chief Marilyn Baptiste of the Xeni Gwet’in First Nation. “Yanah Biny and Nabas – where we have homes and graves – are still threatened. Teztan Biny would be surrounded and contaminated by one of Canada’s biggest open-pit mining operations.”

Chief Alphonse: “The Tsilhqot’in have already proven our Aboriginal rights to this area in one of Canada’s longest court battles. We won’t back down. No government can stop us from reflecting on who we are and the importance that this area has for us – this isn’t residential school.”

Chief Baptiste: “We are fighting for our cultural survival. We see this as a major environmental threat to the headwaters of the Taseko Lake and River systems. At stake is the wellbeing of one of British Columbia’s salmon runs. The Tsilhqot’in have protected our headwaters and salmon for generations and we won’t stop now. Keeping our waters clean and salmon safe is for everybody, not just the Tsilhqot’in.”

The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples requires States to consult and cooperate in good faith with indigenous peoples in order to obtain their free and informed consent prior to the approval of any project affecting their lands or territories. We expect nothing less as this proposal is a potential extinguishment of our Aboriginal Rights to hunt, trap and fish in a sensitive area at the headwaters of the Taseko River.

Media Contacts: Chief Marilyn Baptiste: 250-267-1401 or 250-394-7023 Chief Joe Alphonse: 250-305-8282 or 250-394-4212

Attachment: Ten facts that show why Prosperity Mine proposal cannot be approved

TŜILHQOT’IN NATIONAL GOVERNMENT

253 – 4^th Avenue North s Williams Lake, BC V2G 4T4 s Phone (250) 392-3918 s Fax (250) 398-5798

First Nations Too New Age For Taseko Mines?

2012-05-02T08:05:00.000-07:00

Taseko Mines Claims Prayer 'Taints' Review Process

Taseko Mines president Russell Hallbauer is getting desperate. He now claims that it's not fair that First Nations get to pray and perform traditional ceremonies at mining review panels. Talk about a clash of cultures!

Mr. Hallbauer makes a lot of money promoting mines. In 2009 he made $2.255 million providing "management and administrative services" to a number of different mines, including Taseko:

Compensation for 2009

Salary $450,000.00

Bonus $0.00

Restricted stock awards $0.00

All other compensation $0.00

Option awards $ $1,356,550.00

Non-equity incentive plan compensation $225,000.00

Change in pension value and nonqualified deferred compensation earnings $223,960.00

Total Compensation $2,255,510.00

Source: Forbes.com

Hallbauer is playing the underdog card to the Federal Government which, by the way, is moving to strip federal environmental legislation that currently gets in the way of economic progress:

In a letter to federal environment minister Peter Kent, Taseko president Russell Hallbauer complained last November that the “fairness and objectivity” of that the first panel review was tainted by allowing a first nations activist to sit on the panel.

The panel gave “priority status to the interests and perspectives” of first nations by allowing aboriginal prayer ceremonies at the opening of the hearings, he wrote. And science was given short shrift when the panel allowed a group of kindergarten children to present a play “in which the children wore fish cut-outs on their heads, moved around the floor, and then all fall over simultaneously, symbolizing the death of the fish.” Globe and Mail

Just Trying to Be Helpful

Taseko Mines president Hallbauer made other helpful suggestions as well, including:

No more aboriginal members on review panels
No drumming or aboriginal prayer ceremonies
Spirituality of a place is not an aboriginal right

Hallbauer felt that allowing First Nations to be on panels, drum and be spiritual is just not cricket, and that they had the "effect of giving priority status to the interests and perspectives [of] aboriginal people".

That makes me wonder, if the people of Kamloops stood up and objected the proposed open pit just south of the city, would it be unfair to let them speak at a panel hearing in case it gave their perspectives a priority status?

I thought that was the point of speaking at the hearing, to have your voice heard. This is a democracy and the panel hearings are part of the democratic process.

