Canadian regulators announced yesterday that they rejected Glencore's proposed Sukunka Coal Mine Project, an open-pit metallurgical coal mine located near Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia.
"The Government of Canada recognizes the mining sector as an important economic driver in Canada. However, mining projects can sometimes have significant adverse environmental effects – effects that matter to Canadians. In these instances, the government must take specific and targeted actions to protect the environment and its wildlife for future generations," wrote the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada in a news release.
"After careful deliberation, the Government of Canada has determined the significant adverse environmental effects of the proposed Sukunka Coal Mine Project, an open-pit metallurgical coal mine located near Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia, could not be mitigated. The project therefore cannot proceed."
Glencore proposed the construction and operation of an open-pit metallurgical coal mine located approximately 55 kilometres south of Chetwynd and 40 kilometres west of Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia. The project would have produced three million tonnes of hard coking coal per year for export to overseas markets.
