"‘A slap in the face’: At private meeting, concerns swirl about Copper Mountain Mine’s consultation process" 18 December 2024

... The co-owners of the Copper Mountain Mine struggled to earn the trust and approval of many sməqmíx people during a pitch for the proposed New Ingerbelle Pit project, with one community member calling the mining company’s consultation process “a slap in the face.”

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Although LSIB, USIB and numerous conservation groups have all called on “B.C.” to order an environmental assessment for the mine expansion — citing concerns about its size, towering tailings dam, and proximity to the Similkameen River — the province decided last year that no review is required.

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“There isn’t a lot of trust — do you want to build trust?” one community member asked Hudbay staff. “One way to do that is to ignore what the government is saying and do the environmental assessment. At least give us some sort of peace of mind.”