Mining makes up one of British Columbia’s largest industries and revenue sources, but behind the profits, communities and the environment often pay the price for resource extraction and development.

We work collaboratively to address many of the current challenges facing communities and the environment from the mining industry. Wildsight strives to be a leader in bringing science to the forefront of public discourse and policy advocacy. We work locally, regionally, and internationally to advocate for strong and enforceable mining and environmental legislation that upholds Indigenous Rights, effective conservation, and land-use decisions.

We believe that change begins with reforms to British Columbia’s mining laws.

As part of the B.C. Mining Law Reform Network, we advocate for the banning of dangerous mine waste dams, we call for Indigenous rights to be upheld including the free, prior, and informed consent of mining activities on Indigenous territories, the respect and incorporation of mining into land use plans, and ensuring mining companies pay adequate bonding to cover the full cost of reclamation.

We take action on the issues facing mine-affected communities.

Not only do mining activities have the potential to affect local communities and the environment today but long after operations finish. Common threats to communities include water pollution, air pollution, landscape-scale landform changes, and direct threats to wildlife. One of our longest ongoing projects has been the fight to stop selenium pollution in the Elk Valley and transboundary Lake Koocanusa.

Four operational mountaintop removal coal mines are actively leaching selenium into the watershed from waste rock dump sites – a byproduct of mountaintop removal mining. Some of the negative impacts to the valley include threats to high elevation grasslands, population collapses of local fisheries, threats to drinking water and air quality, and methane emissions.

We are doing everything we can through engagement with federal and provincial governments, in court cases, by involvement in working groups, and through community outreach, and on the ground testing and monitoring.

How you can help