Highland Valley Copper was proposing an increase in the rate of dewatering of buried aquifers, which necessitated the completion of an Environmental Impact Assessment as part of the BC Environmental Assessment Office process. Associated Environmental completed an Environmental Impact Assessment and led the process to achieve a Project Approval Certificate at the mine.
The intent was to extend the life of the mine and allow it to remain a critical part of the BC economy. We assessed the potential impacts on hydrology, water temperature, water quality, sediment transport, fish and aquatic resources, wildlife resources, agriculture, and land use. Hydrologic and water quality models were developed that facilitated projections of aquatic effects under a number of management scenarios. The project team also developed comprehensive mitigation and monitoring plans. We successfully led the project through the BC Environmental Assessment Office process.