Last year, Nicola Mines Inc., applied for a permit to spread contaminated soils on the Craigmont Mine site near Lower Nicola.
That request was denied last month, the Ministry of Energy and Mines confirmed.
“The Chief Inspector of Mines denied Nicola Mines Inc.’s application to use contaminated soils in the reclamation program for the Craigmont Mine,” a ministry spokesperson said in an email to the Herald.
“The chief inspector determined that the proposed use of contaminated materials was not consistent with the existing approved reclamation plan and end land use for the Craigmont Mine.”
The permit would have allowed up to 300,000 tonnes of contaminated soil to be spread on the mine site.
Peter Espig, president of Nicola Mines, told the Herald at the time that the levels of contamination on the soil he planned to bring in were well below the required limit. He also said there would be rigourous testing done on whatever soil came on the site in the future.
However, the plan was met with opposition from Lower Nicola Band chief Aaron Sam, as well as TNRD representative Randy Murray.
“Who’s to say that if they get approval maybe they start with this lower grade, responsibly measured dirt and then — business is driven by profit — who knows what might come in the future?” he asked.