Folks who live close to a proposed mine site will obviously feel different effects (effects: acid mine drainage, toxic dust, constant noise, death of a lake, loss of a spiritual place) than the folks who own the mineral claim (effects: maintain membership in Shaughnessy Golf and Country Club and summer home in Gulf Islands).

My view is that aboriginal rights and environmental protection are two basic tenets of Canadian society. The Tsilhqot'in have every right to bring their views to the table and their rights and title to the land do indeed trump the rights of other players.

Not only that, as Stephen Harper drops environmental legislation like a hot potato and David Suzuki is branded a foreign-backed terrorist, First Nations effectively become the only capable protectors of the environment.

You don't have to be rich to be powerful!

Taseko Moves to Limit First Nations Participation

2012-05-01T18:53:00.000-07:00

TŜILHQOT’IN NATIONAL GOVERNMENT

253 – 4^th Avenue North s Williams Lake, BC V2G 4T4 s Phone (250) 392-3918 s Fax (250) 398-5798

TML slammed for offensive attack on Aboriginal participation in Prosperity Mine review

Tsilhqot’in Territory, May 1, 2012: A deeply offensive letter from Taseko Mines Ltd (TML) to the Harper government, urging Environment Minister Kent to impose new limits on First Nations participation and remove key Aboriginal concerns from the review of its rebid Prosperity Mine proposal, raises fears that the company’s lobbying could reduce the federal review to a version of British Columbia’s weak “rubberstamp” process that approved TML’s first, discredited bid.

In a recently obtained Nov. 23, 2011 letter to Minister Kent, TML President and CEO Russell Hallbauer urges Minister Kent to:

· Prohibit Aboriginal prayers or ceremonies at the start of Panel hearings – even though this is a matter of basic respect by governments and tribunals when engaging with First Nations;

· Impose new limits on our communities’ ability to expressing their views, including those of our youth, whose future is at stake, and by banning videos and other commentaries; and

· Prevent the Panel from considering the spiritual importance of the area to the Tsilhqot’in people, even though this is central to our culture.

The profound spiritual importance of this area to the Tsilhqot’in people was a significant factor in the decision of the federal panel that reviewed the original Prosperity Mine proposal. That proposal was soundly rejected by the Federal Government in November 2010, in part based on permanent, high magnitude impacts on Tsilhqot’in culture and cultural heritage.

“This is a black eye to the mining industry and we hope it is not one it would endorse, but we are not surprised that Mr. Hallbauer would write such an offensive letter,” said Chief Alphonse. “We have warned over and over again that this company does not understand or respect First Nations or our issues. This letter proves, once again, that this is the wrong project, in the wrong place, by the wrong company.”

Mr. Hallbauer’s letter underscores concerns raised earlier by TML’s campaign to prevent the new Panel from deciding the significance of impacts on Aboriginal rights. The previous Panel concluded that the original Project would have significant impacts on Tsilhqot’in Aboriginal rights.

First Nations are alarmed that the draft Terms of Reference for the new Panel, which are expected to be finalized any day, would drastically reduce or even remove the new Panel’s mandate to consider impacts on Aboriginal rights.

Chief Alphonse added: “What concerns us is this letter is part of a major lobbying campaign by TML, which had three lobbyists registered in Ottawa on this file. The failure of CEAA or the government to assure us the rules of the game are not going to be changed for this second review – which should never have been granted in the first place – obviously makes us wonder if we should be worried that the fix is in.”

Grand Chief Stewart Phillip, President of the Union of BC Indian Chiefs, stated "First Nations were deeply alarmed by the Harper Government's recent announcement to eviscerate the federal Environmental Assessment process as part of their Responsible Resource Development Plan. If the draft Terms of Reference for the new Panel, which are expected to be finalized any day, drastically reduce or even remove the new Panel’s mandate to consider impacts on Aboriginal rights, it will result in greater uncertainty and intensified conflict on the land."

