It’s Time to Hit Pause on Glencore’s Attempt to Expand the Fording River Mine

Through February 15, the British Columbia and Canadian governments are accepting public comments on a major proposed expansion of Glencore’s Fording River coal mine.

If approved, the project would add nearly 5,000 acres of new mining, generating billions of pounds of additional waste rock, the primary source of selenium pollution already contaminating waters flowing through British Columbia, Montana, and Idaho. The expansion would also destroy Castle Mountain, eliminating rare high-elevation grasslands that provide critical habitat for bighorn sheep, grizzly bears, and other wildlife.

The International Joint Commission (IJC), designated under the Boundary Waters Treaty of 1909, helps Canada, the U.S., and the transboundary Ktunaxa Nation prevent and resolve this type of international water dispute. The IJC is overseeing a process of developing long-term recommendations that incorporate both western science and indigenous knowledge, to address mining pollution in this watershed. Approving mine expansions before this work is complete would undermine the entire effort.

We need your help to stop Glencore from committing further damage. When writing decision-makers, consider pulling from the following prepared talking points: 

The IJC Needs to Finish Its Work. There’s a long history of cooperation between Canada and the United States in protecting shared waters; the Boundary Waters Treaty has stood the test of time and diplomacy. The International Joint Commission is currently developing recommendations to address mining pollution in the Elk–Kootenai watershed, an important step toward durable solutions that incorporate both western science and indigenous knowledge. Please immediately stop the permitting process for the Fording River Extension Project until the IJC has completed its work and its recommendations can be fully considered. Moving ahead before that process concludes would risk undermining a collaborative effort that benefits both countries and the entire transboundary Ktunaxa Nation.

Meet Water Quality Goals First. Selenium levels in waters flowing from the Elk Valley into Lake Koocanusa continue to exceed Lake Koocanusa’s water quality objective of 0.8 µg/L at the international border. That standard was developed specifically to protect fish and aquatic ecosystems, and meeting that standard on the Canadian side of the border would benefit everyone. Please require that this objective be consistently met before moving forward with permitting the Fording River Mine expansion. Downstream communities and fisheries should not bear additional risk while existing pollution problems remain unresolved.

Downstream Communities Matter Too. People and local economies in Montana and Idaho depend on water flowing from British Columbia. Pollution from Elk Valley mines does not recognize international boundaries or disputes, and its effects on fisheries are felt far downstream. Please carefully consider these transboundary impacts and stop the permitting process for the Fording River Mine expansion until effective, long-term pollution controls are proven to work.

Respect Indigenous Rights and Leadership. Indigenous Nations on both sides of the U.S.-Canada border have raised serious concerns about cumulative mining impacts to water, fish, and cultural resources. The IJC process offers an important and historic opportunity to incorporate Indigenous knowledge and rights into lasting solutions, with the Ktunaxa Nation holding their rightful seats at the negotiation table. Please ensure that the Fording River Mine expansion does not proceed until their concerns are meaningfully addressed and water quality protections are strengthened.

Strengthen Trust Through Precaution. Despite the current unfortunate state of geopolitical affairs, Canada and the U.S. still share responsibility for protecting waters along our shared boundary. Taking a precautionary approach now regarding approvals for the Fording River Mine Extension — by waiting for the IJC’s recommendations and meeting existing water quality objectives — would be a powerful way to demonstrate leadership. Please pause the permitting process for Fording River Extension Project until those conditions are met.

Together we can prevent Glencore from further degrading our waterways and continue a powerful legacy of transnational water protection. Take action today by writing Fording@iaac-aeic.gc.ca!