Save Record Ridge, Stop the Open Pit Mine
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We are the Save Record Ridge Action Committee (SRRAC), a group of Rossland residents committed to protecting and preserving the integrity of our irreplaceable community and precious ecosystems. Over the past year we have worked tirelessly to stop the proposed Magnesium open pit mine within the rare and ecologically sensitive Grassland ecosystems of Record Ridge in the Rossland Range. The project is so close to homes and will be visible from within Rossland, BC's city limits. There are still many steps left in this fight and we need your help!
W.H.Y. Resources, an Alberta-based company, has applied to start an open pit Magnesium mine just 7.5 km from Rossland. If approved, this operation will run 12 hours a day, seven days a week. Activities will include drilling, blasting, excavating, crushing, and hauling ore offsite. All of this will be too close to the communities of Paterson and Big Sheep Creek. The ore truck route will pass directly through the cities of Rossland, Warfield, and Trail. The trucks will transport ore to Trail where it will be transferred to rail and shipped out of Canada for processing. The mine poses a severe threat to our environment and the well-being of our community. Simply put, this mine is far too close to our homes and communities.
To avoid an environmental assessment prior to starting the first phase of the project, W.H.Y. resources has applied for a 2-year quarry permit, even though it is clear that the company plans to operate a full-scale open pit magnesium mine for more than 20 years.
If this permit is issued, this project will start without a full understanding of the environmental, economic, and health impacts of the mine. The pristine Record Ridge landscape will be destroyed and our communities, our health, and our quality of life may be forever changed.
There has been limited public consultation and there are extensive community concerns, including:
- Health impacts from air pollution: Dust from the mine and from the trucks coming through town will have significant impacts on our community. Silica, asbestos, and other particulates will be transported through the air by prevailing winds from the mine site and into the places we and our children live, work, and play.
- Water quality impacts: Airborne dust deposition into drinking water reservoirs, potential leaching from waste rock, and discharges from a sedimentation pond into Sophia Creek threaten our water quality.
- Noise impacts: Mining operations like blasting, rock crushing, and continual heavy truck traffic will significantly disrupt the peace of residents and visitors in our communities.
- Safety concerns: Increased truck traffic directly through Rossland, Warfield and Trail poses safety risks, particularly along pedestrian routes frequented by children.
- Sensitive ecosystem destruction: The operation threatens Record Ridge's red-listed Grasslands ecosystem, home to endangered species and vital plant communities, including Bitterroot, which is an important indigenous food source.
- Disturbance of prime recreational areas: The location of the operation would destroy prime, frequently used recreational areas, including rerouting parts of the famed Seven Summits Trail.
- Archeological concerns: The application notes there will be impacts to the historic Dewdney Trail.
- Economic impacts: The mine could destabilize the local economy, which relies heavily on recreation tourism, potentially affecting hundreds of local businesses.
- Wildlife and wildlife habitat loss: The project endangers the red-listed grassland ecosystem of record ridge, home to the threatened mountain holly fern, and used by the great blue heron, toads, and other species of concern.
- Stress on water resources: This mine operation will require use of local water, which will strain our community’s water resources, exacerbating our existing shortages.
We are at a critical moment as the official public comment period closes soon and the Government of BC could then issue permits to W.H.Y. at any time, allowing work to proceed. SRRAC is pursuing every avenue we can to stop this mine from happening.
We are committed to safeguarding the health of our community, ensuring the safety of our roads, and preserving the natural environment that supports our local businesses and way of life. We want Record Ridge to be protected, maintaining the natural beauty and ecological balance that are vital for the region. These efforts safeguard basic human rights like access to clean air and water. SRRAC is a fully-volunteer, grassroots effort. We need your support to continue this important work. Please join us in protecting our community and environment.
Your donations will help us in our fight to stop this mine project from moving forward. These contributions will be used to fund SRRAC activities including:
- Acquiring expert environmental services for independent reviews of the full mine permit application and other environmental research in support of our objective.
- Communications to raise awareness and mobilize support.
- Ongoing legal assistance in preparation of submissions and navigating the regulatory process; we have an amazing environmental lawyer who is working closely with us on each step of this battle.
- Administrative Costs, such as banking, printing and filing fees.
Please consider supporting these efforts so we can work towards keeping our community a healthy, safe, and amazing place to live.
Thank you,
The Save Record Ridge Action Committee
Save Record Ridge Action Committee Society is a registered society under the Societies Act of BC
Organizer
Save Record Ridge Action Committee Society
Organizer
Rossland, BC