Prince George, BC – The provincial government has issued an environmental assessment certificate with conditions that, once met, will allow construction to begin on the proposed $450-million dollar Brucejack gold and silver mine northwest of Stewart, BC.

Pretium Resources says the underground mine will be built approximately 65-kilometres northwest of that community, with tailings to be stored underground in spent mine workings and in Brucejack Lake.  It is projected to produce up to 2700 tonnes of ore per day.  According to Victoria, this reflects best-available technology as recommended by the independent panel that investigated the Mount Polley failure.

The environmental assessment certificate has 15 legally enforceable conditions, including several centred around determining the effects on water quality, the effectiveness of the proposed water treatment plants, and the impact on the Unuk River.  The conditions require Pretium Resources to provide the necessary additional information before construction begins.

The Brucejack mine would create 500 jobs during its two-year construction period and 300 jobs during a minimum 16-year operating life.