British Columbia in a Global Context Chapter 4 Resources in British Columbia

. RESOURCES IN BRITISH COLUMBIA Learning Objectives . Discuss the difference between biological substances and natural resources . Discuss British Columbia ( richness in resources and link to the economy . Assess the link between resource extraction , land and economy since the . Debate the social and environmental costs associated with mining . Appraise the future prospects for the relationship between Aboriginal people , people and the use of land . 55 . Resources in British Columbia

Introduction Although all living organisms require biological resources ( such as food , water or shelter ) it is the human perspective of a natural resource as anything obtained from the environment to satisfy human needs and wants that gives the term its importance in the context of Geography . British Columbia is rich in natural resources including lumber , copper , coal , natural gas , oil , zinc , gold , silver , nickel , iron and fish . As resource extraction is directly linked to land use and territory , what does this mean for issues of ownership for First Nations communities , and for the sustainability of the environment for residents more broadly ?

The focus of this chapter is on contemporary extraction resource industries and their impact . Introduction 56 What are Resources ?

Traditionally a resource was defined as a product of biological , ecological or geological processes ( natural resources ) that satisfies human wants . Resources are part of an ecosystem and one where it is important to maintain biodiversity and the Earth systems ( et , 1997 ) In more modern times the concept resources has come to refer to processes of capitalism and specifically to notions of development and state formation ( Gregory et , 2009 ) Resources are now in the hands of governments or powerful corporations and the manner in which these resources are managed affects all humans as well as the physical environment . Economic Ecological Views There are three fundamental differences between economic and ecological views on resources . An economic resource is and the ecological resource definition is . An economic view includes desire along with necessity , whereas the biological view is about basic biological needs . Economic systems are based on markets of currency exchanged for goods and services , whereas biological systems are based on natural processes of growth , maintenance and reproduction . Natural resources therefore need be differentiated from resources , such as money , factories , information , labour and computers . Many humans use natural resources without considering the broader consequences of their use . For example every time you get in a car and drive you are using oil that pollutes the atmosphere through the exhaust gases released . When we turn on our gas central heating in the winter we are adding to the level of in the atmosphere . Consider also how oil and gas have a role in international economic and political relations . What is the role of Saudi Arabia or given the world wider dependence on their oil and gas ?

Any substance found in Earth biosphere is simply another part of nature and is of no importance or value economically that is , until society has a use for it . When does a substance become a natural resource ?

When cultural value is given to the substance , as people desire and accept the use of the natural resource . Think of the cultural value and importance for people in to own and drive their own car . Do you own a car ?

Would you like to own a car ?

When it benefits technology and a society is able to process or extract the natural resource for use . Did you know that the original cars by Henry Ford were designed to run on batteries but when the technology to process petroleum was invented it quickly became a much cheaper alternative . When it benefits the economic system and a society can affect or define the price and availability of a natural resource . For example , corporations are now fracking ( hydraulic fracturing ) in the tar sands of as they have the money to do so . In contrast , consider conditions in some Global South countries where power cuts are common occurrences because the government can not afford to pay suppliers for the necessary oil . 57 What are Resources ?

Mining in British Columbia ( is rich in natural resources , and the extraction of these resources has been linked to historical processes . In British Columbia , there are primary natural resources that have deep connections to the provinces past mining , forestry and fisheries . In later chapters we will explore the fisheries and forestry in more detail . In this chapter , we examine mining in British Columbia . Mining in With the signing of the Oregon Treaty in 1846 , boundary country opened up and the exploration of mines grew massively . The mining of coal , metals and minerals began with the gold rush in the and continues today . Some significant factors to note about the mining of metals in include Coal and gold were both mined before the gold rush started . Gold finds were small and only mined for short periods . Gold was predominant until silver was discovered in the late in the . New techniques , including open pit mining , led to new mining developments Copper , lead and zinc were mined By the iron ore was being mined in the Gulf of Georgia The discovery of molybdenum allowed steel to be made much harder when used as an alloy Revenue from British Columbia Natural Resource Mining ( 2013 ) Coal Copper Silver Zinc . Gold Molybdenum Other 43 Figure Revenue from natural resource mining 2013 Coal , which was one of the original resources mined in , is still of great significance today with 31 million tonnes produced in 2013 , representing 43 of natural resource revenues , contributing to close to 400 million to provincial Mining in 58

