Prince George, B.C. - With the Kemess South Mine expected to  wrap  up production next year,  who would have  thought  Kemess North would be back on the  B.C.  mining radar?

 

It has been just three years since the Joint Review panel recommended the province and Federal government not approve the Kemess North mine project.

 

That decision was based on the potential loss of a lake in the territory claimed by by the Gitxsan and TseKeh Nay "The loss of the natural lake would be viewed as culturally and socially detrimental by aboriginal people, and the panel considers this effect to be significant" read the decision.

 

At the time, Northgate CEO Kenneth Stowe made some harsh comments about the decision, saying it was illogical, and that  the  project was the “sacrifice on the altar of unresolved land claims in British Columbia.”   It was thought Northgate would not return to B.C. once the Kemess South mine has reached the end of its life.

 

Never say never.

 

CEO Kenneth Stowe has told the Denver Fold Forum in Colorado, that Northgate is looking at possibly operating Kemess North as an underground mine, not open pit as was originally proposed. That would eliminate  the need for a new tailings pond while making use of  existing infrastructure.

 

Initial test drill holes  have shown some positive results. Stowe told the forum in Colorado Northgate expects to complete a new underground resource estimate early in the new year and if all the information is positive, it is possible Kemess North could begin operations within the next three or four years, depending on which mining method it selects.