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VANCOVER, BC - British Columbia Premiere Gordon Campbell is moving to ban all mining activities in the pristine Flathead River Valley, in an unexpected development, saying mining operations "will not be permitted".

The announcement Tuesday as Lieutenant Governor Steven L. Point delivered the annual Speech from the Throne to the opening session of the B.C. Legislature in Victoria. The news contained in a list of initiatives that Campbell's office intends to pursue in the coming year.

"A new partnership with Montana will sustain the environmental values in the Flathead River Basin in a manner consistent with current forestry, recreation, guide outfitting and trapping uses," Point said. "It will identify permissible land uses and establish new collaborative approaches to trans-boundary issues. Mining, oil and gas development and coalbed gas extraction will not be permitted in British Columbia's Flathead Valley."

The news comes after years of uncertainty over plans to take advantage of the extensive coal resources in the undeveloped valley, which is known as the North Fork on the American side of the border. While environmental groups in both countries have pressured the province to dismiss projects like the Cline Mining Corporation claims, Campbell's office hadn't taken a stance. That left preservation groups worried the economy would take precedence over the environment.

Last year the debate took more of an international tone, after a United Nations delegation visited the valley to explore concerns over how mining could impact not just the valley's wildlife and ecology, but also the adjacent Waterton and Glacier National Parks.