The City of Rossland has recommended rejecting the application from West High Year Resources (WHY) for the proposed Record Ridge Mine.
The City, which is a participant in the Record Ridge Mining Development Review Committee (MDRC), says the decision is due to unresolved technical, environmental, and economic concerns presented at the committee’s meetings.
A press release states that several key issues remain unaddressed by the project proponent, with the most pressing concerns being its socioeconomic impact, transportation issues, environmental consequences, and the transparency of the company behind the project.
Mayor Andy Morel outlined these concerns in a letter to Kathy Wagar, Chair of the Record Ridge MDRC, stating that some technical issues may be resolved if the company addresses critical technical and policy matters.
A summary of the concerns expressed by the community that have yet to be addressed is as follows:
Tourism/Economic Concerns
The City says the project’s socioeconomic assessment does not sufficiently address key issues.
The assessment claimed the project would increase tax revenue, but the City says this is unfounded, as it will receive no benefits, tax or otherwise.
The few seasonal jobs and the disruption to the Record Ridge recreation area do not compensate for potential losses in recreational and tourism-related economic opportunities.
Additionally, the City says the assessment’s brief mention of tourism, without acknowledging the significant role of the Seven Summits Trail, is insufficient.
While the City acknowledges plans to reroute the trail, its established use and value as a recreational asset suggest that altering it could negatively impact its continued use.
The potential negative impacts of an open-pit mining operation on the community, given its reliance on a growing four-season tourism economy, necessitate proper analysis.
Transportation
While efforts to reduce the impact of heavy trucks passing through the downtown core by redirecting them to Highway 22 to the Paterson border crossing are appreciated, the City says the proposed turnaround at the museum raises concerns.
These concerns include accessibility and parking at the Rossland Museum and Tourist Information Centre.
It is also understood that the Ministry of Transportation has not accepted WHY’s traffic management plan and will not issue an access permit for the Rossland-Cascade Highway until safe passage for all road users at all times is proposed and approved.
The City says community feedback echoes these concerns regarding the shared use of this facility between recreational users, residents, logging trucks, and large mining trucks.
Company Trust and Transparency
The changes made by the company to avoid an Environmental Assessment, along with contradictions between its website and MDRC indications, have raised concerns in the community.
The City says the project’s vision contradicts the application for a two-year term with reduced tonnage and that it remains unclear where exactly the material will be transported, as this has changed multiple times throughout the process.
Environmental Impact
The reductions in proposed tonnage to avoid an Environmental Assessment are also a concern for the City, which says the applicant has indicated an intent to mine more if the pilot project proves profitable.
City officials believe this project should be assessed based on long-term plans rather than the initial two years of operation, stating that a thorough Environmental Impact Assessment is necessary to evaluate potential risks and develop appropriate mitigation measures.
Water
The applicant has stated they do not need water from local creeks for dust control or other mine operations, but they have also mentioned that water is required for operational and transportation purposes.
However, the City says it remains unclear where these water resources will be sourced, which is a particular concern given decreasing snowpack and hot summer seasons.
Technical Issues
The technical issues raised by the Save Record Ridge Action Committee (SSRAC) regarding metal leaching, asbestos characterization, surface and groundwater baseline data, and meteorological baseline data raise community concerns that these aspects do not meet requirements or fall short of reasonable expectations.
Policy Issues
Lastly, the City notes that the interpretation of policy regarding the Environmental Assessment Act and Reviewable Projects Regulation, as identified by SSRAC, reinforces environmental concerns that the project exceeds the production capacity threshold, making it reviewable under the Act. Therefore, the City believes it should be considered part of a larger, reviewable project.
Until these issues are adequately addressed, the City of Rossland says it must recommend rejecting the application.
“We cannot, in good conscience, reach consensus to recommend that this application move forward until all identified issues are fully resolved,” said Mayor Andy Morel.
Spokesperson for the Save Record Ridge Action Committee, Elissa Ferguson, praises the City for this decision, saying it feels validating to be supported.
“The Save Record Ridge Action Committee is thrilled by the City of Rossland’s decision not to approve the mine permit at this time. It’s very validating for us to be supported in the efforts that we have made, but it’s also very valuable to our community that our council is willing to stand up for what our community needs now and in the long term.”
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