A one year permit to increase the discharge of water from Gibraltar’s tailings storage facility into the Fraser River by 50% has been approved.
In an email Friday, the Ministry of Environment confirms that approval was given by a Ministry Statutory Decision Maker who took into account results from a technical review as well as comments and requests submitted during the First Nation consultation process.
As part of the permit’s conditions, the mine must implement an environmental effects monitoring program which includes the sampling of water upstream from the discharge and sampling of fish tissue, as well as informing local first nations whenever the increased discharge is initiated as well when it is reduced or suspended.
The Ministry says another application must be submitted by Taseko should they want to make the increased discharge rate permanent.
All mining operations, according to Taseko’s Vice President of Corporate Affairs, Brian Battison have been asked by the Ministry to take steps to minimize their water storage in light of last year’s tailings pond breach at Mt Polley.
Taseko was unavailable for comment.