revenue . Figure illustrates the significance of coal and the other major resources mined in today . The following are facts about mining in today Mining is estimated to be worth billion for the province , almost double what it was in 2001 . The gross mining revenues for the mining industry were billion in 2013 . The number of people working in mining industry in 2013 increased to up from in 2012 . Vancouver is the worlds leading centre of expertise for mineral exploration . and there are at least ! exploration companies located in . Coal accounts for 39 of the total volume handled at the Port of Vancouver . which moves shipments to China , Japan and other Asian markets . I ' a A a an av at an a El ! El if it Figure . Operating mines and selected exploration projects in British Columbia , 2013 , by Ministry of Energy and Mines . Click map for a larger version . If you are reading this in the print version , see the list for the full link to the resource . Social and Environmental Costs It seems , then , that mining is of great importance to the province of and to its local and international economy . But what are the social and environmental costs associated with the mining of natural resources in ?

The greatest social cost has been the access to land and the land rights of First Nations . Up to now the government has signed 14 economic development agreements with First Nations across the province . These agreements commit the provincial government to share up to 37 of the mineral tax from mining operations collected within 59

First Nations traditional territories . Two recent agreements signed with First Nations involve the Huckleberry Mine , a few hundred kilometres from Williams Lake , and the Mine . Mining also presents environmental costs . diverse and pristine physical environment is highly regarded a reason the province is promoted as being one of the best places to live , but mining is threatening this . Water is mining biggest casualty and affects all of residents . There have been several threats to groundwater sources , which is where we get our drinking water from , including in the Greater Vancouver and Victoria areas . The second case study in this chapter focuses on an operational mine and the impact it has on the local people , specifically First Nations people , and the environment . Figure Revenue from natural resource mining 2013 . Created by Hilda adapted from Mining website facts ( Figure Operating mines and selected exploration projects in British Columbia 2013 by Ministry of Energy and Mines ( Mining Pages ) used under ( licenses ) Find a large size version of this map at Mining 2013 Documents Mining in so

Case Study The Gold Rush Figure as the new El by Peter Library and Archives Canada British Columbia experienced two big gold rushes , one in 1858 on the River and the other in 1862 in the district , and a number of smaller gold rushes . In each , tens of thousands of men ( and a few women ) sailed north from California , where the gold rush was coming to an end , to land in Harbour on Vancouver Island , not far from Fort Victoria . Every miner had to fist travel to Victoria in order to obtain a license to prospect and pan for gold in , making the city a services hub for the mining industry . At that time , Fort Victoria was tiny with about 500 immigrants living on southern Vancouver Island . Most of these were Hudson Bay Company employees , farmers and their families . Within two months of the news of the discovery of gold in 1858 , the population grew to over . There was little infrastructure for all these new arrivals and Fort Victoria became a tent city as miners camped while they purchased their mining licenses and all their supplies . Although much of the historical documentation and focus is on the mining for gold during this time , it is also important to note that there was mining happening in other areas , such as coal , oil , natural gas , silver and copper . The expansion of all these other resources occurred after the when the technology for open pit mining was developed . Gold Rush Regions If you are viewing this on the Web , you can use the interactive map here to learn a little more on each of the regions around where gold was discovered and prospecting took place . If you are reading this book in print , the static map shows the regions in a standard map . 61 Case Study The Gold Rush

An interactive or media element has been excluded from this version of the text . You can view it online here eo ?