Chief Baptiste said: “Mr. Harper’s government lived up to its responsibility to the environment and its constitutional duty to protect First Nations rights by rejecting the first bid in 2010 and it surely has no choice but to do so again. However, it did take the unprecedented step of allowing this second kick at the can for TML, even though the new option was described by the first review panel, TML itself, and Environment Canada as posing even greater environmental risk than the original plan.

“Add to this the fact that the government is pushing through sweeping changes to the EA process in general, to theFisheries Act, and now we have this letter from TML, and yes, we are concerned,” said Chief Baptiste, “But this letter shows what we are up against. We will not be silenced and we will not back down. This government endorsed the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, and we know that all of Canada is watching what happens here”.

Link to Letter from Taseko Mines Ltd. to Minister Peter Kent:

http://www.ubcic.bc.ca/files/20111123_Hallbauer_Kent_AboriginalParticipation.pdf

Media contacts:

Chief Joe Alphonse – 250-305-8282 or 250-394-4212

Grand Chief Stewart Phillip – 250-490-5314

Chief Marilyn Baptiste – 250-267-1401 (after 12 noon, Pacific)

Pipe Up Against Enbridge | British Columbia communities and First Nations stopping the Enbridge Northern Gateway Pipeline

2012-04-26T21:58:00.001-07:00

Pipe Up Against Enbridge | British Columbia communities and First Nations stopping the Enbridge Northern Gateway Pipeline

Taseko reaches deal with B.C. first nation to conduct tests at site

2012-02-28T22:45:00.001-08:00

Taseko reaches deal with B.C. first nation to conduct tests at site

Taseko Mines and the Tsilhqot’in Nation have agreed to a compromise that will let Taseko do some work on the site of its proposed $1-billion New Prosperity mine without interference.
Last October, the province of British Columbia granted Taseko permits allowing it to carry out work on the property near Williams Lake.
The Tsilhqot’in objected to the provincial permits, saying the first nation had not been consulted or accommodated — a legal requirement — before the permits were issued

New Prosperity work program to commence February 28, 2012

2012-02-28T22:33:00.001-08:00

From PRWeb News Release:

New Prosperity work program to commence February 28, 2012New Prosperity work program to commence February 28, 2012
VANCOUVER, Feb. 27, 2012 /PRNewswire/ - Taseko Mines Limited (TSX:TKO) (NYSE: TGB) (Amex: TGB) ("Taseko" or the "Company") announces that the temporary injunction preventing the Company from undertaking routine exploration work on the New Prosperity site pending a BC Supreme Court Judicial Review, has been vacated by court order.
On February 28, 2012 Taseko will commence a reduced scope of work that will be undertaken for the sole purposes of obtaining information required for the Federal environmental assessment of the proposed New Prosperity Project. On this basis, the parties have agreed not to further pursue existing legal actions.
For further information on Taseko, please see the Company's website www.tasekomines.com.
Russell HallbauerPresident and CEO

Why New Taseko Prosperity Mine Proposal Still Bad Idea

2012-02-28T15:53:00.003-08:00

Ten facts that show why resubmitted Prosperity Mine proposal cannot be approved

1. The CEAA review panel process was very different from the BC EAO rubber-stamp decision. Its report found immitigable, devastating impacts to the local fish stocks and endangered grizzly populations, and to the existing and future rights of the Tsilhqot’in and its youth. Then Environment Minister Jim Prentice described the report’s findings as:

“scathing” and “probably the most condemning I have ever read.”

2. The company knows its new option is worse than its first plan. TML’s V.P. Corporate Affairs, Brian Battison, was clear in his Mar. 22, 2010, opening presentation to the CEAA hearings, when he stated:

“Developing Prosperity means draining Fish Lake. We wish it were otherwise. We searched hard for a different way. A way to retain the lake and have the mine. But there is no viable alternative. The lake and the deposit sit side by side. It is not possible to have one without the loss of the other.”

