WHEREAS the British Columbia Mines Act does not provide the capability to adequately address impacts from mining activities, including gravel operations, on community health, ground and surface water, road safety, agriculture, properties and property rights, wildlife habitat, and the well-being of our communities overall; AND WHEREAS the Mines Act is critically outdated, does not support sustainability objectives, and overrides more current environmental standards in the Water Act, local bylaws, and other Acts and laws: THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Government of British Columbia amend the BC Mines Act with input from members of the public and First Nations similar to methods used to amend BCs Water Act and to update it to be compatible with sustainable protective environmental law and other acts.
Ministry of Energy Mines The permitting process for mine projects fully considers all health, safety and environmental issues. A permit will not be issued unless the statutory decision maker is satisfied the operation will meet all applicable standards. The Mines Act allows for input from the public, local government, provincial and federal government agencies and health organizations and this input may influence the conditions that are included in the permit where appropriate.