The Sunshine Coast Conservation Association (SCCA) and the Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) are voicing concerns about the destructive effects of Pan Pacific Aggregates' mining exploration at the headwaters of Carlson Creek. But Pan Pacific geologist Richard Munroe said the company is environmentally conscious and it's following all the rules of exploration.
"We have nothing to hide up there," Munroe said. "Everything we've done is under full permit. We're very responsible operators and there's no substance to the issues they're bringing up."
The mining company is doing explorations for mineral deposits in an old growth management area, surrounded by wetlands and recreation areas in the Caren Range. The area is also home to a federally-listed species at risk - the marbled murrelet - and next to fish-bearing streams and lakes.
"The potential for a huge amount of damage is there," said Dan Bouman, SCCA executive director. "They need to stay out of riparian habitats."
Bouman said old growth trees housing migratory birds' nests were destroyed to build a new logging road through the provincially-designated old growth management area (OGMA) 73. Munroe said he wasn't aware there was an endangered species in the area. He added the road in question was an existing road that was built a year ago.
"They might want to count the number of trees because there's not that many cut down," he added.
OGMA designations regulate forestry companies from damaging old growth trees but don't regulate mining companies.
"The first step for the public and environmental advocates is to ask them to respect the environmental values that are there, regardless of what the law says," Bouman said.
According to Bouman, the road runs through wetlands, blocking the watercourse, and construction of the road added sediment and debris to the water. But Munroe said sedimentation fences are put up whenever the operation comes across sediment.
Also, Bouman said, the company has stripped vegetation off a rock face, cleared land and drilled into rock. "That's what mining is all about," Munroe said. "[Pan Pacific workers] are all very well trained in excavation methods."
Through its exploration, the company is seeing what kind of rock is there to try to prove there are enough mineral deposits to justify opening up a mine, Bouman added.
"We don't want our environment to be sacrificed on a speculative scheme that may not pan out," Bouman said.
Munroe said people are welcome to talk to him about concerns or go on a guided tour. However, he is concerned about people coming to the site unannounced because of trespass and safety issues.
"If they have a concern, they can go to the mines branch or talk to us first," Munroe said.
Pan Pacific hired a consulting biologist to assess the area to make sure acceptable practices are met, which Bouman says is a "good move."
Biologist Dave Bates is looking at stream crossing issues. "There's some concern expressed by Coast residents, and that's being explored," Bates said.
After the SCCA brought forward its concerns about the exploration, the SCRD decided it would speak out against mining exploration to the Ministry of Energy and Mines, which grants mining permits.
The SCRD committee is recommending to its board a policy opposing mining exploration and mining permits in sensitive areas. The SCRD also objects to the province's lack of referral to the local government.
