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Supporters rally behind mine project |
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Written by GORDON HOEKSTRA
Citizen staff
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Tuesday, 25 November 2008 |
Often citing the impacts of the forest downturn and the need to diversify the region's economy, Northern Interior B.C. municipalities, Chambers of Commerce and economic development agencies have told the province they support Terrane Metals' proposed $917-million gold and copper mine.
The supporters include the city of Prince George, Fort St. James, Vanderhoof and Mackenzie, as well as Initiatives Prince George, the 16-97 Economic Alliance and the Omineca Beetle Action Coalition. More than two dozen residents in the region have also weighed in, almost all citing support.
However, one environmental group says the Mount Milligan project should go to a higher federal government panel review, and some First Nations continue to cite concerns.
The input, directed to the B.C. Environmental Assessment Office and available at at www.eao.gov.bc.ca, is part of a provincial regulatory review of the proposed mine, 155 kilometres northwest of Prince George. The province's 180-day review period ends in early March, when it will forward recommendations to the B.C. government. The federal government is also undertaking a review, which is lagging the province's process.
The mine is one of the few major projects that could create new employment in the Northern Interior. If it receives the green light by the province -- and also passes federal government muster -- the earliest construction could start would be late 2009.
The mine, which has an estimated 15-year life, would create 400 permanent jobs and is expected to be a benefit to the two closest communities, Fort St. James and Mackenzie, but also to Prince George, a service and supply centre for the region. Terrane Metals has estimated that the operating mine will pump $85 million a year into the regional economy
"With the recent decline in forestry-related industries, the new employment and income offered by the mine will be a welcome benefit to the region," Mayor Colin Kinsley wrote to the assessment office recently.
In providing its support, the District of Mackenzie noted that the community has been hit hard by the forestry downturn, which has been led by a collapse in U.S. housing. More then 1,800 jobs have been lost in the community of 4,500, the district's chief administrator, Warren Waycheshen, highlighted in a letter to the Environmental Assessment Office.
Added Vanderhoof mayor Len Fox: "This project offers an opportunity for economic diversification for Vanderhoof at a time when our primary industries -- forestry and agriculture -- are experiencing a downturn."
Initiatives Prince George, the city's economic development agency, told the provincial assessment office that the Mount Milligan project will be an important economic stimulus to Prince George and the region at a time when communities are struggling with continuing adjustment in the forest industry. "The project will infuse new jobs, wealth, and directly support goals for growth and diversification of the Prince George economy and the region overall," said Initiatives Prince George official Katherine Scouten.
The Fort St. James Chamber of Commerce says it is confident the project will create a much-needed addition to the Fort St. James economy while complying with all environmental regulations. "The additional employment opportunities for aboriginal and non-aboriginal residents will provide a sustainable platform for the economic base of Fort St. James," said Fort St. James chamber president Allan Howell.
Residents in the region also cited the need to diversify the economy in the midst of the forestry downturn. "Go ahead. It's good for most people, particularly residents of Fort St. James and Mackenzie," one Prince George resident told the province's assessment office.
Fort St. James has also been hit hard by the forest downturn. One sawmill has been closed for more than a year, and the Pope and Talbot sawmill wen down a year ago during bankruptcy proceedings. The sawmill has since been purchased by a privately owned company, Conifex, however the mill has not reopened.
Not all of the input during the review has been supportive.
Mining Watch Canada, an Ottawa-based group, has suggested the project be given further scrutiny under a panel review, which would be led by the federal government. A panel review is a higher-level undertaking than is being considered by the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency now, and would involved a more lengthy time line and formal public hearings.
The mine should be subject to the higher review because it impacts important fish habitat, and there are unresolved First Nations concerns and disagreement on the project, Mining Watch Canada official Ramsey Hart told the B.C. Environmental Assessment Office.
The Nak'azdi First Nation, to west of the mine site, has said it is not necessarily opposed to the project but has environmental concerns. The First Nation has also said it wants a bigger role in the assessment of the project. The McLeod Lake Indian Band has given support for the project.
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Last Updated ( Tuesday, 25 November 2008 )
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