The Canadian federal government rejected Taseko's first proposal. Public and First Nations concerns over conversion Fish Lake into a mining tailings pond, and findings of an environmental review panel resulted in Environmental Affairs Minister Jim Prentice rejecting the project November 2, 2010.

Minster Prentice described the panel report, as "scathing" and "the most condemning I have ever read."

The review panel found that a Fish Lake mine would cause irreparable damage to both First Nations rights and the environment, including to fish stocks and grizzly populations.

The company is back with a revised proposal. Fish Lake would be surrounded by the proposed open-pit mine and unusable for the life of the mine (up to 33 years). Over time, the water quality in Fish Lake would become "equivalent" to the water quality in the tailings facility, according to the company's own engineering expert.

The nearby Xeni Gwet'in First Nation, member of Tsilhqot'in Nation, strongly opposes this mine and like before, have not been adequately consulted.

"Why are we here again for the second time ... why can't we as first nations focus more on building partnerships with industry?" said Marilyn Baptiste, Chief of the Xeni Gwet'in First Nation.

The Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency (CEAA) will decide whether to accept Taseko's revised project by November 7, 2011.