Bonaparte Mine (Image Credit: Ministry of Environment and Parks)

By James Peters

Environmental Management Act

Operator of dormant Kamloops-area mine fined $222k for burying garbage

Dec 16, 2025 | 4:04 PM

KAMLOOPS — The province’s Ministry of Environment and Parks has fined the operator of a dormant Kamloops-area mine more than $200,000 for illegally burying garbage on the mine site.

The fine of $222,099 was levied against WestKam Gold Corporation, who operates the Bonaparte Mine about 30 kilometres north of Kamloops.

When an inspector visited the mine on August 1, they noticed scrap material either lying around the site or actively being buried in a large excavated hole.

According to the inspector, the debris included a hot water tank, rubber mat, metal or plastic tubing, woody debris, insulation, computer chips, Styrofoam, an electrical panel, metal wires, metal pipes, metal siding and oil containers.

The report notes WestKam CEO Peter Laipnieks had previously told the ministry his company had given up its mining permit after active mining stopped in 2018. However, the province’s records show the company has not sought to cancel the permit, meaning it is still active.

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In levying the penalty, Environmental Management Act Director Jennifer Mayberry noted the company was given the chance to respond with an ‘Opportunity to be Heard’ submission, but the ministry did not receive one.

More information on the inspections and decisions can be found here.