Will we finally receive the permit: WHY and WHY NOT?These are the pro and con as I see it. Please provide feedback and post your own opinions, especially if you feel I left something out that is significant.
YES to permit:
1- Rightly or wrongly, LBN have been the main opposition.
..LBN did sign an MOU in 2012
..LBN did sign the LRMP in 2007 after 4 or 5 years of talks/negotiations with the provincial government. LRMP shows that the area near the mine is to be used for resourse development such as mining, logging etc.
..LBN did sign an agreement in 2018 or 2019 that defined the location of reserve land and crown land etc. and there was no reserve land around Morrison lake.
.. Summer 2021 UNDRIP or UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigineous Peoples Act was passed. My understanding is that it requires both sides to rely on science, which makes our case for a permit even stronger.
2- We won the court case in 2013 and did so in a very strong manner, as the Judge did not even allow for an appeal from the provincial government
3- We have relied on an engineer that is considered one of the best on the planet when it comes to tailing ponds and dams.
4- In the legislature, a Nobel winning environmental scientist, Professor Weaver, stated that we were turned down for political reasons. I think he brought up our situation twice in different sessions.
5- IMO the fact that the Gold Commissioner gave us the lease to build the facilities speaks volumes. My understanding is that leases for mining in BC are given AFTER the permit has been issued. Clearly the Gold Commissioner felt that we had satisfied all requirements. Reading his reports, it was clear that he was very thoughtful and gave all parties, including LBN, a chance to participate in the discussion before making his decision.
If we ever end up in court, I think the Gold Commissioner's actions and lease will carry great weight.
6- The mine is safe as stated by the EAO in the 2012 letter. Seriously, what would happen in court if the EAO go against their own written opinion of 2012? Frankly, they would look like bumbling fools IMO.
The EAO written opinion, which showed a very strong approval of the environmental assessment work that BKM did and fills 32 of the 36 pages of the denial letter of 2012, along with the Gold Comissioner giving BKM a lease despite the permit denial by the Ministers of the day, are IMO the strongest points in our favor.
7- PS The 13% mineral tax at this point would net over $700 million or $800 million for the province. With high mineral prices this could increase to a billion or more.
NO to Permit:
1- LBN are against the mine and the BC NDP may be too weak to go against the wants of the LBN.
2- The NDP are not business people and may not realize the significance of several hundred million in mineral tax revenue. And, this does not include the numerous good jobs for people of the north and in general, a revitalized northern community.
3- The NDP may be afraid of the legal implications and the potentially huge damages that could be awarded in BKM's favor by the court and so they may be delaying on purpose. They may be hoping that BKM just fades away with time... a dangerous solution that will simply get more expensive with time, as it will clearly demonstrate an intent to delay.
I hope I am wrong about the possible 3 reasons for not giving BKM a permit.
Anyway, this is how I see it. Again, please feel free to add your 2 cents.