Northern coal project gets B.C. government approval

VICTORIA – A Chinese-owned mine in northeastern British Columbia has passed another hurdle towards opening its controversial coal project.

British Columbia’s government has granted an environmental assessment certificate to HD Mining International Ltd. for the Murray River Coal project, near Tumbler Ridge.

A Federal Court challenge in 2013 of the firm’s proposed use of temporary foreign workers from China was successful, despite a claim by two labour unions that there were no Canadians available to do the work.

After the ruling, the federal government introduced reforms to the workers’ program, including removing a provision that allowed employers to pay temporary foreign workers up to 15 per cent less.

On Thursday, Environment Minister Mary Polak and Mines Minister Bill Bennett said the firm must follow 24 requirements to comply with the certificate, including hiring an independent environmental monitor and identifying measures to avoid impacts on First Nations rights.

The mine, which has an estimated capital cost of $668 million and a 25-year operating life, still requires a federal environmental certificate and various provincial permits to proceed.