Stop mining in Clayoquot Sound

The B.C. government has renewed mining exploration permits to Imperial Metals for 22 drill pad sites, six trenches, and three helipads in the Tranquil Creek watershed northeast of Tofino, designated as a Tribal Park by the Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation. The Nation has declared mining as a non-permissable activity in its territory in Clayoquot Sound.

In the past, the BC NDP government took steps to respect the land use visions of the Tla-o-qui-aht and other First Nations in the region, most notably through a series of conservancies finalized in 2024. These mining permits are a huge step back.

What you can do

Demand the B.C. government rescind Imperial Metals’ mining permits and respect Indigenous rights and the land use vision of the Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation.

Why does this matter

This activity would infringe on the sovereignty of the Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation and poses a threat to Clayoquot Sound and livelihoods of the people living there.

Points to remember:

(Copy and paste to add to your letter)

  • The BC NDP government must rescind the mining permits issued to Imperial Metals within Tla-o-qui-aht territory.
  • These mining permits are in direct opposition of the Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation’s land use plan and are not permissible.
  • Imperial Metals is the corporation responsible for the Mount Polley disaster that polluted critical salmon habitat in the Fraser River watershed with 25 billion litres of mine tailings. A company with this track record does not belong in a world-renowned ecosystem like Clayoquot Sound.
  • These mining permits jeopardize reconciliation, the environment, and tourism livelihoods if allowed to continue.
  • While these permits are for exploration, which has its own environmental consequences associated with access and drilling, corporations don’t do mineral exploration without planning to build mines if the exploration proves viable deposits are present.
Points to remember:

(Copy and paste to add to your letter)

  • The BC NDP government must rescind the mining permits issued to Imperial Metals within Tla-o-qui-aht territory.
  • These mining permits are in direct opposition of the Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation’s land use plan and are not permissible.
  • Imperial Metals is the corporation responsible for the Mount Polley disaster that polluted critical salmon habitat in the Fraser River watershed with 25 billion litres of mine tailings. A company with this track record does not belong in a world-renowned ecosystem like Clayoquot Sound.
  • These mining permits jeopardize reconciliation, the environment, and tourism livelihoods if allowed to continue.
  • While these permits are for exploration, which has its own environmental consequences associated with access and drilling, corporations don’t do mineral exploration without planning to build mines if the exploration proves viable deposits are present.