A Notice of Work Application to conduct exploratory mining near the inactive Fandora Mine in the Tranquil Inlet area of Clayoquot Sound is currently under review by the provincial government.
Clayoquot Sound is a major concern for the Wilderness Committee. For over three decades, we’ve been engaged in various public education campaigns advocating for environmental conservation and wilderness preservation in this outstanding coastal rainforest region.
The inactive Fandora Gold Mine site is in Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation territory within Clayoquot Sound. The Tla-o-qui-aht are very strongly opposed to mining permits being issued in their territory. The Tla-o-qui-aht are committed to the sustainable management of salmon, water and other vital resources in their territory, and new mining projects—including exploratory work—do not fit within their management goals. The Tla-o-qui-aht have made it clear to the province that they do not want the Fandora Mine to be re-opened and expanded, and are not satisfied with the level of consultation so far on this proposal.
Consequently, we are asking that the BC government not issue any permits to conduct mining-related work in Tla-o-qui-aht territory.
Citizens from all nations and communities have good reason to question proposed mining projects. While some projects can provide community benefits, many result in severe environmental impacts that can last for generations, sometimes causing or compounding socioeconomic or public health problems. The mining companies responsible often disappear when the mineral is gone, leaving the public to come up with the funds to repair the damage.
We have created a letter-writing tool on our website, so that you can contact BC’s Minister of Energy and Mines, the Honourable Rich Coleman, to weigh in on this proposed development. Please visit our letter-writing page now to send a message to Minister Coleman, asking him to support the Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation and refuse to issue a work permit for the inactive Fandora Gold Mine in Clayoquot Sound.
Thank you,
Torrance Coste | Vancouver Island Campaigner
Wilderness Committee
