The mining industry is applauding the British Columbia government’s decision to fast-track permits for several projects amid the ongoing U.S. tariff threat, but research suggests economic factors have been behind long delays for many other proposals.
The Canadian PressTeck's Highland Valley Copper mine is pictured in British Columbia's interior, Sunday, March 26, 2017. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward
The B.C. government on Tuesday released a list of 18 critical mineral and energy projects, including four mines, that it said would be expedited to diversify the economy during what Premier David Eby called the “on-and-off tariff threats” from the United States. “One of the main surprising things about the study that we did that’s relevant to this fast-tracking, I think, is that almost half of the mines that were approved through environmental assessment in B.C. since 1995 haven’t been built,” Collard said.
Among the handful of mines that the study says were held up by regulation is the Red Chris copper and gold mine which opened in 2015, six years after originally hoped.
Economy Justice Mining National Politics Social Utilities
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
British Columbia Ready to Assist California in Wildfire FightBritish Columbia offers support to California as wildfires continue to rage in Metro Los Angeles. The province's Forests Minister, Ravi Parmar, expresses solidarity and stands ready to assist in any way possible.
Read more »
Remote Ultrasound System in Development for British ColumbiaResearchers in British Columbia are developing a program that would allow untrained assistants in remote areas to conduct ultrasounds under the guidance of qualified radiologists via a mixed-reality headset.
Read more »
Historic Elevator at Union Club of British Columbia Gets ReplacedThe 112-year-old elevator at the Union Club of British Columbia, known for its unique wood-panelled design and occasional malfunctions, will be replaced with a state-of-the-art system.
Read more »
Mixed Snowpack Results in British Columbia Raise Concerns About DroughtSnowpack levels are above normal in some regions of British Columbia, but below normal in others, raising concerns about potential drought conditions in the coming months.
Read more »
British Columbia Snowpack Higher Than Last Year, But Still Below AverageDespite above-average snowpack in some areas of British Columbia, including Vancouver Island and the Boundary region, the province-wide snowpack remains below normal levels, raising concerns about potential summer drought.
Read more »
Court Upholds Expansion of British Columbia Container FacilityA Federal Court judge dismissed a legal challenge by environmental groups arguing that the expansion of a container facility in British Columbia would threaten endangered killer whales and salmon. The court ruled that the federal government's approval of the project was reasonable and compliant with environmental legislation.
Read more »