News and event information for Williams Lake, BC - as it happens.

Submitted by the Williams Lake Chamber of Commerce

 To:            Federal Cabinet Ministers 

Re:             Prosperity Mine Project 

The Williams Lake and Cariboo region have been suffering from the economic downturn for the last few years.  We see the prospect of a mine project, in particular the Prosperity Mine with providing a huge economic boost to not only our community and region but BC and Canada. 

The Mining Industry has been as much a part of our history for decades providing many good direct and indirect jobs for us all.  Taseko/Gibraltar Mines has been an integral part of our community for many years.  Approval for the Prosperity Mine would provide 60,000 person years of employment and taxes estimated at $1.7 Billion to the Federal Government revenue and $3.4 Billion to the Province. 

Your federal departments have concluded: 

§          No negative Atmospheric effect

§          No significant Surface water hydrology, ground water effect

§          No significant Terrain and Wildlife effect

§          No significant Human Health effect

§          The Province has concluded with criteria, that the project will have significant economic benefits and Prosperity have agreed to meet all the mitigation criteria they requested. 

The opposition to the project, we believe is purely emotional and not science based.  What can we do to get a “YES” on this project?  What can the community do to state the obvious and get approval? 

If this mine is not approved it will send a strong message to potential investors that British Columbia and Canada are not open to investment.  We cannot emphasize enough that this is the wrong message for these current economic times. 

On behalf of ourselves and the community we strongly urge the federal government to consider the above in your deliberation and give this project approval.    

Regards, Walt Cobb
President - Williams Lake Chamber of Commerce

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