3. The point was emphasised by TML’s VP of engineering, Scott Jones, who stated:

“What happens to the water quality in Fish Lake, if you try and preserve that body of water with the tailings facility right up against it, is that over time the water quality in Fish Lake will become equivalent to the water quality in the pore water of the tailings facility, particularly when it’s close.”

4. This proposal does not address the issues that led to the rejection of the first bid last year. Fish Lake will be affected by the toxic waste and eventually die, and it will be surrounded by a massive open pit mine and related infrastructure for decades. The Tsilhqot’in people will not have access to their spiritual place, and the area will never be returned to the current pristine state.

It is not even new. It is “Mine Development Plan 2.” TML states on page 20 of its project submission:

“Option 2 is the basis for the New Prosperity design …The concepts that lead to the configuration of MDP Option 2 have been utilized to develop the project description currently being proposed.”

5. This option was looked at and rejected last year by the company, Environment Canada and the CEAA review panel. For example, page 65 of the review report states:

“The Panel agrees with the observations made by Taseko and Environment Canada that Mine Development Plans 1 and 2 would result in greater long-term environmental risk than the preferred alternative.”

6. The new $300 million in proposed spending is to cover the costs of relocating mine waste a little further away. There is nothing in the ‘new’ plan to mitigate all the environmental impacts identified in the previous assessment. TML states in its economic statement:

“The new development design, predicated on higher long term prices for both copper and gold, would result in a direct increase in capital costs of $200 million to purchase additional mining equipment to relocate the tailings dam and to move the mine waste around Fish Lake to new locations. This redesign also adds $100 million in direct extra operating costs over the 20-year mine life to accomplish that task.”

In fact, this new spending is actually $37 million less than the company said last year it would have to spend just to go with the option that it and the review panel agreed would be worse for the environment.

7. The federal government is required under the Constitution to protect First Nations, which have been found to be under serious threat in this case, and is internationally committed to do so under the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. These duties are every bit as clear regarding this resubmitted proposal.

8. Approving this mine would show the Environmental Assessment process is meaningless, and would demonstrate that governments are ignoring their obligations - as the Assembly of First Nations national chiefs-in-assembly made this crystal clear this summer in their resolution of support for the Tsilhqot’in.

9. The federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans has opposed this project since it was first raised in 1995. It soundly rejected it again last year. It has no reason to support it now. Nor does Environment Canada, which, as the CEAA report noted last year, also found option 2 to be worse than the original bid.

10. There are many other more worthy projects to be pursued – the vast majority of which, if not all will require working with aboriginal communities. Natural Resources Canada estimates there is $350 billion-$500 billion worth of such potential projects in Canada. Governments, industry and investors do not need to go backwards by pushing this confrontational proposal and rebuffing efforts by First Nations to find a way to create a better mining system that would benefit everyone in the long run.TŜILHQOT’IN NATIONAL GOVERNMENT

Marilyn Baptiste in Geneva to Present to UN CERD

2012-02-28T15:45:00.003-08:00

TŜILHQOT’IN NATIONAL GOVERNMENT
________________
253 – 4th Avenue North Williams Lake, BC V2G 4T4 Phone (250) 392-3918 Fax (250) 398-5798

TSILHQOT’IN NATION PRESENTS REPORT TO THE UNITED NATIONS
GENEVA, SWIZTERLAND, February 23, 2012:
Chief Marilyn Baptiste of the Xeni Gwet’in First Nations Government is in Geneva, Switzerland this week to report to the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD) 80th Session. The Tsilhqot’in Nation submitted a formal report to the CERD to highlight ongoing violations of Indigenous rights that the Tsilhqot’in experience in Canada and Chief Baptiste is in Geneva to present this to the Committee.

