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B.C., China Mining Deal Worth $1.3 Billion, Includes One Secret Project

Christy Clark

First Posted: 11/09/11 07:34 PM ET Updated: 11/10/11 07:14 PM ET

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VICTORIA - Premier Christy Clark says Chinese companies have signed deals to invest $1.3 billion in two mining projects in B.C., but one of them is secret and there are lots of hurdles to overcome before work starts on either plan.

Clark signed the agreements in Beijing as part of her Asian trade mission and claims the projects could create at least 6,700 jobs.

The projects are partnerships between Chinese and Canadian firms, including Kailuan Group Ltd., Shougang Group and Canadian Dehua International Mines Group Inc.

One of the projects is a coal mine near Hudson's Hope in northeast B.C., and the provincial government says it could operate for more than 40 years and produce two million tons of coal a year.

However, the government is refusing to release details of the second project, citing confidentiality agreements.

Neither of the projects will get anywhere until they pass through environmental assessments, permit applications and consultations with local communities and First Nations, all of which could take at least two years.

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VICTORIA - Premier Christy Clark says Chinese companies have signed deals to invest $1.3 billion in two mining projects in B.C., but one of them is secret and there are lots of hurdles to overcome bef...
VICTORIA - Premier Christy Clark says Chinese companies have signed deals to invest $1.3 billion in two mining projects in B.C., but one of them is secret and there are lots of hurdles to overcome bef...
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BubbaHubbaJubba
23 Fans
01:08 PM on 11/10/2011
" And guess what, little ones?"
"We'll let you in on the "secret" project once you have elected us back to power."
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CanadaStan
Cogito ergo spud, I think, therefore I yam
165 Fans
10:03 AM on 11/10/2011
Nice rack!
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waldopepper
I'd tell you all about me if you were my friend.
893 Fans
07:28 AM on 11/10/2011
So coal huh. Sure it will be shipped to China and burned there, but we all breath the same air.
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Donna Meness
www.findmaisyandshannon.com
224 Fans
03:30 AM on 11/10/2011
SODA CREEK, BC, Nov. 7, 2011 /CNW/ - BC's First Nations Women Advocating
Responsibl­e Mining (FNWARM) today joined the Tsilhqot'i­n Nation in
denouncing the unnecessar­y review of the Prosperity Mine rebid.

"The best thing that Premier Christy Clark can do if she wants to see
mines opened in BC is to work with First Nations and the industry to
develop a reformed system that prevents wrong projects from being
pursued and creates an agreed-on process that allows us to identify and
pursue the right projects in the right way," Chief Sellars said.

Chief Sellars noted the Associatio­n for Mineral Exploratio­n BC and the
Mining Associatio­n of BC said during an FNWARM forum on the industry's
future that they want a clear process, too, and that the province needs
to bring everyone to the table.

"We might not yet agree on how to reform the staking and tenure system,
the discredite­d BC EA process and engage in genuine land-use planning
and decision-s­haring, but there is agreement that change is needed and
that we need to start talking," said Chief Sellars.

For further informatio­n:
Media contact: FNWARM Chair, Chief Bev Sellars: Ph: 250-989-23­23. Cell:
250-267-69­24

To read in it's entirety:
http://www­.ubcic.bc.­ca/News_Re­leases/UBC­ICNews1107­1101.html
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
Peacefrogg
489 Fans
11:34 AM on 11/10/2011
Just as long as the Indians can get their hands a piece of the pie, then everything will be good to go, so much for the environment, land, lakes and rivers because money talks and sh i--t t walks.
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Donna Meness
www.findmaisyandshannon.com
224 Fans
03:21 AM on 11/10/2011
"Taseko's New Prosperity Mine proposal is the slick re-packaging of a
dead proposal. Taseko has simply applied more mortician's make-up to
their already failed Prosperity Mine project proposal," said Grand Chief
Stewart Phillip, President of the Union of BC Indian Chiefs. "The
so-called 'New Prosperity' project will still kill Teztan Biny and
contaminate all adjacent watersheds."

Grand Chief Phillip stated, "Nothing has changed with the proposal but
the opposition continues to increase, throughout British Columbia and
Canada. The federal Cabinet should have seen the significant and
irreversible impacts of this project and totally reject its development.
What a waste of time, money and goodwill."

"The Union of BC Indian Chiefs will continue to stand in unity and
solidarity with any and all First Nations defending their sacred lands,
Indigenous Title, Rights and Treaty Rights" concluded Grand Chief Phillip.

Media inquiries:
Grand Chief Stewart Phillip, Union of BC Indian Chiefs
Phone: (604) 684-0231
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Donna Meness
www.findmaisyandshannon.com
224 Fans
03:22 AM on 11/10/2011
http://www.ceaa.gc.ca/050/document-eng.cfm?document=53081

Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency
News Release
New Prosperity Gold-Copper Mine Project to be Assessed by a Federal
Review Panel

OTTAWA, November 7, 2011

The Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency
(the Agency) announced today that the New Prosperity Gold-Copper Mine
project in British Columbia will undergo an environmental assessment by
a federal review panel.

The Minister of Environment has referred the New Prosperity Gold-Copper
Mine to a review panel pursuant to his authority under subparagraph
29(1)(a)(ii) of the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act.

To obtain more information on this project, including the project
description, please visit the Canadian Environmental Assessment Registry
at www.ceaa-acee.gc.ca , reference number 11-05-63928.
Taseko Mines Ltd. proposes the construction and operation of a large
open pit gold-copper mine development, approximately 125 kilometres
southwest of Williams Lake in British Columbia.

The Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency administers the federal
environmental assessment process, which identifies the environmental
effects of proposed projects and measures to address those effects, in
support of sustainable development.

more info?

http://wcel.org/resources/environmental-law-alert/prosperity-redux-disappointing-decision-environment-first-nations-

http://www.vancouversun.com/business/year+review+Prosperity+project+ordered/5671550/story.html

http://www.vancouversun.com/business/year+review+Prosperity+project+ordered/5671550/story.html

http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/11/08/taseko-prosperity-idUSN1E7A626Z20111108
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Bob M1545
0 Fans
12:40 AM on 11/10/2011
Secret project? Odd thing for open democracies. BC going commie or what?
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
walkerhds
577 Fans
07:09 AM on 11/10/2011
maybe not Communist, but rather odd that a democracy would be signing agreements that include secret projects with a foreign power for pursuit on their own soil.
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
Greenkid
35 Fans
08:01 AM on 11/10/2011
globalization my friend... we are not sovereign of anything anymore.. all that matters is dollars... shame...
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iewgnem
8 Fans
12:08 PM on 11/10/2011
Confidentially agreement is part of the legal framework, if you don't think its democratic maybe you can abolish the law, and see how many Canadian companies start complaining
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Bob M1545
0 Fans
12:52 PM on 11/10/2011
Good point. The word, confidential, would not get a rise out me, but the term, "secret project", in the headline sucked me in. Thanks for setting me straight.
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foottothefire
31 Fans
10:37 PM on 11/09/2011
Secret government agreements? We have a lot of them here in Alberta. What they don't know can't kill ya...or, stop ya from getting re-elected.
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