View gold rush in a larger map Case Study The Gold Rush 62 . 1856 . and Gold Rushes in 1355 a large or gold was brought into Sole The Caribou Gold Rush Gold was the middle ol the River around . 1941 Gold Rush 1941 Fort by members ol the tribe of the . News travelled fast and James Douglas . Governor ol Vancouver lsland , decided to ship it to San for smelting . This action spread the news of the gold and moved the Gold Flush north of the parallel . and rated under the Oregon Treaty . to the control of the British away from the . Creek and Forks . lust below and west of Lake . Because of the remoteness ol the , the Gold Rush not take off until the Creek 1861 and the relocation of the to the creek valleys in the northern Plateau Gold Rush Located Country was part ola number or famous gold strikes and large mining in the area , including the Gold rush and the Plate at . but also including coal at and , and copper at and Copper Mountain . Gold Rush Gold Rush 1850 A . 1350 Queen Charlotte Gold Rush Gold was formally discovered by people near the village on Queen Charlotte lsland . The Gold Flush was but led to the declaration of the Colony ol the Queen Charlene lslands to prevent a takeover by the . The people . who were still very numerous and . were harassed by the prospectors who came in search or the gold . Gold Harbour and later became locations of modern operation . also called or Tasu . but tor iron rather than gold . locals gold the and by 1979 , million ounce gold deposit was by exploratory 361 Gold Rush Rock Creek Gold Rush Peace River Gold Rush Gold Rush . 1861 Gold Rush Bridge River . Gold Rushes drilling by mining companies . Explorations and Minerals . The gold deposit remains an deposit with over million ounces of gold . Figure British Columbia gold rush Regions amd 63 Case Study The Gold Rush The Cassia ! Gold Rush The located In the northwest portion of British Columbia . lust to the northeast of the Country . The Gold Flush was based at Creek and at Creek . ol Creek . More than a dollars worth ol gold was taken the . one prospector the largest nugget ever recorded in at 72 ounce gold nugget . mined from Creek . 1393 Gold Rush was founded as a result of a demand tor gold in the area . By the end mining season ol 1899 , around people had come to the region Although production was greater in its early years , the field still produces today . Total gold production in the area has exceeded . Golden Cache Gold Flush

Women and Chinese prospectors during Gold Rush Women Women played an important role in the era of the gold rush . Many women prospectors searched the rivers of alongside the men or indeed with their husbands or family . But it was the lack of women that also factored into this era . During the earlier periods of the gold rush , there were so few women in the towns that brides were sent for from other parts of the world . An example is the Anglican minister in , Robert Brown , who initiated the Columbia Emigration Society with its sole purpose being to arrange for young women from England to be sent to the as potential brides for the miners ! Figure Woman panning for Gold by Louis Taylor Chinese Prospectors During the gold rush the first Chinese community was established in Canada in . Discrimination toward Asians prevented the Chinese from prospecting anywhere other than on abandoned sites , and so they did not make as much money as the white prospectors . Despite this discrimination , the Chinese community thrived by providing many of the required services to the prospectors who came into the region in the , including operating grocery stores and restaurants . At the height of the gold rush there were as many as Chinese living there . During both the and gold rushes , Chinese immigrants also landed in Fort Victoria , having moved from Case Study The Gold Rush 64

California to escape the discrimination there , and once the gold rush was over , many stayed on . In Victoria , the Chinese started import businesses and worked as small merchants , building a strong community in the city . The first Chinatown in Canada was founded in Victoria in the , and by the end of the there were approximately Chinese living in British Columbia . First Nations during Gold Rush In historical accounts of gold rush , First Nations peoples of the area are overlooked , but they certainly played an important role . The Aboriginal residents were essential to the prospectors , providing them with goods such as canoes and food , and services such as guides and translators . Both Aboriginals and prospectors benefited from the relationship a the Aboriginals wanted to trade and the prospectors needed the goods and access to local knowledge . As the number of prospectors increased in the rush to find gold , their own local knowledge grew and the initial mutually beneficial relationship began to collapse . As time went on First Nations people were marginalized and even terrorized on their own lands . The photograph from 1898 in Figure shows the contrast between the buildings in Vancouver in the background and First Nations peoples attempting to maintain their livelihood on their territory . Figure First Nations people camped on Alexander Street beach at foot of Columbia Street by Major James Skirt Matthews , 1898 Figure as the new El Dorado by Peter Library and Archives Canada , No . Peter Collection of Canadian This image is in the Public Domain and is available from Library and Archives Canada ( archives public 65 Case Study The Gold Rush

