Prince George, B.C.- The New Gold   Backwater gold and silver mine project could have a final decision  from the  government  by the end of this year.The $1.4 billion dollar project would see an open pit  mine in  an area 116 km west of Prince George and south of Vanderhoof. “Right now, we are gearing up  to starting our exploration in May” says Claudette Gouger, New Gold’s Community Manager.  She says while it  is known the Blackwater deposit is a major deposit she says it is not ‘the’ deposit in the area,  so  they will continue  to  conduct regional exploration looking for more deposits.

The environmental assessment public  comment  process is  nearing,  with Gouger hoping the process could  start in July.   There will be open houses in Vanderhoof and Fraser Lake, in addition to  information sessions in  Prince George and other communities.

“We could see a ministerial  decision on our project  by the end of 2015” says Gouger.

It is estimated the project would  create 1,000 to 1500 jobs during the two year construction period.  The mine  would  support 500 jobs  during  the 17 year projected life of the mine.