A man who oversaw one of the most environmentally-damaging mines in BC in recent years has been fined $30,000 for his actions.
Benjamin Mossman was CEO of Banks Island Gold, which operated the Yellow Giant Mine when it was shut down in 2015.
Located on Gitxaała territory on Banks Island, west of Hartley Bay, the mine had only just begun operations that same year.
Not long after opening, the Gitxaała Nation began raising concerns over the mine’s operations, leading to a provincial inspection.
Officials found that the mine had released tailings effluent into multiple sensitive waterways, and ordered the mine to shut down until it was in compliance.
But, the company would file for bankruptcy in 2016, and the site would be abandoned.
Mossman was charged with 29 violations under the Environmental and Fisheries Acts, but was found guilty on just 13 in July.
He has now been sentenced to pay a $30,000 fine for the violations, but has already launched an appeal of the decision.
Meanwhile, the Crown is also launching an appeal of the acquittals, with both scheduled to hit the courts in early 2025.
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