Well, I hope this does make the industry safer. As Prospekt has pointed out, modern standards are more stringent that older ones. They should be applied to all operating mines.

As for the Tahltan, they cite Red Chris specifically. Surely it's because it's the most advanced proposed mine in the area, and a massive one at that. Can't blame them for potentially seizing the opportunity to ensure greater safety for their own people and perhaps strengthening their role in environmental stewardship alongside the somtimes slack feds.

I'm not particularly worried about Schaft Creek. This might mean more exacting standards and it may shave a little off the margins to meet those standards but I think we can all live with that.

Let's face it, we need mining. Many mining disasters have occurred before this one -- some that have left a terrible blight on the land, others that have cost numerous lives.

Yet mines continue to operate and new ones are constructed because the demand for metals isn't going to magically disappear.