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Gold/Mining/Energy : Gold and Silver Juniors, Mid-tiers and Producers -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: tyc:> who wrote (36202)	3/16/2007 7:36:52 PM
From: onepath	Respond to of 78416

Friday, March 16, 2007 Firm outlines plans for area gold mine GORDON HOEKSTRA Citizen staff Terrane Metals Corp. is laying a foundation the company hopes will ensure the environmental review of its proposed $750-million gold and copper mine in the Northern Interior goes smoothly. The company held an open house Thursday in Prince George -- the fourth in the past two weeks in the region -- to provide information on the project and get input from the public. The information will help Terrane put together a formal application for an environmental review to the provincial and federal governments, which it hopes to do before the end of the year. "If you don't do your homework, then pieces are missing," said Terrane president and CEO Rob Pease, who was on hand with other company officials to answer questions. The project is the closest new mine proposal to Prince George. It's located about 155 kilometres northwest of Prince George, almost equidistant between the communities of Fort St. James and Mackenzie by logging roads. An open house in Fort St. James attracted about 250 people, while another 130 came out to an event in Mackenzie. Pease said that, generally, the company has been getting favourable support for its project at the open houses. Pease noted that the project will create about 600 construction jobs, another 350 permanent jobs and pump about $80 million into the region annually during its planned 15-year life. He noted most open pit mines find ways to extend their life once in operation. If the review and consultation goes smoothly and the governments give the project the green light, construction could start by 2008 and the mine could be operating by 2010. Pease acknowledged that there are environmental concerns, particularly with the mine's impact on fisheries. The watershed that the mine will be located in includes Rainbow Creek, which flows into the Nation River, a prime fishing area for rainbow trout. The mine project will destroy about two kilometres of a small creek that feeds into Rainbow Creek, but the company plans to offset that habitat destruction by enhancing seven to nine kilometres of other fish-producing creeks. The company has selected a tailings site that is right next to the mine, chosen over two other sites that were also examined in detail. The tailings site will be reclaimed and covered when mining is finished. Pease does not believe the project is a controversial one from an environmental point of view. He noted there is little acid generating rock -- less than 10 per cent -- and that rock generates acid slowly. That means the waste rock will be able to be covered before it has a chance to generate any acid, said Pease. He also noted the area of the mine site is already one impacted by industry, as it is heavily logged and there are many roads in the area. Access to the B.C. Hydro grid is about 80 kilometres away. Pease said the company has also been having discussions with First Nations: the Nak'azdli and the McLeod Lake Indian Band. Terrane is planning to have a live-in camp at the mine site during construction, but not once it is operating. The idea is that it would be a drive-in camp, where the company would pick people up at certain locations. Pease said that has come as a surprise to some people attending the open houses. He said Fort St. James and Mackenzie are both logical pick-up spots, but the roads would need improving from both locations. While the company could handle improving access from one spot, they would need help to improve access from both sides. He said there will be considerable discussion in the next six months on that topic with local communities and the provincial government. ©Copyright 2007 Prince George Citizen -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This page has been accessed times since April 1st, 2002 For all the latest news, sports, & opinions consider a subscription to The Prince George Citizen.