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rec rec ) Figure British Columbia gold rush Regions and timeline created by Hilda Figure Women panning for Gold by Louis Taylor is in the Public Domain ( source ) Figure First Nations people camped on Alexander Street beach at foot of Columbia Street by Major James Matthews is in the Public Domain ( source ) Case Study The Gold Rush 66

Case Study Carrier Nation and the Mine Mining in and First Nations peoples In , mines and potential mines often lie in or are close to the traditional lands of First Nations people . The Province is legally obligated to consult and accommodate First Nations on land and resource decisions that could impact Aboriginal interests . Mining is a sword for the Aboriginal people of on the one hand it provides employment and financial gain ( when they are granted proper rights , which is not always the case ) but on the other it interferes with traditional use of lands and significantly harms the environment to which their culture is inextricably linked . Although mining laws do provide some level of protection for First Nations , the laws still favour industry and do not regulate the protections over First Nations land and rights . First Nations peoples face bureaucracy at every corner in terms of registering claims or addressing issues of exploration , production or closing of mining sites in . Unemployment Why do First Nations people engage with mining companies despite the fact that they face unjust treatment and bureaucracy ?

One of the most important reasons is the high unemployment rates in the Aboriginal communities , especially among the youth . Consequently , many Aboriginal people support mining within their land as the industry provides employment and a regular income to many . Since 2001 , Aboriginal people have benefited from increased levels of employment in British Columbia due to the economic growth associated with mining , construction and the services linked to these ( White , Cross , 2006 ) Lax , a small band near , is an example of an Aboriginal group that has had a positive experience with the location of the mines on its land . However , not all experiences are positive and often the local people suffer as does the environment . Carrier Nation The Carrier First Nation , located in the of the province , is one group that has not benefited from mining . 67 Case Study Carrier Nation and the Mine

. Dunn Communities Within The Carrier Language Area Figure Communities within the Carrier Language area Over the last several years there has been considerable increase in mining exploration and activities within the Carrier territory . Both the province of and mining companies are investing in inventories and exploration of minerals . Despite the fact that billions of dollars have been made from the mines on their land , the Carrier communities have gained little or no benefit . Mine Located West of Lake in , the mine is one of the largest molybdenum mines in North America , with reserves amounting to million tonnes of molybdenum ore resulting in tonnes of molybdenum . One of the older mines in British Columbia , is owned by Thompson Creek Metals and began operations in 1965 . It is a major employer in the area and has recently been expanding its operations . Case Study Carrier Nation and the Mine 68

BRITISH COLUMBIA noun Mina . mu I ' ma mo Figure Location of mine Local First Nations ( Stellate en , Wut en ) have filed lawsuits against Mines for failure to consult on the mine expansion occurring today . Another concern is that consultation did not occur initially in the when the mine opened , and the courts have refused to acknowledge First Nations rights and title from that time period to today . Thompson Creek Metals recent expansion of its operations to Mount ( halfway between Fort James and Mackenzie , just southeast of Lake ) is opposed by some First Nations , but nevertheless the mine has been approved . The load out facility will be in Mackenzie and mining is regarded as a new employment asset to the town which is primarily based around logging and lumber . Environmental Issues The Ministry of Environment has identified that effluent from mines is affecting aquatic environment in Francois Lake , just one of many environmental impacts of the mine to the surrounding area . Although the wastewater discharged from the molybdenum mine does not exceed its permit limits ( million cubic metres a year of seepage and from tailings dams and the mine site , which is enough discharge to fill more than swimming pools a year ) monitoring indicates that effluent is affecting the aquatic environment in Francois Lake , the River , and streams originating from the mine site . Specifically , monitoring by the Ministry of Environment indicates that elevated levels of contaminants of concern are reaching Francois Lake and influencing the physiology of the prickly sculpin , normally a fish . The 69 Case Study Carrier Nation and the Mine

