GOLD-COPPER DEVELOPMENT: Prosperity project remains contentious, Taseko goes to court

BRITISH COLUMBIA - The Prosperity gold-copper project 125 km southwest of Williams Lake continues to be a source of friction between owner Taseko Mines of Vancouver and the local Tsilhqot'in Nation. Taseko filed documents in court on Monday, Nov. 14, 2011, to stop people from blocking the public road and denying access to the property.

Taseko's original application to develop the New Prosperity open pit mine and concentrator was refused by Environment Canada in November 2010 due in part to the potential destruction of Taztan Biny, commonly known as Fish Lake. The aboriginal community objected to dumping ware rock and/or tailings in a lake it considers sacred.

In June 2011, Taseko filed an amended application saying that Fish Lake will be preserved if mining is allowed to proceed, but Little Fish Lake and surrounding area may be impacted. Taseko has authorization to conduct exploration at Prosperity and to clear timber, but the Tsilhqot'in Nation says it was not consulted by the government before the permits were issued. Hence, the protests.

See Taseko's in-depth online information portal concerning the development at www.NewProsperityProject.ca.