Mining News: NCP finds no merit to SEACC KSM complaint

Seabridge Gold Inc. Nov. 21 said Canada’s National Contact Point, an interdepartmental committee chaired by Global Affairs Canada, has concluded that a complaint it received regarding aspects of the environmental assessment review process for the world-class KSM gold-copper project in northwestern British Columbia did not merit further examination and its file has now been closed after only the initial assessment level of review. The complaint came from Southeast Alaska Conservation Council that alleged Seabridge violated multinational enterprises guidelines by failing to disclose project documents and engage appropriately with stakeholders in Alaska. SEACC also claimed the mining company had not exercised sufficient due diligence regarding potential environmental and human rights impacts of the KSM project. Seabridge received provincial and federal approvals for KSM in 2014.

During its investigation, which began in January, National Contact Point found that during the permitting process, the KSM project was subject to a rigorous and detailed environmental assessment process at both the federal and provincial levels. The committee said it found that: Seabridge had disclosed all of its relevant studies and plans related to the environment; federal and provincial environmental assessment agencies conducted public consultations; evidence that Seabridge had engaged with Alaskans during the environmental assessment process despite no legal requirement to do so; the federal and provincial environmental assessment review processes included examination of all potential negative impacts and identification of mitigation measures where needed; and concerns of stakeholders had been integrated into the environmental assessment process and ultimately had led to important changes in KSM project design.

“We are pleased that the thoroughness of the federal and provincial joint environmental assessment review process for KSM has been acknowledged and that this complaint has been dismissed,” said Seabridge Chairman and CEO. “I want to … reiterate that Seabridge remains committed to continuing engagement with the people of northwestern BC and southeastern Alaska, including Treaty and First Nations, as the KSM Project moves toward development.”

–SHANE LASLEY