B.C. ends jade mining in northwest, all mines to close in 5 years

Due to environmental damage, lack of compliance and poor enforcement, the province of British Columbia restricts jade mining activities.

Canada's CBC news agency reported on May 11, 2024 that the province of British Columbia will no longer allow new jade mines to be established in the northwest of this province, and the existing mines will gradually stop operating over the next five years.

British Columbia's Ministry of Energy and Mines said in a statement that ministry officials have been working closely with indigenous communities to address concerns about the impact of jade mining on sensitive mountain environments near Diss Lake (about 1,750 kilometers northwest of Vancouver).

In this statement, it is stated that in order to protect this area from further damage and disturbance, it was necessary to issue a decree under the Environment and Land Use Law.

Mining activities on the new concessions would cease immediately, while existing concession holders could continue to operate with "more regulatory requirements" for five years to allow "sufficient time for a phase-out."

"Working closely with local First Nations and receiving input from industry, the ministry is addressing concerns about the environmental impacts of a jade mine in the Thuringian region of northwestern British Columbia on sensitive mountain environments," the statement added. "This ruling is necessary to protect these areas from further damage and disruption."

In addition to the environmental damage, B.C.'s Ministry of Energy and Mines said that jade mining in the province's northwest, where many mines are only accessible by helicopter, has created significant licensing, regulatory and enforcement challenges. .

The province said the ruling is limited to jade mining in that area and does not affect other types of mines or jade concessions elsewhere in British Columbia.

Jade is the gemstone of the province of British Columbia, and in 2016, under the then Liberal government of British Columbia, Bill Bennett, Minister of Energy and Mines, declared May 28 as "Jade Day" to raise awareness of its "economic benefits".

However, there has been considerable controversy over jade mining over the years. In 2020, the province implemented a temporary ban on placer jade mining in the northern half of British Columbia under the British Columbia NDP government.

In response to the bans imposed by the province, two companies, Cassiar Jade Contracting Inc. and Glenpark Enterprises Ltd. In March 2024, they filed a lawsuit against the government of British Columbia to receive financial compensation for the damages caused by these bans.

The province filed a court response in April saying the companies "could never reasonably expect unconditional rights to their mineral claims." This complaint is still in court.

Glenpark Enterprises president Christian Rosequist said he thought the government was planning to announce reforms to the province's northwest jade mining industry, not a complete shutdown.

"I hope people can understand that the government is dealing with an iron fist," he told CBC News. "They consider it more appropriate to shut down an entire industry instead of enforcing their own rules."

Tony Ritter, chairman of Cassiar Jade, said mining companies were not properly consulted before the recent announcement and the government had just contacted them to set up a working group to discuss future regulations.

"I have many unanswered questions," he said.

Ritter said companies like his, despite their excellent environmental record, are penalized because other companies ignore the regulations.



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