Resources & Tools
B.C. Placer Mining:
High Environmental Impact vs. Low Economic Return
Going on two centuries, placer mining has been synonymous with the history of British Columbia. Yet beyond the nostalgic promise of “striking it rich” (which is rarely the case) the industry offers almost nothing in royalties or reward. However, it has contributed to the serious degradation of the province’s watersheds. From historic placer mining and its under-studied use of mercury in the Gold Rush era; to the modern-day mechanized operations that leave huge scars on our waterways; FMC opens a revealing window on the placer mining mystery and separates fact from folklore.
The New Gold Rush: Placer Mining in the Fraser Watershed
We continue our examination into placer mining, with a focus on the Fraser Watershed, the heart of British Columbia and former home to one of the most abundant salmon runs on the planet. We highlight the effects of placer mining, continuing to this day, and reveal (among many other things), that based on the best available information to date, no placer mine has ever received an environmental assessment in British Columbia.
The Path to Zero Failures
A groundbreaking and comprehensive analysis of BC’s Health Safety and Reclamation Code for Mines (“HSRC”) and Mines Act, The Path to Zero Failures outlines the many changes the BC government needs to make to the HSRC and the Mines Act, in order to prevent future catastrophic failures like that of Mount Polley in 2014.
Northern Secwepemc te Qelmucw Mining Policy
This policy, developed by Fair Mining Collaborative, and based on our Fair Mining Practices: A New Mining Code for British Columbia is comprehensive, detailed, and clearly spells out what is expected of industry and government when operating on Northern Secwepemc territory.
The Mine Medicine Manual: A Community Resource
The Mine Medicine Manual is a user friendly, interactive, graphic field guide covering everything you want to know about mining in BC in under 150 pages. Based on Fair Mining Collaborative’s Fair Mining Practices: A New Mining Code for British Columbia, The Mine Medicine Manual is a helpful and practical tool for all communities curious about, or affected by mining development. The Manual is tailored (but not confined) to use by First Nation resource managers, councilors, teachers, students, and the public at large.
The Manual encourages a “hands on” approach, and covers the whole mining life cycle. Readers learn how to perform jobs of a resource manager: checking mining claims, researching mining companies, informing the community, media outreach, inspecting drill sites and mine sites, water and soil sampling, accessing key government and industry agencies, and more.
Fair Mining Practices: A New Mining Code for British Columbia
Focusing on positive solutions to complex mining issues, the “Code” is a compilation of innovative mining laws from around the world applied to the issues faced by First Nations and other communities in British Columbia.
A multi-purpose document, it is a valuable resource for communities whether they are developing mining and resource policies based on traditional laws and customs, negotiating with mining companies, grappling with the new tide of internet claim-staking, or searching for solutions to the legacy of mines.
Click here for Chapter Summaries.
Fixing Systemic Failures in BC’s Mining Regulation: The Urgent Need for a Judicial Inquiry
The University of Victoria Environmental Law Centre and the Fair Mining Collaborative have requested that the premier establish a Commission of Public Inquiry into mining in BC. This initiative is supported by a wide group of First Nations and NGOs.
The request for inquiry is in response to systemic failures noted by a recent Auditor General’s report and exemplified by the Mount Polley Mine disaster.
Modernizing BC’s Free Entry Mining Laws for a Vibrant, Sustainable Mining Sector
BC’s “free entry” Mineral Tenure laws are outdated and do not protect the interests of First Nations and private land owners in BC. This report, which is a joint project between West Coast Environmental Law and the Fair Mining Collaborative, tells the stories of people effected by “free entry” laws and proposes changes to BC’s mining law that will better serve British Columbians.
BC Mining Background Report
An overview of mine developments proposed in British Columbia, many within key wilderness areas and watersheds, and the impacts that need to be evaluated. Prepared by the Environmental Mining Education Foundation for the Wilburforce Foundation 2012.
Acid Mine Drainage: Mining and Water Pollution Issues
Acid Mine Drainage is the biggest environmental threat from mining in British Columbia — water resources, fish, wildlife, and even human populations can be affected. This report introduces the issues, profiles key sites, and identifies outstanding concerns. Published by BC Wild and Environmental Mining Council of BC
More Precious Than Gold: Mineral Development and the Protection of Biological Diversity in Canada
Those seeking to protect biodiversity and those seeking mineral wealth have often ended up looking up the same valleys. This paper provides a helpful overview for all concerned about mining and environment conflicts, as it lays out some of the primary issues at stake from a biodiversity-protection perspective. Prepared by the Environmental Mining Council of British Columbia for the World Wildlife Federation
Mining in Remote Areas: Issues and Impacts — A Community Primer
To respond effectively to the challenges of mineral development, communities need the context and information necessary to understand and weigh issues. This booklet profiles major impacts associated with mines developed in remote areas. Produced for MiningWatch Canada by the Environmental Mining Council of British Columbia
Sites to explore for more online reports, tools & info
- Association of Mineral Exploration of BC (AMEBC)
- BC Placer
- BC Technical and Research Committee on Reclamation
- Boreal Songbird Initiative
- Canadian Institute of Mining
- Center for Indigenous Environmental Resources
- Center for Science in Public Participation
- Commitee for Mineral Reserves International Reporting Standards
- EcoJustice Canada
- Environmental Law Centre
- Fair Trade Gold and Silver
- First Nations in British Columbia
- First Nations Energy and Mining Council
- First Nations Women Advocating Responsible Mining
- Freshwater Alliance
- Friends of Nemiah Valley
- Geoscience BC
- Global Energy Minerals and Markets (GEMM)
- Impact and Benefit Agreement Research Network
- Indigenous Environmental Network
- Infomine
- Initiative for Responsible Mining Assurance
- Inside Passage Waterkeeper
- International Institute for Environment and Development
- I Think Mining
- Justice Education Society of BC
- Mines and Communities
- Minfile
- Mining Association of Canada (MAC)
- Mining Association of BC (MABC)
- MiningWatch Canada
- Ministry of Energy, Mines & Natural Gas. First Nations Engagement
- National Orphaned/Abandoned Mines Initiative (NOAMI)
- Northwest Institute for Bioregional Research
- Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada (PDAC)
- Respecting Aboriginal Values and Environmental Needs (RAVEN)
- Responsible Minerals Sector Initiative
- Rivers Without Borders
- Salmon Beyond Borders
- Sierra Club of British Columbia
- Skeena Watershed Conservation Coalition
- Southeast Alaska Conservation Council
- Sustainable Development Strategies Group
- United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP)
- Watershed Watch Salmon Society
- West Coast Environmental Law
- Western Mining Action Network
- Wildsight
- Yukon Conservation Society
Please let us know if you have suggestions for our resources & links listings.
