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Sustainability Stories > Britannia Mine posted on 8:56 AM, December 17, 2012
One of FBC's early success stories was in 1998 when we helped bring greater public attention to a serious pollution problem at the old Britannia Mine site, located partway between Vancouver and Whistler. An active copper mine from 1902 to 1974, Britannia Mine became the largest single point source metal contamination problem in North America. Acid Rock Drainage from the old mine had severely damaged marine life in Howe Sound. Contaminated water, soil and sediments at the site were also a significant obstacle to the long-term economic and social development in the community. FBC invited all orders of government, private sector bodies and the community to come together on a solution. As a result of that early work, later negotiations among the parties, and new contaminated sites legislation, progress was made. A settlement agreement was later reached between the Province and mine owners. A new water treatment facility was built in 2005, and the results were worth it. Britannia Beach is today a vital, healthy community. And by 2011 Pink salmon were once again beginning to appear in the area — something hardly imaginable a decade earlier. |
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