Extra Kemess Hearings Announced

By 250 News

The dates have been set for the additional public hearings into the proposed Kemess North Copper-Gold Mine Project . 

The Joint Review Panel has announced the hearings will take place in Smithers from May 14 to 17, 2007.

The Panel’s Terms of Reference were amended in December to add an extra 90 days to the review process to allow time for Governments and First Nations to resolve outstanding issues with respect to participation in the Panel process and to include an option to hold additional hearings if required.

Northgate Minerals Corporation proposes to develop the Kemess North copper and gold deposit, 250 km northeast of Smithers. The proposed Project would be located 6 km north of its existing Kemess Mine, which is projected to close in late 2009. 

 The Project would result in present day milling capacity at the operating Kemess mine being increased from the current 55,000 tonnes per day to up to 120,000 tonnes per day. One of the infrastructure plans calls for the use of  Duncan ( Amazay ) Lake  for  mine tailings.

The Joint Review Panel  says it has recently  heard from the  Federal and Provincial Governments that based on recent discussions with the Gitxsan House of Nii Kyap and the Tse Keh Nay about funding and participation in the panel process, it is likely First Nations are now in a position to provide additional information to the Panel.

The Panel intends to hold hearings specifically to obtain additional information from First Nations, particularly new information on traditional use and socio-economic conditions. The hearings will also provide an opportunity to other parties who may wish to provide final submissions to the Panel in person. Final submissions may also be submitted in writing.

The hearing will start on Monday, May 14 at 9:00 a.m. at the Hudson Bay Lodge in Smithers.

Anyone wanting to make a presentation is asked to register with the Panel secretariat by May 4.

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