qathet Regional District’s board of directors will consider expressing no objection to a Mines Act permit for mineral exploration at Speckle Lake Road on Texada Island.
At the July 5 planning committee meeting, directors discussed a recommendation that the regional board vote on expressing no objection to the mineral exploration application by, Zyrox Mining Company Ltd. The recommendation has the condition that the applicant perform ongoing restoration and rehabilitation of the land as opposed to such action at the time of project completion.
Electoral Area D director Sandy McCormick, in whose electoral area the application is situated, said when she first read the staff report, she had some concerns, mainly about the water capacity that the company would be requiring.
“After having an in-depth dialogue with the chair of the Van Anda Improvement District, I’ve been reassured that they do have sufficient capacity for the new subdivisions that are in place, and to provide water for this operation,” said McCormick. “That concern was largely alleviated.
“I appreciate the staff for including the conditions written into the recommendation that comes directly from our official community plan. It’s crucial that it be rehabilitated as the project goes along. They are drilling up to 75 boreholes and if each one is covered or planted after use, it would be less disruptive.”
McCormick said the other concern she has is about Crescent Bay Road, which this project straddles. She said there are a number of residents living along Crescent Bay Road and there is the golf course, and the oldest continually operating farm.
“My question is to the impact on those people with this proposed project straddling both sides of that road,” said McCormick.
Manager of planning services Laura Roddan said that consultation is the responsibility of the province because the application is to the province.
“However, staff have not received any correspondence in regard to this report being on the agenda,” said Roddan. “We are not aware of any concerns.”
She said the application is in an area designated resource and mining is a common activity on Texada Island.
“I can’t see it creating much conflict,” said Roddan.
Planner Julia Dykstra said there has formerly been industrial activity at the site, including a former lumber mill.
McCormick asked what will be mined at the prospective site. Dykstra said she did not have time to follow up with the applicant, due to limited turnaround time to get a report to the planning committee.
“I was not able to investigate the purpose of their mineral extraction,” said Dykstra.
The planning committee voted unanimously that a recommendation be sent to the regional board advising the ministry of energy, mines and low carbon innovation that the regional district has no objection to the application by Zyrox at Spectacle Lake Road.
