Assessment of mind closure bonds as tools for protection of water quality and First Nations rights ...

Mine closure bonds have been assessed as tools for the goal of protecting water quality, aquatic habitat and First Nations Rights. While some mining companies have taken a strong stewardship approach at their sites, other mining companies fall short of protecting long-term water quality and interest...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Freed, Rina
Format: Text
Language:English
Published: The University of British Columbia 2017
Subjects:
Online Access:https://dx.doi.org/10.14288/1.0354269
https://doi.library.ubc.ca/10.14288/1.0354269
Description
Summary:Mine closure bonds have been assessed as tools for the goal of protecting water quality, aquatic habitat and First Nations Rights. While some mining companies have taken a strong stewardship approach at their sites, other mining companies fall short of protecting long-term water quality and interests of First Nations. Consideration is given to successes and challenges with a number of operating and closed mines, mainly in British Columbia. Lessons learned show it is essential that closure bonds reflect the on-the-ground liabilities on an annual basis and that the bonds be fully updated when mines are profiting. Once conditions change and mines are not profiting, it is very difficult to remedy a situation where liabilities greatly exceed the closure bond held by the Province. To reach long-term closure and full remediation of a mines site, a delay in action of decades is common before water quality impacts are remediated. Improved regulatory tools to protect long-term water quality and First Nations rights ...