“The Tsilhqot’in are prepared to go to the international level to protect our Nation’s rights and title,” said Chief Joe Alphonse, Chair of the Tsilhqot’in National Government. “In the case of the rebid Prosperity Mine proposal, we feel that we’ve nearly exhausted every possible avenue to resolve this at the local level, though we will continue to take our fight to the new federal Panel review.”

Chief Baptiste expressed, “Through questions asked by committee members, issues and concerns reported by NGO’s and Aboriginal representation are being brought to international attention. Questions included asking Canada to present their justification about how they gained title to the land, what mechanisms exist in Canada to ensure fair and equal court processes when communities turn to court to protect their Aboriginal Rights and Title, and if Canada thinks that Aboriginal Title can co-exist under the current political structure.”

The Tsilhqot’in report focuses on the fight to protect Teztan Biny and its environs from the proposed resubmitted Prosperity Mine proposal, and the underlying legal regime which sees First Nations rights and title ignored and bad mining projects forced upon communities against their will.”

“This is not simply a criticism of British Columbia’s outdated laws before the United Nations. Instead, we are educating the U.N. about who we are as Tsilhqot’in, and about the values that we must protect if our culture is to thrive” said Chief Alphonse. “These values include intact lands and waters that will sustain our communities, wildlife and fish, and second, economic development that respects our priorities.”

It has been extremely frustrating to the Tsilhqot’in communities to enter a new Panel review for a version of this mine already deemed worse by the previous Panel.

Chief Baptiste expressed, “The Tsilhqot’in will continue to call on both the BC and federal governments to uphold their fiduciary duties to protect our rights and title, which means protecting Teztan Biny and Nabas from this dangerous proposal. We are also calling on the reform of BC’s outdated mining laws to be compliant with the standards found in the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, and which result in bad projects being forced upon us without our consent.”

A supporting submission on the issue of mining and FN rights in BC was also submitted by BC’s First Nations Women Advocating Responsible Mining (FNWARM), of which Chief Baptiste is a founding member.

Media Enquiries: Chief Joe Alphonse (250-305-8282); As of Feb 24th: Chief Marilyn Baptiste (250-267-1401)

TŜILHQOT’IN NATIONAL GOVERNMENT
________________

Prosperity Mine's New Challenge to Fish Lake

2011-11-14T11:25:00.000-08:00

Taseko Mines Puts New Prosperity Proposal to Federal Government

Taseko Mines has submitted a new proposal for the Fish Lake Prosperity Mine.

The "new" proposal would see a tailings pond created upstream from Teztan Biny (Fish Lake), rather than draining and filling in the lake itself.

Others have done a much better job of summarizing the risks this new proposal creates for the local ecosystem, the rivers and the people of Xeni Gwet'in. Below are a set of links to recent articles:

Why Culture Matters: Prosperity Mine's Impacts on the People and Land of the Nemaiah Valley

Mining Threat to B.C. Sacred Lake Persists

Teztan Biny Facebook Page

Fracking Poisons Aquifers

2011-03-20T12:56:00.001-07:00

URL: http://oilspillaction.com/the-fracking-war-a-fight-over...

How can a modern nation like the United States allow poisons to be pumped into aquifers?

See this Amp at http://amplify.com/u/bvi5o

Fracking Pumps Poison Into Groundwater

2011-03-20T12:55:00.001-07:00

Fracking pumps poison into the aquifers but the industry wants us to ignore that:

This is the industry’s “let’s be reasonable” talking point. It’s the industry saying it wants to dump a bunch of poison into our water. Then we say: “Hey, don’t poison our water!” And the industry responds with: “Well, let’s compromise. We’ll just dump less poison in your water.”

Fracking is FRICKING suicidal!

See this Amp at http://amplify.com/u/bvi5l

Philosophy of the Globalizing Market Economics Versus Capitalism

2011-01-05T21:25:00.001-08:00

URL: http://www.scribd.com/doc/41833059/Philosophy-of-the-Gl...

