BC Gov News

• The application for the proposed Bamberton quarry expansion is undergoing an enhanced review under the Mines Act permitting process, conducted by the Ministry of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation (EMLI).
• At the same time, the Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship will work with First Nations in the area to develop and implement a cumulative effects analysis.
• Under the enhanced Mines Act review process the Bamberton quarry expansion project  includes:
  • technical review by ministry geotechnical, reclamation and geoscience specialists to assess and mitigate potential effects of the quarry expansion prior to a decision;
  • an additional 30-day public comment period to allow the public to provide input and feedback on the permit amendment application;
  • the public posting of information regarding the Mines Act permit amendment process considered by the EMLI decision maker for enhanced process transparency;
  • additional engagement with First Nations in the area to consider and mitigate potential impacts of the quarry expansion on Indigenous rights and title, including Douglas Treaty rights;
  • engagement by the EMLI with the Environmental Assessment Office (EAO) during the Mines Act permit amendment review and development of conditions;
  • this will ensure that concerns raised during the EAO’s designation request review process are considered through permitting as appropriate; and
  • referral of the decision to a senior statutory decision-maker, which will include recommendations for permit conditions based on the technical review, First Nations engagement and public comments.
• The statutory decision-maker has the authority to:
  • require public reporting of environmental monitoring;
  • require creation of a committee to review monitoring results to evaluate mitigation effectiveness considering the results of the cumulative effects analysis; and
  • consider recommendations of the committee for amended permit conditions based on the evaluation of monitoring results and the cumulative effects analysis.
• Robust public and First Nations engagement will help to inform the Mines Act permit decision by the statutory decision-maker.
• The statutory decision-maker’s reasons for decision will be posted publicly at the time that a permit decision is made.

Learn More:

EAO Information Bulletin regarding Provincial environmental assessment not required for Bamberton Quarry expansion: https://news.gov.bc.ca/29099