The Gibraltar mine has taken home the Jake McDonald annual award for metal mine reclamation from the British Columbia Technical and Research Committee on Reclamation (TRCR).
TRCR's BC mine reclamation awards, which recognises outstanding achievement in mine reclamation in British Columbia, was held on September 23.
“The efforts of our Gibraltar employees continue to be rewarded by achievements like this high profile award. It is gratifying to see their talent and ingenuity being recognised at the highest levels. Gibraltar is proof of mining sustainability in action,” said Gibraltar owner Taseko CEO Russell Hallbauer.
He acknowledged the local Xatśūll First Nations and the North Shuswap Tribal Council Fisheries Department for their partnership and traditional knowledge in the yearly Fraser River salmon sampling programme. He also thanked the Xatśūll First Nations reclamation crew, whose participation has contributed to the success of Gibraltar's reclamation programme.
Sampling of salmon from the Fraser river, in partnerships with the Xatśūll First Nations and the North Shuswap Tribal Council, provide information to local Indigenous communities regarding the safety of consuming salmon captured at traditional fishing sites.
The BCTRC originated in the early 1970s. The committee is a joint government-industry initiative dedicated to environmental protection and reclamation associated with mining. Membership includes individuals drawn from the Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources, the Ministry of Environment, universities, colleges and industry associations.