VICTORIA — The Government of British Columbia is working with the Taku River Tlingit First Nation (TRTFN) to address historic issues at Tulsequah Chief Mine located in northern B.C.
The province has committed to spending up to $1.575 million for site preparation and studies to support early reclamation work at the site and will address longstanding concerns about water discharge.
“The environmental issues at the Tulsequah Chief Mine site have gone on for too long. But after working in partnership with the Taku River Tlingit First Nation and the Government of Alaska, I am pleased to see we now have a plan in place and can get to work on reclaiming the site,” B.C. Minister of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources Bruce Ralston said in a statement.
First steps will include replacing and repairing bridges, upgrading the access road, establishing an erosion protection berm and repair of the existing airstrip.
“One of the benefits of the work on the reclamation plan is safeguarding the salmon, and the joint effort with the province has been key to reaching this stage of a plan,” TRTFN spokesperson John Ward said.
“An integral part of the approach of the Taku River Tlingit First Nation is a responsible approach to industrial development. Future mining in the Taku River Tlingit First Nation territory is supported if it’s a responsible and sustainable approach that’s brought to the development.”
B.C. and TRTFN will work together to contract a light detection and ranging sensor survey that will gather detailed topographic information to support further design work and will initiate a multi-year aquatics monitoring program and assess potential short-term use of the interim water treatment plant.
The site remains in receivership under a court-appointed receiver. The Government of B.C. remains active in the receivership process that is currently taking place in the Ontario Superior Court of Justice, a government release stated.
The mine was in operation from 1951 to 1957 and is located next to the Tulsequah River in northern British Columbia, within the territory of the TRTFN.
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