Sculpin is a sentinel species , which can provide advance warning of dangers to the environment . These fish are experiencing reduced reproductive capabilities and enlarged liver sizes due to the toxins . Figure Sculpin fish A Ministry of Environment report showed that federal guidelines on guidelines were exceeded at the Creek outlet in Francois Lake , just south of the mine operation at . Sulphate , phosphorus , aluminum and molybdenum were all found in the water . David Bailey , Director of the Environment for Thompson Creek Metals , has said that the evaluation of the latest monitoring results was preliminary , and that a of its permit limits would be up for discussion as part of an ongoing analysis , including with Environment Canada ( 2014 ) However , he maintained that the company would only make changes supported by good science . Moving Forward Chief Martin Louie of Whut en , says that all First Nations and local residents should be concerned that the Mine being allowed to pollute the environment . The problem , in his opinion , is that the mine is old and is therefore operating using outdated practices and poor standards . The pressure on the local ecosystems is of great concern to him and his people and there is a need for discussion with First Nations leaders , industries and government in order to define cumulative impacts . The issue is ongoing for and the land of the Carrier peoples . Figure Communities within the Carrier language area . By Michelle ( wiki File ) under ( licenses ) Figure Location of mine by Hilda derived from British Columbia Map from The Atlas of Canada ( site english maps reference outline ) used under Open Government Licence ( eng ) Figure Area surrounding mine including River and Lake by Hilda derived from British Columbia Map from The Atlas of Canada ( site english maps reference outline ) used under Open Government Licence ( Figure Sculpin fish by Kitty ( wiki File Antlered ) is in Case Study Carrier Nation and the Mine 70

the Public Domain 71 Case Study Carrier Nation and the Mine Summary While all organisms require biological resource to survive , Geography is more concerned with the human perspective of resources and how resources can be used to satisfy human needs . More recently , resources have become connected to processes of capitalism and economic development . Most natural resources are now controlled by governments or by powerful corporations . Resources are often viewed with one of two , often opposing , perspectives Economic or Ecological , and there is a distinction between resources and natural resources . A substance becomes a natural resource when cultural value is giving to a substance , when it benefits society , or when it benefits the economic system . British Columbia is rich with natural resources , and the extraction of these resources has had a major influence on the development of British Columbia . Mining in represents 43 of natural resource revenues , with coal alone accounting for 39 of the total volume of goods shipped from the Port of Vancouver . However , mining also comes with social and environmental costs , including strained relations with First Nations regarding land access and threatening the provinces water system . British Columbia was the site of a number of gold rushes from during which the first Chinese community was established in the province in . Both women and First Nations had important , but often underrepresented roles during this period . Women often panned for gold alongside male miners , while First Nations knowledge of the local geography made them valuable guides until miners were familiar enough with the land that they did not need the services of First Nations guides anymore and First Nations people were marginalized on their own lands . Indeed , the relationship between mining and First nations in British Columbia has historically been seen as a double edged sword , bringing economic benefits to First Nations communities on one hand , while often interfering with their traditional use of the land . This uneasy relationship is illustrated in the second case study which examines the relationship between The Carrier Nation and Thompson Creek Metals and the Mine . Summary 72

Key Terms Boundary country A historical designation for a district in southern British Columbia lying , as its name suggests , along the boundary between Canada and the United States . An of water or gas from a natural body of water , or from a structure . Molybdenum A , hard transition metal . Sculpin A type of fish . occur in many types of habitat , including ocean and freshwater zones . They live in rivers , submarine canyons , kelp forests and shallow littoral habitat types , such as . 73 Key Terms

Suggested Activities Suggested Activities Activity I On the interactive map of select the different types of mining taking places across the province and answer the following questions What are the five different types of landscapes illustrated in the map ?