To ask hard questions such as what is wrong with the currently used Economica of Capitalism that brought the Recession of 2007-09 has been avoided for a very long time, but finally these questions must be directed and answered appropreatly if the next recession is to be avoided indeed.

See this Amp at http://amplify.com/u/bkoaa

Williams Lake Tribune - First Nations get the short end of the stick

2010-12-15T11:27:00.001-08:00

URL: http://www.bclocalnews.com/bc_cariboo/williamslaketribu...

Great letter by Ashton Cooper of Tl’etinqox to Walt Cobb, asking Cobb to quit blaming the Chilcotin people for Prosperity Mine's demise. Good reading and great letter Ashton!

See this Amp at http://amplify.com/u/igru

Salary	$450,000.00
Bonus	$0.00
Restricted stock awards	$0.00
All other compensation	$0.00
Option awards $	$1,356,550.00
Non-equity incentive plan compensation	$225,000.00
Change in pension value and nonqualified deferred compensation earnings	$223,960.00
Total Compensation	$2,255,510.00

Keeping Watch: Prosperity Mine

Tsilhqot'in Call on Harper to Heed the Science in Prosperity Mine Decision

Will the Harper government listen to their own experts?

(From Tsilhqot'in National Government Press Release)

Tsilhqot’in Chiefs present to Williams Lake Council

Chief Marilyn Baptiste and Chief Francis Laceese

Living Democracy from the Ground Up: Part 1

Taseko Prosperity Mine Not a Done Deal

Chief Alphonse Sees Dim Future For Taseko's Prosperity Mine

BY CHIEF JOE ALPHONSE,

VANCOUVER SUN OCTOBER 5, 2012

Alexis Creek First Nation Opposed to New Prosperity Mine

Alexis Creek First Nation Press Release:

Tsilhqot’in Leaders and Communities fully opposed to “New” Prosperity Mine

Ervin Charleyboy does not speak for the Tsilhqot’in Nation

MiningWatch Canada Flags Prosperity Mine Risks

Prosperity Mine Too Risky for Investors

Teztan Biny Supporter Fundraising

Tsilhqot'in National Government Seeks Donations

Taseko Mines New Prosperity Website

Is Taseko Mines' New Prosperity Medium the Message?

The Taseko Code

New Prosperity's Keywords

Taseko Mines' Shoddy Environmental Impact Statement

Taseko Mines Shirking Impact Statement Requirements

Here are links to stories about Taseko Mines:

Red Chris Mine Roadblock Set Up By Tahltans

TAHLTANS SET UP ROADBLOCK TO OPPOSE RED CHRIS MINE

Taseko Mines’ Draft Environmental Impact Statement Does Not Address Issues

Prosperity Mine: The More Things Change

Ten Reasons Why *New* Prosperity Mine Proposal Is Not Acceptable

Thanks JP!

Will New Prosperity Review Panel Retain Credibility?

First Nations Too New Age For Taseko Mines?

Taseko Mines Claims Prayer 'Taints' Review Process

Just Trying to Be Helpful

Taseko Moves to Limit First Nations Participation

Pipe Up Against Enbridge | British Columbia communities and First Nations stopping the Enbridge Northern Gateway Pipeline

Taseko reaches deal with B.C. first nation to conduct tests at site

New Prosperity work program to commence February 28, 2012

Why New Taseko Prosperity Mine Proposal Still Bad Idea

Marilyn Baptiste in Geneva to Present to UN CERD

Prosperity Mine's New Challenge to Fish Lake

Fracking Poisons Aquifers

Fracking Pumps Poison Into Groundwater

Philosophy of the Globalizing Market Economics Versus Capitalism

Williams Lake Tribune - First Nations get the short end of the stick

Tsilhqot'in Call on Harper to Heed the Science in Prosperity Mine Decision

**Ten Reasons Why New Prosperity Mine Proposal Is Not Acceptable**