Taseko remains hopeful in the fight for its proposed New Prosperity mine. However, previous rejections by the federal panel and government, as well as the Tsilhqot’in tribe’s declaration of the site, decrease the chances of Taseko getting their way.
There are many benefits highlighted by Taseko that could better BC and its economy. The project would lead to the creation of jobs, over 10,400, and the company claims that many First Nations workers would be employed. Despite this proposition, the Tsilhqot’in tribe has plans of their own to create job opportunities of their own for First Nations workers. And, they would probably not allow Taseko the right to go ahead with the project because of the problem that lead to the project’s previous rejections.
Taseko’s problem lies in their proposed plan. The original plan faced rejection due to the environmental destruction that would be caused to Little Fish Lake. So the plans were revised, only the plan’s outcome still lead to destruction. And, now with the land Taseko sought after is in the hands of the Tsilhqot’in tribe. I doubt that Taseko could manage to achieve a mutual agreement with the Tsilhqot’in people unless they somehow could find a way to leave the area unharmed and go through with the project. But, if Taseko could do this they would be changing their plans instead of putting up this fight. Taseko will take this to the Federal Court later this month. Only time will tell, but the odds are not looking in Taseko’s favor.