What is the relationship between the types of mines you see and the type of landscape ?

How many mines are currently in operation across ?

Where are most of the mines located ?

How many are coal mines ?

Where are they mainly located ?

How many are metal mines ?

Where are they mainly located ?

How many are industrial mineral operations ?

Where are they mainly located ?

Activity On a map of British Columbia , locate Yale , which is just north of Hope , on the River . Hope is directly east of Vancouver and directly north of Ross Lake in Washington . Follow Highway north to Cache Creek and then continue north on Highway 97 to At , go east to Lake Provincial Park , and just before coming to the Lakes you will find . What is like as a town today ?

Can you find anything on its historical significance ?

Activity Using the historical gold rush interactive can you find out anything on the smaller gold rushes between 1859 and 1869 ?

What region of were they located in ?

The Big Bend gold rush was in an area of the upper Columbia River which was extremely remote from any form of Nations civilization in that period . It was impossibly remote from the River , but some . Interactive map of . Interactive Gold Rush map on Google Maps ?

Suggested Activities 74 managed to reach the Big Bend rush overland up the Rocky Mountain Trench from what is now Montana , or up the Columbia River itself . Imagine you are a prospector stating from Victoria , making the journey to area . Create a map of your journey on Google maps as it would look today and write 10 posts documenting your trip . Activity Watch the two videos Mining Watch Canada A Video and Sacred both created by the organization Mining Watch , and answer these questions Who is impacted most by mining ?

Why should we care about the rivers ?

What resources are we losing from mining ?

Activity We must do the responsible work . It is one thing to dig the earth . It is another to care for it ( anonymous First Nations saying ) What do you understand by this saying ?

What does it tell you about the importance of the relationship between people and the land ?

Can you think of an example in where this relationship is being threatened or is broken ?

Activity Skim this Globe and Mail newspaper articles from February 2013 and answer the questions What is worse than environmental costs , according to Darlene Simpson ?

Locate the Lax Band land on Google maps . What environmental features located in the area would be affected by the mining ?

What employment has the mining brought to the people in the area ?

What is mined in the area ?

Mining Watch Canada A Video Profile . Sacred Headwaters . Globe and Mail newspaper article for activity news columbia 75 Suggested Activities Suggested Activities 76 Figure ( top photo ) Miners me up in Custom House to mine ( bottom photo ) miners in the field Figure . Miners line up in Custom House Victoria for certificates to mine during the Klondike gold rush by James Matthews ( 77 Suggested Activities ) is in the public domain and Photograph of miners during the gold rush by unknown ( wiki File Photo , of Miners During the Gold Rush NARA ) is in the public domain Suggested Activities 78 References and Resources References Ministry of Energy and Mines Mining Pages British Columbia From the Earliest Times to the Present Vol . and . British Columbia 2013 Mining Documents , de Groot , Sutton , and van den Belt , 1997 . The value of the worlds ecosystem services and natural capital . Nature 387 . Gregory , Pratt , Watts , and , 2009 The Dictionary of Human Geography and Oxford History of Gold Rush exhibits , frames , Gordon 2014 . mine effluent affecting aquatic environment in . Document . URL technology 9514940 ( accessed ) Miller , and , 2011 . Living in the Environment Principles , Connections , and Solutions ( Belmont , CA Publishing . of ( White , and Cross . 2006 . The west coast boom . Economic Observer . Vol . 19 , no . May . Statistics Canada Catalogue no . accessed June 11 , 2014 ) Resources Natural Resources in British Columbia History of Mining in History of Boundary Country and mining in Mining in British Columbia Industrial Mineral Metal and Coal Operations in British Columbia Carrier Nation 79 References and Resources