Joint Canada-BC Review Panel recommends rejection of Kemess North Mine

The Tse Keh Nay are celebrating the recommendation from the Joint Environmental Assessment Panel for the proposed Kemess North Mine. The Tse Keh Nay include three First Nations who are part of the larger Sekanni Nation: Takla, Tsay Keh Dene and Kwadacha. Murray Browne from Woodward & Company has been working with the Tse Keh Nay for over two years to save Amazay (Duncan Lake) from the proposed mine.

Northgate Minerals is proposing to drain Duncan Lake, build a 90-m high dam and turn the whole valley into a massive waste pit to store over 400 million tons of acid mine waste from their proposed Kemess North mine. The First Nations strongly opposed the destruction of this 6-km long pristine mountain lake which they call "Amazay". One of the meanings of Amazay is "Caribou mother", reflecting the importance of the lake valley as a caribou birthing ground. The area is also rich in fish, groundhogs, mountain goats and plants and medicines that are integral to Tse Keh Nay sustenance and culture.

The Chiefs considered boycotting the whole process because it was not set up in a way that recognized their rights and title and gave them a meaningful role in making decisions. After long discussions and legal analysis, the Chiefs decided to participate under protest and the decision paid off. Murray worked with the Tse Keh Nay to document and tell some of their history and culture relating to Amazay. This also included inviting the EA Panel to a water ceremony at Amazay and demanding that at least one Panel session be held in the communities.

Fortunately, the Panel listened carefully and agreed with the First Nations that it is too risky to destroy a lake and place 400 million tons of contaminated waste behind a 90m dam at the top of the Finlay watershed where the First Nations live, hunt, fish and carry out their culture.

After the initial celebrations, the work now shifts to making sure the governments do not ignore the recommendations of the Panel.

The Panel's report is available on the Web site of the BC Environmental Assessment Office here .

An executive summary can be found on the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency Web site here.


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