Some members of the Tsilhquot’in First Nations said they will do whatever it takes to halt a proposed open pit gold and copper mine 125 kilometres southwest of Williams Lake, B.C.

Vancouver — About 30 members of the bands — which are also known as the Chilcotin First Nations — and their supporters rallied outside a downtown Vancouver hotel where the Mining Association of B.C. was holding a reception on Wednesday night.

Loretta Williams, the band’s mining co-ordinator, said the open pit for the Prosperity mine proposed by Taseko Mines would be more than a kilometre in diameter and half a kilometre deep, effectively destroying a pristine part of their traditional territory.

The group is also concerned that the mine would use nearby Fish Lake and the surrounding valley to store tailings and waste rock, and a 125-kilometre transmission line would have to be installed to provide power, said Williams.

“We are totally opposed to both the proposed construction of the transmission and also the destruction of Fish Lake. We are concerned about our way of life and our salmon,” said Williams.

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