This response is available on the
project’s public registry here.
The Panel is inviting comment on Taseko’s response to the Panel’s request for information on this topic. The deadline for interested parties to provide comments to the Panel is January 29, 2010.
In providing comments, the Panel would like to remind interested parties that in its letter of November 30, 2009, it requested that Taseko provide information with respect to the incremental environmental effects associated with potentially extending the life of the mine from 20 years to 33 years. The letter noted that while the mine life extension is not part of the project currently under review, it is a reasonably foreseeable future action and hence there is a requirement to examine the cumulative effects of the current project in combination with the possible extension.
Next Steps
As previously stated in the Panel’s letter of November 10, 2009, the Panel will take Taseko’s response and any comments received from interested parties into consideration in determining whether the environmental impact statement (EIS) is sufficient to proceed to the public hearing. This sufficiency determination will address not only Taseko’s response to the potential cumulative effects of the project in combination with a possible extension to the life of the mine, but also its responses to the Panel’s information requests with respect to hydrology and the current use of lands and resources for traditional purposes by First Nations. The Panel will make this determination by February 5, 2010.
If the Panel determines that the EIS, as supplemented by the additional information provided by Taseko, is sufficiently complete to proceed to the public hearing, it will issue a Notice of Hearing. The Notice of Hearing will provide a minimum of 30 days notice of the start of the public hearing. If the Panel determines that the EIS is not sufficiently complete to proceed to the public hearing, it will issue additional information requests at that time.
Thank-you for your continued interest in this environmental assessment.
Regards,
Colette Spagnuolo
Panel Manager | Gestionnaire de commissions
Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency | Agence canadienne d'évaluation environnementale
160 Elgin St. Ottawa ON K1A 0H3 | 160, rue Elgin, Ottawa ON K1A 0H3
prosperity.review@ceaa-acee.gc.ca
Telephone | Téléphone 1-866-582-1884
Facsimile | Télécopieur 613-957-0941
Government of Canada | Gouvernement du Canada
Dear Interested Parties: On January 18, 2010, Taseko Mines Ltd. (Taseko) submitted its response to the questions raised by the federal Prosperity Review Panel (the Panel) with respect to the potential cumulative effects of the possible extension to the life of the mine from 20 years to 33 years. 
