BC Government Rejects KGHM Ajax Open Pit Mine on S

KAMLOOPS, British Columbia, Dec. 15, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Stk’emlúpsemc te Secwepemc Nation (SSN) leadership is exuberant that the British Columbia Government, through the Ministry of Environment and Climate Action, has chosen to not issue the environmental assessment certificate for the KGHM Ajax Mine proposed copper and gold mine- effectively rejecting the project.  

“We Secwepemc have never ceded or surrendered our rights or title. Our ancestors stood firm as have we, for the benefit of our future generations and guests in our territory. The British Columbian Government, in choosing to refuse KGHM Ajax’s environmental assessment, are enacting their commitment to uphold the United Nations Declaration on Indigenous Rights and to implement the 94 calls to action from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.”

Tk’emlúps te Secwepemc Chief Fred Seymour

No Free Prior and Informed Consent (No FPIC)- Stk’emlúpsemc te Secwépemc Nation made the decision on March 4, 2017, to NOT give its free, prior and informed consent to the development of the lands and resources at Pípsell (Jacko Lake and Area) for the purposes of the Ajax Mine Project. The Ajax Mine Project in its proposed location at Pípsell (Jacko Lake and area) is in opposition to the SSN’s land use objective for this culturally important and historically significant keystone site which significance is fundamental and undiminished.

Strong opposition and no net benefit- SSN and others who have voiced their opposition to the proposed mine are alarmed that the Ajax has no net benefit to Canadians and British Columbians. Two 2016 reports, one by independent analyst Tim Oliver, the other by Mining Watch Canada, conclude that the Ajax open pit mine project, “does not make economic sense” and “represents an unconscionable risk to investors, governments and the public.” The watchdog organization recommended that the mine should not be permitted and that an investigation be undertaken by the BC Securities Commission for inadequate disclosure of risks and costs. The report highlights a number of social and environmental costs externalized to Kamloops and BC taxpayers and not monetized in Ajax’s studies. 

“We call on the federal Cabinet to uphold Environment and Climate Change Minister McKenna’s decision and the Government of BC’s decision to say no to this project. We ask that the Government of Poland through their State-owned company, KGHM Ajax, to also do the right thing, as signatories to UNDRIP, and abandon this project. We honour the many who stood with us in our decision to say “no” to Ajax. We will remain steadfast in our goal of keeping this cultural treasure protected and accessible to all who wish to experience it.”

Skeetchestn Chief Ron Ignace

BACKGROUND:

• ME7E PÍPSELL TA7A AJAX YES PÍPSELL NO AJAX :

Aug 9, 2017 Media Release: Stk’emlúpsemc te Secwepemc Nation SSN response to British Columbia’s & CEAA Environmental Assessment Office Ajax Mine Project Assessment Reports PDF of Media Release: https://wordpress.roimediaworks.com/STSN/file...Report.pdf       

• PÍPSELL DESIGNATION AS A SECWEPEMC NATION CULTURAL HERITAGE SITE

June 20, 2017 Media Release: Stk’emlúpsemc te Secwepemc Nation and Allies Celebrate Pípsell Designation as Secwépemc Nation Cultural Heritage Site and New Exhibit at the Secwépemc Museum and Heritage Park Video Link: https://vimeo.com/222291883 PDF of Media Release: http://stkemlups.ca/files/2013/11/June20_2017..._final.pdf

• SSN DECISION RE: KGHM-AJAX

Video Link: https://vimeo.com/210983969 PDF of 12-page Decision Summary Booklet : http://stkemlups.ca/files/2013/11/2017-03-ssn...mary_0.pdf

• SSN ALLIES FORMALISE THEIR SUPPORT FOR SSN DECISION

April 1, 2017 Media Release: SSN Allies Declare their support for the SSN Pípsell Decision to say No to KGHM Ajax and Yes to Health People and Environment PDF of Media Release: http://stkemlups.ca/files/2013/11/2017.04.01-...-Event.pdf  

• SSN SUBMISSION TO CEAA EXPERT PANEL

Lessons from the Land: Written Submission, Prepared for the CEAA Expert Panel by Stk’emlúpsemc Te Secwepemc Nation, December 22, 2016 PDF of Report: http://eareview-examenee.ca/wp-content/upload...report.pdf

• SSN PROJECT REVIEW PROCESS

Video Link: https://vimeo.com/194534066 PDF of 4-Page Process Booklet : http://stkemlups.ca/files/2013/11/SSN_4Pager-...02-WEB.pdf