British Columbia has implemented a ban on new jade mining in its northwest region, citing damage to alpine environments. This decision has left some industry members, including Cassiar Jade Contracting president Tony Ritter, perplexed.
Last week, the province issued an Environment and Land Use Act order that halts jade mining activities on new tenures. However, current tenure holders listed in the order will be allowed to continue mining jade for five more years, with stricter reclamation requirements.
Ritter expressed confusion over the government’s approach, describing it as “very vague” during a phone interview with The Northern Miner.
Since 2020, Cassiar Jade has been prohibited from mining the green gemstone. The government began deferring jade mining permits under the Environment and Land Use Act in May of that year and has extended the deferral repeatedly since then.
In March, Cassiar and Glenpark Enterprises filed a civil lawsuit against the province seeking financial damages. Ritter declined to comment on the lawsuit.
The new ban does not affect other mining operations in the region or impact existing or new jade tenures in other parts of the province, according to a news release from the Ministry of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation.
Jade mining currently takes place in the Dease Lake, Mount Ogden, and Cassiar regions.
The ministry stated that the cumulative impact of jade mining in northwestern B.C. is damaging sensitive alpine environments. Additionally, it highlighted regulatory challenges for permitting, compliance, and enforcement due to the remote locations accessible only by helicopter.
The order aims to address environmental impacts while allowing existing tenure holders time to wind down operations over five years.
The ministry mentioned collaboration with local First Nations and input from the industry to address concerns about environmental impacts in the Turnagain region, emphasizing the need to protect these areas from further harm.
‘Punishing entire industry’
Ritter, whose company has mined jade east of Dease Lake for about 20 years, mostly for customers in Taiwan, China, New Zealand, and North America, expressed frustration. Before the ban, he would mine between 60 and a few hundred tonnes of jade annually.
The ongoing ban has damaged Ritter’s business, with customers no longer viewing Canada as a reliable jade source. As a result, he received an unusual partnership offer from the Taliban to help develop Afghanistan’s jade industry, but security concerns have postponed the trip.
Ritter stated that the inactivity has reduced the value of his company and its jade tenure to “less than zero,” turning it into a liability.
The Tahltan Nation has criticized jade mining as “unregulated and unethical.” Ritter acknowledged these concerns, noting that his company has maintained good relations with the Tahltan and received their support for reclamation efforts. He believes the government is penalizing the entire industry for the actions of a few irresponsible operators.
Ritter plans to join an industry working group on the jade mining changes but insisted on not signing a non-disclosure agreement to participate.