Chief Joe Alphonse (Image Credit: The Canadian Press)

By James Peters, CFJC Today

NEW PROSPERITY PROPOSAL

Tsilhqot’in Nation celebrates Supreme Court dismissal of New Prosperity mine proposal

May 14, 2020 | 11:30 AM

WILLIAMS LAKE, B.C. — The Supreme Court of Canada has delivered a death blow to the proposed New Prosperity mine in the Chilcotin south of Alexis Creek.

According to a news release from the Tsilhqot’in Nation, the high court Thursday (May 14) dismissed Taseko Mines’ appeal of the 2014 rejection of the mine proposal.

The proposed open pit gold and copper mine was first rejected in February, 2014 after a panel of experts concluded the mine would have significant negative impacts on water quality, fisheries and Tsilhqot’in heritage.

The nation says the proposed New Prosperity site, including Fish Lake, has “profound cultural importance.”

Taseko continued to appeal the decision, seeing those appeals dismissed by the Federal Court in 2017 and the Federal Court of Appeal in 2019.

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In a news release, Chief Joe Alphonse, the tribal chairman of the Tsilhqot’in National Government, said, “We are celebrating the Supreme Court of Canada’s decision today, and taking the time to reflect on the immense sacrifices made by our communities and members to finally have their voices heard and respected.”

Alphonse called on Taseko to accept the decision and move on from the mine proposal.