Mining can create toxic tailings leaching into fish bearing lakes and acid mine drainage that can last for centuries.
Acid mine drainage occurs when water and oxygen react with exposed
sulphide ores created from mining. In some systems, once thriving runs
of salmon have been killed off by years of acid drainage into sensitive
streams.
We continue to advocate for:
- full long-term environment impact assessments before any prospective mine is approved
- legislation to hold mining companies responsible for treating any future acid mine drainage impacts and the cost of containment and cleanup
- full force prosecution of polluters under the federal Fisheries Act