Taseko Mines Ltd. has been informed by the federal government they need to provide more information for a revised project plan for its Prosperity gold and copper mine.
Taseko president and CEO Russ Hallbauer said Friday the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency asked for the additional information, and they are preparing it.
In a conference call with analysts to discuss the company's $148.6-million 2010 profit, Hallbauer highlighted that B.C.'s newly-minted Premier Christy Clark wants to see the project go ahead.
In her first meeting with Prime Minister Stephen Harper earlier in the week, Clark pressed the prime minister to push the project forward.
"We will work as hard and diligently as possible to ensure we do the right things for the project and its many stakeholders," added Hallbauer.
The $800-million Prosperity mine, south of Prince George in the Williams Lake area, was rejected by the federal Conservative government earlier this year over significant environmental impacts identified in a federal panel review.
Harper's government has been clear it will not consider the project as planned, but has said the company can file a revised plan if it addresses all the environmental concerns.
Taseko has said its resubmitted plan for the Prosperity project will reduce environmental impacts and preserve Fish Lake.
Taseko said it was able to produce a more-costly redesign that preserves the lake because the long-term prospects of copper and gold prices have increased significantly. The company estimated the redesign will add $300 million in construction and operating costs.
First Nations, which opposed the original mine plan, have been skeptical.
