Comparison of the British Columbia and federal environmental assessments for the Prosperity Mine

The Prosperity Gold-Copper Mine project proposed by Taseko Mines Limited presents a unique opportunity to compare and contrast the provincial and federal environmental assessment (EA) processes. This proposed mine in the Chilcotin region of British Columbia was approved by the BC government in January 2010 ... By contrast, the same project was rejected by Canada in November 2010 following review by an independent panel that made more extensive findings of significant adverse effects in eight additional areas ... What accounts for such divergent outcomes? This report reviews and evaluates the provincial and federal EA processes as they are disclosed in the record provided by the BC EAO and Federal Review Panel.