OPINION: British Columbia’s mining industry is committed to responsible practices

Unfortunately, British Columbia’s mining industry is once again facing false and misleading allegations regarding the Alaska/B.C. transboundary region. Despite debunking these claims numerous times through direct letters and media coverage in both Alaska and B.C., they persist.

We must set the record straight following the commentary “Protecting Alaska’s transboundary rivers from Canadian mine pollution,” and highlight our industry’s responsible mining practices and commitment to safeguarding our shared watersheds.

The assertion that B.C.’s mining laws are inadequate is a subjective opinion rather than an objective truth. In fact, over the past decade, the B.C. government has implemented significant changes to transform the laws and regulations governing mining activities in keeping with global best practices. This includes a new British Columbia Mines Act, establishing a Mines Investigations Unit and Mine Audits Unit within the mines ministry, updated water quality guidelines and continuous monitoring efforts to protect downstream communities and critical salmon habitat. B.C.’s mining industry meets stringent global standards for environmental assessment, operational permitting, enforcement, and post-closure monitoring and reclamation.

Regarding Teck’s steelmaking coal mines in Elk Valley, almost a decade before the involvement of the International Joint Commission (IJC), Teck launched the Elk Valley Water Quality Plan in 2014. Teck has invested CDN $1.4 billion towards the construction of four water treatment facilities and more than 250 water quality and biological monitoring stations in the Elk Valley and Koocanusa Reservoir. These treatment facilities are removing 95% to 99% of selenium from 77.5 million litres of water daily. Additionally, Teck plans to invest up to CDN $550 million more by the end of 2024, demonstrating their dedication to enhancing overall fish health and preserving the environment throughout the Elk Valley. The Elk Valley Water Quality Plan exemplifies Teck’s proactive environmental stewardship.

Contrary to the commentary’s baseless assertions, the environmental assessment (EA) approval for the KSM Project was granted, after a seven-year EA process, based on the understanding there would be no negative effects on downstream water, aquatic life, or the surrounding communities — a fact that still remains unchanged. While it is true the KSM Project received EA approvals in 2014, the age of the EA certificate is irrelevant to discussions regarding the potential impact of the project and its development timeline. Fundamentally, the KSM Project remains unchanged despite discussions and evaluations of various mine plans. All proposed plans will undergo extensive review by regulatory authorities and Seabridge Gold’s First Nations partners to ensure adherence to responsible mining practices.

The British Columbia and Alaska Technical Working Group on Monitoring (TWGM), tasked with collecting transboundary water quality data, directly contradicts the unsubstantiated claims of pollution in the Unuk River. Their report found that samples collected downstream from the British Columbia-Alaska border did not exceed Alaska water quality standards and that overall aquatic conditions in the Taku, Stikine and Unuk transboundary rivers support and sustain aquatic life. This data also aligns with baseline water quality sampling conducted by industry partners, including Seabridge Gold, which has been continuously monitoring water quality and hydrology monitoring within the Unuk River since 2007. B.C.’s mining industry strongly supports ongoing monitoring efforts in these watersheds to ensure their continued well-being.

We value our collaborative and working relationship with Alaska in matters affecting the transboundary region. The B.C. Environmental Assessment Office (EAO) already receives input and feedback about any potential impact from Alaska tribes, stakeholders and U.S. federal and state agencies for mining projects undergoing the EA process in the transboundary region. Our industry is also committed to continuous engagement to understand and address any concerns. A notable example is Seabridge Gold, which made substantial adjustments to its water management approach for the KSM Project based on feedback from Alaskan Tribes, and other stakeholders, a fact which has been acknowledged by the Alaskan regulators.

Despite the ongoing misinformation regarding B.C.’s mining industry, we remain committed to responsibly advancing mining projects that adhere to strong mining laws in British Columbia and Canada. As neighbors, we also look forward to strengthening our positive and collaborative relationship to work towards our mutual goal — fostering responsible resource development by championing the highest standards of environmental protection for present and future generations.

Michael Goehring is the president and CEO of the Mining Association of British Columbia, the voice of British Columbia’s steelmaking coal, metal and mineral producers, smelters and advanced development companies since 1901.

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