A Comox Valley partnership was among five B.C. mine reclamation projects recognized at the annual BC Mine Reclamation Awards banquet in Kamloops on Sept. 19.
The B.C. Jake McDonald Annual Mine Reclamation Award was presented to the Tsolum River Partnership.
The coalition includes representatives from provincial and federal agencies, non-governmental agencies and private landowners.
They conducted remediation work between 2001 and 2011 to reduce copper leaching from the Mount Washington copper mine, which operated in the 1960s.
"The companies and organizations being recognized are the reason why B.C. is a leader in environmental protection," said Rich Coleman,
Minister of Energy, Mines and Natural Gas. "They are setting an example of how to remain successful while ensuring that B.C.'s mining industry remains environmentally sound."
Quick facts:
• Mine reclamation involves mitigating the effects of modern mining by rehabilitating the disturbed land. Work involves everything from re-establishing vegetative cover, to repairing soil stability and water conditions at the site.
• Mining activities cover less than one per cent of the B.C. land base.
— Ministry of Energy, Mines and Natural Gas