https://rosslandtelegraph.com/2024/11/14/whats-happening-about-that-record-ridge-open-pit-mine-proposal/#:~:text=In%20September%2C%20WHY%20Resources%20submitted,to%2063%2C500%20tonnes%20per%20year.
The Save Record Ridge Action Committee (SRRAC) is voicing grave concerns over recent developments surrounding the Record Ridge mine project. In August, the BC Environmental Assessment Office (EAO) determined that a full Environmental Assessment (EA) was required for the project because it was above the production capacity threshold for a mineral mine. However, WHY Resources now claims to have amended the mine plan so that it falls under this threshold and is stating that it no longer requires an EA. This is a significant change to the project, yet the provincial government has not required the company to notify the public, nor have they provided a period for the public to comment on the amended project details.
In September, WHY Resources submitted an amendment letter and an updated mine plan to the Ministry of Mines, Energy, and Low Carbon Innovation (EMLI), claiming a reduction in production capacity from 200,000 to 63,500 tonnes per year. Based on this, they declared the project no longer requires an EA, as it falls below the 75,000 tonnes per year threshold. However, SRRAC’s detailed review finds that the proposed changes are minimal and do not align with the claimed 68.25% reduction in production capacity.
SRRAC has conducted detailed calculations and other analysis of the amendment and asserts that the mine’s production capacity is largely unchanged and still far exceeds the EA threshold of 75,000 tonnes per year. “Based on our analysis of the amendment, the Record Ridge mine project still requires an environmental assessment,” said Elissa Ferguson, spokesperson and director of SRRAC. “Production adjustments are not the same as changes to production capacity. Our analysis indicates the infrastructure, equipment, and operating potential still support a production well above the threshold, making it clear that the production capacity of this project hasn’t been reduced to a level below the threshold for environmental assessment.”
SRRAC has formally called on EMLI to halt the permitting process until a comprehensive EA is completed. The group also notes that WHY Resources has not addressed concerns raised during the public review comment period in May 2024, nor has EMLI conducted the public meeting promised to the community last summer.
Realizing the community wasn’t receiving sufficient information on the project, SRRAC hosted a community event on November 7 at the Rossland Miner’s Union Hall. The event was at capacity. The group was overwhelmed by the tremendous support received from the community and extends its thanks to the hundreds of attendees and donors.
SRRAC encourages concerned citizens to review the amendment for themselves on the BC Mine Information website and develop their own understanding of the project’s production capacity. Citizens can voice their concerns by contacting EMLI at EMLI.Minister@gov.bc.ca and the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy at ENV.Minister@gov.bc.ca.