July 28, 2010

Construction industry lobbies for mine development in William’s Lake, British Columbia

RICHARD GILBERT

staff writer

The construction and mining industries in B.C. are asking the federal government to support construction of the Prosperity mine project near William’s Lake B.C.

A federal review panel recently completed a report on the project.

“The B.C. construction industry has seen a 25 per cent reduction in employment making an investment like the Prosperity Mine desperately needed to put our people back to work,” said Philip Hochstein, president of the Independent Contractors and Businesses Association (ICBA).

“The project is needed in that region of the province and this type of investment generates a lot of construction. The industry is so in favour of the project, because it promotes both long-term and short-term investment.”

The mine is located about 125 kilometres southwest of Williams Lake.

The ICBA and the Mining Association of British Columbia (MABC) asked the federal government to approve the project as quickly as possible.

“Once up and running, the mine will allow others in the community to invest in their homes and businesses which will provide a more secure future for the local construction community,” said Hochstein.

“We need investment in mining and forestry and the other major industries of the economy for the construction industry to be healthy.”

The federal panel’s report noted significant adverse effects on fish and fish habitat in the Teztan Yeqox (Fish Creek) watershed and that it would infringe on aboriginal rights.

The project will also result in a significant adverse effect on established Tsilhqot’in Aboriginal rights.

However, the panel concluded that the project had no significant effect on 22 of the 24 potential environmental impacts.

“The future of Prosperity now rests with the federal government,” said Russ Hallbauer, president and CEO of Taseko Mines Limited.

“It will be up to cabinet to make the final decision on granting Prosperity federal approval. While we are satisfied with the panel’s conclusions, it must be remembered that the report is advisory only; it will help to inform cabinet but it does not commit cabinet to a particular course of action.”

The findings are similar to the conclusions reached in the provincial environmental assessment, which issued an Environmental Assessment Certificate and approved the project for development earlier this year.

The provincial report stated that the environmental impacts were justified because the lake and the fishery will be replaced and the economic and social benefits generated for British Columbians are so significant.

That was why the province approved the project.

The project will have a total capital cost of $800 million.

During the two year construction period, the project will create 375 jobs a year.

During the project’s life, it is expected to produce70,000 tonnes of mineral ore per day. It will contribute about $340 million to provincial GDP annually, generate $400 million in provincial revenue and $43 million to local and regional government.

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