The Province has decided to not approve a mine and ancillary facilities near Smithers. An environmental assessment certificate will not be issued to Pacific Booker Minerals Incorporated (PBM) for the Morrison Copper/Gold Project.
The company proposed an open-pit copper, gold and molybdenum mine and ancillary facilities with a project footprint of 2,028 hectares and production of 30,000 tonnes per day, located approximately 65 kilometres northeast of Smithers.
The proposed mine site was located on the territory of the Lake Babine Nation and upstream of the territories of the Gitanyow and Gitxsan First Nations. A portion of the proposed transmission line was on the territory of Yekooche First Nation. PBM first applied for an environmental assessment certificate in 2010, which was refused by ministers in 2012 on the recommendation of the executive director of the Environmental Assessment Office (EAO).
Ministers determined that there is potential to affect a unique wild sockeye salmon population that contributes to the Skeena River sockeye.
The potential for long-term liability for the province and risk to the environment were not acceptable in this case, and there is insufficient data about Morrison Lake and the potential diminished long-term water quality in Morrison Lake was not an acceptable risk.
As PBM has not submitted additional information to demonstrate that risks to water quality and fish can be suitably mitigated by the Morrison Copper/Gold Project, the ministers have decided not to issue an environmental assessment certificate, according to Government of BC.
