This episode features an interview with Simon Weibe, a former mineral exploration geologist and Mining Policy and Impacts Researcher with Wildsight.

Wildsight recently commissioned a groundbreaking report shedding light on the staggering costs associated with reversing selenium pollution, estimated at $6.4 billion dollars. Simon unpacks the report's findings and discusses their implications.

We kick off the conversation by exploring Wildsight's mission and what drove them to commission the report. Simon breaks down the science behind selenium contamination, its pathways into BC's waterways, and the ecological havoc it wreaks. The report's revelation that Teck's current reclamation security falls woefully short—$1.9 billion versus the needed $6.4 billion—leads to a discussion on the implications of this gap for future reclamation efforts.

You can access the report here: https://wildsight.ca/2024/03/19/the-elk-valleys-6-4-billion-pollution-problem/

Become a member of Wildsight

We sit down with Francesca Fionda, a reporter from The Narwhal, to discuss the recent investigation she led into BC's mining reclamation funding. Our discussion focuses on the significant shortfall in the funds set aside for reclamation—sometimes referred to as the Reclamation Liability Gap. We also chat about the collaborative nature of the investigation (it was the result of a joint effort by The Narwhal and The Globe and Mail), about the data that were used to tell the story, and about how taxpayers might be forced to foot the bill for mining disasters.

You can read Francesca's investigation here: https://thenarwhal.ca/bc-mining-liabilities-cleanup-costs-taxpayers/

Follow Frencesca on Twitter: https://twitter.com/FrancescaFionda

Learn more about BC Mining Law Reform: https://reformbcmining.ca/

This episode of Beneath the Surface features an interview with journalist and author Christopher Pollon. We navigate the complex terrain of mining in British Columbia through the lens of his provocative book, "Pitfall: The Race to Mine the World’s Most Vulnerable Places."

"Pitfall" explores the role of mining in our past, present, and future, highlighting how the industry is venturing into ever-more remote and sensitive areas in search of metals. Christopher's personal connection to mining, combined with his extensive research, offers a unique perspective on the industry's evolution and its role in sustaining modern life. Among other topics, we chat about the environmental implications of plummeting ore grades and the cultural significance of gold. Christopher sheds light on the critical importance of metals in our lives but also prompts us to consider the ethical dimensions of their extraction.

Learn more about "Pitfall" here: https://chrispollon.com/books/pitfall-the-race-to-mine-the-worlds-most-vulnerable-places/

This episode of Beneath the Surface features an interview with Gavin Smith, a staff lawyer at West Coast Environmental Law. The interview delve into the legal efforts aimed at reforming mineral tenure laws in British Columbia. Gavin unpacks the historical context of mineral claims and their impact on Indigenous lands and rights. The majority of the discussion focuses on the landmark case of Gitxaała v British Columbia, which resulted in a significant legal victory mandating consultation with Indigenous nations before mineral claims can be granted—marking a pivotal moment in the fight for environmental justice and Indigenous sovereignty. Gavin also reflects on his personal journey in environmental law and the importance of a beginner's mindset in advocating for a more just and sustainable future.

The inaugural episode of Beneath the Surface features a discussion with BCMLR co-chairs Nikki Skuce and Jamie Kneen. We chat about the reasons for the creation of BCMLR, the gaps that currently exist in BC's mining laws, and strategy and vision for reforming these laws.

Nikki Skuce is the Director of the Northern Confluence Initiative. Jamie Kneen is the Outreach Coordinator and Canada Program Lead at Mining Watch Canada.

Learn more about BCMLR (and join our network) here: https://reformbcmining.ca/join/